Creamy Tahini Coleslaw (Mayo-Free and Vegan)

Creamy tahini coleslaw is a fun vegan alternative to classic mayo-based coleslaw. It's a little spicy, tangy, and perfect for summer barbecues!

Coleslaw (aka slaw) is probably one of the most spring/summer recipes ever. It's the perfect addition to burgers, tacos, or just enjoyed on a plate of macaroni salad and with BBQ tofu!

Coleslaw haters beware, this tahini coleslaw recipe is mayo-free and packed with nutrition!

Crunchy cabbage is tossed in a tangy, creamy tahini sauce, then topped with pumpkin seeds for this twist on the classic recipe.

Jump to:

• What is tahini?
• How to make tahini coleslaw
• Cabbage and nutrition
• More ways to use tahini
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What is tahini?

Tahini is made from toasted ground hulled sesame. It's the same seed that you see on burger buns, but this time the seeds have been toasted and ground up to form a nutty, flavorful, and creamy spread.

Tahini is used in hummus, salad dressings, and even works well as a pasta sauce.

Tahini is a flavorful and healthy swap for mayo in creamy recipes. Sesame seeds are high in healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats, zinc, and copper.

Using tahini in place of mayonnaise is a healthy and fun way to amp up your classic coleslaw recipe!

Soom makes my favorite tahini, but you can also find tahini at most grocery stores in the International or sauce aisle.

How to make tahini coleslaw

Lucky for us, coleslaw is very simple to make. I use prepackaged coleslaw mix, but you can chop up a head of cabbage yourself if you prefer.

One head of cabbage makes a lot more shredded cabbage than is needed for one batch of tahini coleslaw, so plan for leftover cabbage to be used in fried rice or even vegetarian reubens.

Start by mixing the tahini dressing ingredients together in a large bowl until creamy. The goal is to have a salad dressing consistency, like ranch dressing.

Add the coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage to the tahini dressing. Then just mix, stir, and toss with pumpkin seeds.

And that's it: spicy tahini coleslaw! Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Cabbage and nutrition

Did you know that cabbage is packed with nutrients? Cabbage belongs to the cruciferous vegetable category alongside nutrition powerhouses like kale and broccoli.

This inexpensive veggie is high in vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber, which are all important to a healthy diet.

More ways to use tahini

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📖 Recipe