Move over coleslaw, you have some competition in the form of Wasabi Slaw. Don’t let its unassuming, sweet, and creamy coleslaw appearance fool you, this slaw packs a punch of flavor.

If you’re feeling like the same-old slaw is obligatory but boring, turn to this Wasabi Slaw to mix things up. A creamy base is injected with just enough wasabi flavor to wake you up but not enough to overheat things. The base is a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, sugar, distilled vinegar, salt, and pepper. One tablespoon of wasabi paste is added, but you can alter the amounts based on how spicy you want the slaw.

Once everything is well combined, toss in the cabbage, carrots, and green onions.

The green onions are a slight divergence from your classic coleslaw, however, it is a great addition that’s flying under peoples’ radars. Sliced green onions gives just enough of that aromatic oniony flavor but doesn’t have the heavy intensity that comes when you use raw onions.

Wrap the mixture tightly and refrigerate the slaw. Wasabi Slaw is a great recipe to make the night before or the morning of an event, as the rest time in the refrigerator allows the dressing to really get into the cabbage and carrots and gives the dressing time to really develop in flavor.

Served chilled, this Wasabi Slaw is unassuming and looks like your average slaw but is waiting to surprise you with a great zippiness of spicy wasabi. The creaminess and slight sweetness of the dressing base control the wasabi’s spice levels. To make an even earthier slaw, you could add roasted chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This is a great companion to grilled fish or burgers as the spice cuts through the greasiness and salt of the protein.

One forkful of this Wasabi Slaw, and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t added it to your creamy coleslaws before. It’s a game-changer ingredient that lightens and revives the classic coleslaw without a ton of extra prep.