Healthy BLT Slaw Recipe

Published: May 4, 2017 · Modified: May 2, 2022 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 8 Comments

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Once you taste this healthy BLT Slaw recipe, you’ll want to make it for every summertime potluck and barbecue! Plus, it's a breeze to make.

There are some recipes that swoop into your life like a super hero streaking towards a hapless victim. That's a lot of pressure to put on a salad, but this BLT slaw recipe saved my behind when I was in a pinch last week.

We were invited to the first "come one, come all" potluck barbecue in our new neighborhood, but it conflicted with one of my son's last soccer games of the high school season. Not to mention the fact that I had a fever, a nasty cough and a sore throat. Good times. The last thing I wanted to do was show up late, then infect all of our new neighbors (not in the "how to make friends" handbook), so we declined the invitation.

On the day of the barbecue, our new friends up the street invited my younger son to join in the fun, even though the rest of us couldn't. He could hang out with the other kids and be fed by the neighborhood village. To him, watching ANOTHER one of his brother's seemingly endless soccer games felt like a death sentence (the drama!), so he was thrilled!

I was determined not to be that neighbor who sent their kid to the party empty-handed and ready to eat everyone else's food. The fever and coughing was in full swing and the thought of running to the store for even a container of store-bought cookies sounded hideous. So, I rummaged through the fridge and managed to find some cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, bacon and some limes.

And so this BLT slaw was born.

I put myself on autopilot, prepping enough cabbage, carrots and tomatoes to fill a bowl. I threw in some cilantro, cooked and crumbled some bacon and made a 30-second honey lime dressing.

Salad done. Neighborly relations intact.

This salad is so easy and delicious that it has earned a place as my new summertime potluck go-to recipe. If you want to make the salad earlier in the day, combine all of the chopped veggies, whisk together the dressing and cook the bacon. Toss everything together just before serving.

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Once you taste this BLT Slaw recipe, you’ll want to make it for every summertime potluck and barbecue! 98 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

4.50 from 2 votes

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Ingredients

4 slices center cut bacon
4 ½ cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
2 ½ cups thinly sliced red cabbage
2 carrots grated
¼ cup minced cilantro
1 ¼ cups grape tomatoes each cut in half

The Dressing:

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons agave nectar or honey
⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Place the bacon slices in a single layer in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Turn until browned and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. Dispose of any grease from the skillet. Once cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon.
In a large bowl, combine the Napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, cilantro and tomatoes. Toss with the dressing. Serve.

The Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, agave nectar and salt.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 3 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 3 (SmartPoints), 3 (Points+)

Nutrition

More Gluten Free Recipes

Twice-Baked Ground Turkey Potatoes
Poached Fish in Tomato Sauce
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl
Cauliflower in Puttanesca Sauce

Reader Interactions

Comments

Elizabeth
May 18, 2017 at 4:16 am
Looks amazing! Do you know how leftovers hold up?
Reply
- Dara
  May 18, 2017 at 1:40 pm
  Hi Elizabeth, like most salads, it becomes a bit limp by the next day, and the bacon loses its crispness. If you feel like the portion is too big for your needs, I would suggest either cutting the recipe in half or just dressing part of the salad. The rest can be dressed the next day. I hope that helps!
  Reply
carrie @ frugal foodie mama
May 08, 2017 at 6:50 am
What a great twist on traditional cole slaw! 🙂 This just might be making an appearance at my son's graduation cookout in a couple of weeks.
Reply
Jennifer
May 06, 2017 at 3:34 pm
This is sp pretty! Such a perfect side for any meal!!
Reply
Judy
May 06, 2017 at 10:53 am

I don't like to tell people what to do, REALLY, but I would have worn a mask
when you were ill while making your delicious salad AND gloves or EXTREMELY
CLEAN HANDS.
Reply
- Dara
  May 18, 2017 at 1:43 pm
  Hi Judy, thanks for your concern. I'm not quite sure why you're assuming I didn't do any of those things. I have no interest in making my family or neighbors sick.
  Reply
krista @ joyfulhealthyeats
May 06, 2017 at 7:38 am
Such a perfect side dish for the summer! I would totally devour this with some brisket!
Reply
Sabrina
May 06, 2017 at 3:28 am
I love slaw but I never thought to include bacon! What a great idea, can't wait to try it!
Reply

Healthy BLT Slaw Recipe - Potluck or Picnic Salad (2024)

FAQs

Is coleslaw healthy? ›

And keep in mind that this high-fat side is also typically served alongside already high-calorie foods like fried chicken or seafood. Yes. Coleslaw can absolutely be part of a healthy eating plan as long as you choose your dressing carefully.

Learn More ›

How to make coleslaw jamie oliver? ›

Peel the onion and shallot, and slice as finely as you can, along with the cabbage, if using. Add these to the bowl of veg. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and mustard. Pick the herb leaves and chop, then stir into the dressing.

Which is healthier salad or coleslaw? ›

Classic coleslaw is full of shredded cabbage and carrots. The dressing, however, is made with mayonnaise and sugar. There is usually about ½ a cup of mayonnaise and usually a couple tablespoons of sugar. That adds up to more calories and more fat than you're probably looking for in a salad.

Find Out More ›

Which is healthier potato salad or coleslaw? ›

Cup for cup, coleslaw also typically has fewer calories (94 versus 357) and less sodium than potato salad. Either side is loaded with fiber (about 12 to 14 grams per cup) and protein (about eight to 12 grams per cup).

Know More ›

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Keep Reading ›

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

Get More Info ›

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

Coleslaw

Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing.

Is coleslaw healthy or unhealthy Why? ›

Yes, coleslaw can be healthy! The base of coleslaw is shredded vegetables (traditionally cabbage), so inherently coleslaw is vitamin- and fiber-packed and good for you. The issue is the dressing. Most traditional creamy coleslaw dressing is made with high fat ingredients like mayo and has sugar added too.

Keep Reading ›

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Finely diced ingredients

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well.

Show Me More ›

What does coleslaw do for your body? ›

In addition to improving immunity, detoxifying the body, and aiding in digestion, coleslaw also provides vitamin K. Vitamin K is abundantly present in cabbage and it can store minerals in the bones. Through its bone mineralization properties, vitamin K can help improve bone health.

Keep Reading ›

Why is coleslaw so high in calories? ›

It's a salad, right, so it must be healthy? But even though it's based on carrot and cabbage, coleslaw is dressed in a mayonnaise based dressing which is high in fat.

Know More ›

Is coleslaw high in sugar? ›

And while coleslaw is mostly shredded vegetables, it also comes with an added serving of sugar. The mayonnaise is largely to blame. One tablespoon of a shop-bought coleslaw, roughly 50g, can contain up to 4g of sugar. A couple of spoonfuls on your plate is equivalent to a couple of teaspoons of sugar.

Healthy BLT Slaw Recipe - Potluck or Picnic Salad (2024)

Printable Recipe