Zucchini Slaw

Your next BBQ just got a whole lot tastier with Zucchini Slaw, a tangy, vitamin-packed side and sandwich topper!
zucchini slaw pinit

Think cabbage gets to have all the fun in coleslaw? Think again! Zucchini Slaw has just showed up to the fixings table! Filled with zucchini, peppers, celery and more, this is one unique, zesty slaw that you don’t want to miss!

zucchini slaw

Why We Love It

When it’s summer cookout season, it’s hard not to find us grilling on the weekend. Hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, steak–you name it–we’re most likely making it! One of the reasons we like to grill so much (besides that awesome, charred flavor that just can’t be beat) is all the fixings! There’s rarely a barbecued meal on our plate that isn’t accompanied by some kind of cheese, condiment, salad or all three!

Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE cabbage based coleslaw. It certainly has a place on my plate for many sandwiches. But sometimes it’s fun to change things up a bit. Enter Zucchini Slaw. When zucchini is abundant and in season, it’s hard to resist shredding it into something amazing! That’s when the idea of using it in a slaw was born, and once that idea flourished, the kitchen creativity set in! Peppers, celery and onions too?–Why not? Put this all together with some vinegar and seasonings and you have yourself one of the tastiest slaws around! Flavorful, sweet and zesty, Zucchini Slaw’s robust flavor is hard to beat!

If you love Zucchini, check out Creamy Avocado Zucchini Salad–another great side for cookouts!

zucchini slaw serving

Why You’ll Love It

This one bowl salad is easy to make! Simply shred some zucchini (which is easy to do because it’s so water based), dice up some peppers, onion and celery, and mix with a few other pantry staples you most likely already have on hand. After Zucchini Slaw marinates in the fridge for a few hours, it’s ready to be devoured!

This slaw is also open to customization. Craving more of a creamy slaw? Add some mayo (which makes it extra special for sandwiches). Not a big onion fan? Make it without (I often do because it’s already so flavorful). Craving more color? Use an orange or yellow bell pepper instead of the green. Heck, you can even add some shredded carrots! Have fun with this one!

Kitchen Ready Betty tip: The longer Zucchini Slaw marinates in the fridge, the more of a relish it becomes–which makes a great topper for hot dogs!

Looking for another delicious slaw with some Mexican flavor? Check out Mexican Rainbow Coleslaw!

zucchini slaw ingredients

Zucchini Slaw Ingredients

  • 4 cups grated zucchini
  • 1 cup diced red pepper
  • 1 cup diced green pepper
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
  • Mayonnaise, to taste–just before serving (optional)
zucchini slaw in serving bowl

How to make Zucchini Slaw

You’ll want to gather the following equipment:

  • large mixing bowl
  • grater
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • cutting board
  • chef’s knife
  • mixing spoon or wooden salad spoons
  • slotted spoon (for serving)
zucchini slaw on plate with burger and fries

Before starting:

  • Grate the zucchini
  • Dice the red and green peppers
  • Finely chop the celery and onion

Place the shredded zucchini, peppers, celery and onion in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

zucchini slaw in mixing bowl

Add the seasonings, sugar and white wine vinegar. Mix until well blended.

Then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to blend flavors. I strongly encourage you not to skip this step! Zucchini Slaw tastes so much better after it’s had a chance to marinate!

Stir before serving and enjoy!

zucchini slaw

Kitchen Ready Betty tip: For a creamier slaw, stir in some mayonnaise (just before serving) to taste. Mayonnaise should be added to individual serving bowls (not the main serving bowl). Not only does this give guests the option to make it creamy if they choose, it also helps with leftovers. This is a very “juicy” slaw–especially the longer it sits. Adding mayo to the entire serving bowl won’t look as aesthetically pleasing. It will also eventually get very diluted.

zucchini slaw serving

Zucchini Slaw goes really well with burgers and many other cookout faves! Which one will you like it with best?

zucchini slaw on plate with bureger and fries

Zucchini Slaw Leftovers?

Refrigerate and enjoy within 3 days. Keep in mind that the longer this sits, the waterier it gets. Use a slotted spoon when serving to help control the juices!

zucchini slaw

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Zucchini Slaw

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Rest Time 2 hrs Total Time 2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 14
Best Season: Summer

Description

This one bowl salad is easy to make! Simply shred some zucchini, dice up some peppers, onion and celery, and mix with a few other pantry staples you most likely already have on hand. After Zucchini Slaw marinates in the fridge for a few hours, it's ready to be devoured! For a creamier tatse, add mayo just before serving!

Zucchini Slaw

Cooking Mode Disabled

How to Make Zucchini Slaw:

  1. Grate the zucchini, dice the peppers, and finely chop the onion and celery. Then add these contents to a large glass bowl and stir to combine.

  2. Add the seasonings, sugar and white wine vinegar. Gently mix until well blended.

  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to blend flavors. 

    I strongly encourage you not to skip this step! Zucchini Slaw tastes so much better after it's had a chance to marinate!
  4. Stir before serving.

    For a creamier slaw, stir in some mayonnaise (just before serving) to taste. Mayonnaise should be added to individual serving bowls (not the main serving bowl). Not only does this give guests the option to make it creamy if they choose, it also helps with leftovers. This is a very "juicy" slaw--especially the longer it sits. Adding mayo to the entire serving bowl won't look as aesthetically pleasing. It will also eventually get very diluted.
  5. Refrigerate and enjoy within 3 days. 

    Keep in mind that the longer this sits, the waterier it gets. Use a slotted spoon when serving to help control the juices!

Note

Zucchini Slaw is very open to your customization! You may add shredded carrots, shredded yellow squash or even a yellow or orange bell pepper for more color variety!

We enjoy this both with and without mayo, depending on the sandwich or BBQ meal we're eating. It's always best to add the mayo to individual bowls just before serving. Try it both ways and see which version you like better with your favorite cookout meals!

The longer this sits in the fridge, the more it pickles and turns into a relish, which is so good on top of hot dogs!

Keywords: zucchini, peppers, onions, salad, slaw, coleslaw, potluck, picnic, BBQ, easy side dish

Some food for thought....

Expand All:
Do I have to use sea salt in this?

I prefer it, but you may use whichever salt you like. Try to choose one that has fine granules so it dissolves in the dressing.

Have you ever added tomatoes to this?

That's one fruit/veggie I'd be careful with because it will add more juices. I personally haven't added tomatoes for that reason. I would advise you stick to fruits/veggies that are a little denser, like different colored peppers.

Why is there sugar in this?

Sugar is necessary to help cut the tang and bitterness of the vinegar, which we need for preservative purposes, as well as for marination and flavor!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag #kitchenreadybetty if you made this recipe. Follow @kitchenreadybetty on Instagram for more recipes!

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Betty Weand

Food Blogger

Hi, I'm Betty! I live in Pennsylvania with my 2 human sons, 2 furry sons and my wonderful and supportive husband, who is my main cooking muse. When I'm not busy cooking or writing, I'm lifting a barbell, answering presidential trivia, thinking about the ocean, or going on long walks with my pups.

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  1. Barbara K.

    Another great idea for zucchini and as alternative to cabbage.

    • Kitchen Ready Betty

      Thank you! This one is packed full of vitamins!

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