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Have you ever had one of those mouthwateringly perfect pulled pork sandwiches? You know, the ones dripping with barbecue sauce and finished with a big scoop of creamy coleslaw? A truly great pulled pork sandwich has a medley of ingredients: a tangy, sweet barbecue sauce, pull-apart tender pork, and crunchy, creamy coleslaw. Just as coleslaw finishes barbecue it also finishes tacos and burritos. I’m switching up the run-of-the-mill coleslaw for a Tex-Mex coleslaw that’s simple and takes just a few tweaks.
Coleslaw comes in so many forms: sweet, sour, creamy, or vinaigrette. The classic is a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. For a Tex-Mex inspired version, I opted to keep the mayonnaise and add lime juice for a sharp edge. But the southwestern flavor really comes into play with the spices:
- Chipotle for smokey heat
- Chili powder for spice
- Cumin for warmth.
To balance everything out, a little honey is needed. It adds just enough sweetness to really taste the flavors.
No matter the type of salad, I need some texture. In this coleslaw, the texture is, of course, easy with the red cabbage. But the addition of shredded carrot adds sweet, crunchy bursts of flavor.
For yet another layer of texture, corn is a must. While it’s definitely not traditional in a coleslaw, corn is wholly normal in southwestern dishes. The summer months mean fresh corn on the cob. Cutting the corn from the cob then sautéing it adds an element to the coleslaw that will make you crave even more.
The last element, and by far my favorite, is crushed tortilla chips. Just like nuts, ramen, and chow mein, tortilla chips add a needed crunchy factor. Choose your favorite chip, crush them up, and sprinkle in copious amounts over the coleslaw. The added crunch adds contrast to the creamy dressing.
This coleslaw has become my go-to for anything Tex-Mex. Breakfast burritos, tacos, shrimp: the pairing options seem endless!
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Watch how to make this Tex-Mex coleslaw
Tex-Mex Coleslaw
Ingredients
For the dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp honey
For the salad
- 1 lb shredded red cabbage
- 2 carrots peeled and shredded
- ¾ cup chopped scallion (white and light green parts)
- 1 orange pepper seeded and diced
- 1 ½ cups sautéed fresh sweet corn (about 2 ears)
- 2 cups tortilla chips crushed
Instructions
For the dressing
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, salt, chipotle powder, chili powder, cumin, and honey.¾ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup sour cream, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp chipotle powder, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp honey
- Whisk until smooth and set aside.
For the salad
- Start by preparing the corn. Using a sharp knife, cut the corn kernels off the ear. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil into a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook until bright yellow and tender, 4-6 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.1 ½ cups sautéed fresh sweet corn (about 2 ears)
- Shred the cabbage into a large mixing bowl. Add the shredded carrot, scallion, orange pepper, and cooled corn. Stir to combine and pour on the dressing.1 lb shredded red cabbage, 2 carrots, ¾ cup chopped scallion (white and light green parts), 1 orange pepper
- Stir and if serving immediately, top with tortilla chip pieces.2 cups tortilla chips
