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This Hawaiian Pineapple Coleslaw shines up any meal with its zingy crunch and sunshine-bright flavors, no matter the weather. You’ll taste sweet pineapple in every bite. Creamy Greek yogurt takes the place of mayo for a lighter vibe, and a sprinkle of macadamia nuts brings a satisfying crunch. Make it for your next potluck, picnic, or as an easy dinner side—it’s a crowd-pleaser you can throw together fast.
I first served this quirky slaw to my dad, who’s stubborn about his sides, and he surprised us all by going for seconds. Now our family asks for it every summer when the grill comes out.
Bold Ingredients
- Macadamia nuts: Go for roughly chopped ones—they’re sweet, crisp, and super tasty. Roasted nuts make it even better.
- Canned pineapple tidbits: These juicy chunks turn every scoop tropical. Drain off the juice and they’re ready to use.
- Coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage: Red and green mix pops with color, or just use green for mellow taste. You want it fresh and snappy.
- Black pepper: A bit of grind adds gentle warming heat—freshly cracked is the way to go here.
- Kosher salt: Salt brings all the flavors together and helps everything pop. Look for the kind that’s a little flaky.
- Pineapple juice: Set aside the juice from your pineapple can and add it in—it really boosts the natural sweetness.
- Apple cider vinegar: This adds a clean tang. Unfiltered is extra punchy, if you’ve got it.
- Dijon mustard: Brings sharpness and some zip to the party. Get a creamy one for smooth blending.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Your main creamy base. Pick a thick, full-fat kind if you want the silkiest result and a little richness.
Easy Steps
- Chill or Serve:
- If you like more snap, serve straight away. But if you want the flavors to meld and the slaw a little softer, pop it in the fridge for a bit. The longer it chills, the softer it’ll get, so taste as you go.
- Combine Everything:
- Pour that creamy dressing over the salad base, then gently fold everything together. Use tongs or a big spoon to coat each bit, making sure the dressing works in well.
- Mix Up the Base:
- In a large mixing bowl, toss your coleslaw mix or cabbage, chopped macadamia nuts, and drained pineapple tidbits. A couple forks or your hands make it easy to get pineapple bits everywhere.
- Stir Up the Dressing:
- In a medium bowl, shake together Greek yogurt, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk till it’s lump-free and smooth. This is your flavor bomb!
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Greek yogurt totally wins me over here. It makes everything so light and fresh. My kids actually choose this over the heavy kind. We once took it for a beach lunch, and the bowl got emptied before sandwiches were even unwrapped.
Keeping It Fresh
Move any extras to a sealed container and keep them chilled for two days, tops. For most crunch, eat soon after mixing.
Swap Options
No macadamia nuts? Toss in roasted cashews or almonds instead. If you want to go dairy-free, coconut yogurt keeps that tropical vibe. Got fresh pineapple? Chop it and toss out the juice so things don’t get soggy.
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How to Serve
This slaw goes amazingly with teriyaki chicken skewers or loaded pulled pork sandwiches. Slide it alongside grilled fish tacos or a hearty veggie burger for double the island feels.
Hawaiian Twist
Hawaiian favorites mix sweet, savory, and tangy for an unbeatable combo. Throwing pineapple and macadamia nuts into slaw gives it a real taste of the islands. Plus, using Greek yogurt keeps it breezy—perfect for warm porch dinners.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → How's this slaw stand out from the regular kind?
Instead of mayo, this one uses Greek yogurt, then gets a sweet kick from pineapple pieces and a nutty crunch from macadamias. Totally different vibe.
- → Is it okay to make this ahead of time?
For sure! Whip it up and stick it in the fridge. Just know it'll get a little softer as it hangs out.
- → Which pineapple is best here?
Go for canned pineapple tidbits if you want it easy and sweet, but fresh pineapple works too if you chop it small.
- → How would you make this without dairy?
Easy fix—just use your favorite non-dairy yogurt instead of Greek yogurt. Done!
- → Can I swap in a different nut if I don’t have macadamias?
Yep. Toasted cashews or even sliced almonds do the trick if you’re out of macadamias.