An easy Classic Coleslaw Recipe with crisp cabbage and carrots in a creamy, sweet and tangy homemade dressing. Coleslaw is the perfect side dish for potlucks, parties and cookouts.
Classic recipes like Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad, timeless EggSalad and of course homemade coleslaw never go out of style. Sometimes the simplest recipes are truly the best.
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Hey, hey. Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our traditional coleslaw recipe.
Coleslaw Recipe:
Though you can purchase a store-bought coleslaw mix and dressing, nothing beats the homemade version. Not only is it so easy and quick to make, it requires minimal ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge. Crunchy shredded cabbage with carrots in a creamy dressing – so good!
Once you have a great coleslaw base, you can spruce it up with different flavors and textures. Try mix-ins like:
- Sliced apples
- Dried cranberries or raisins
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sliced almonds
How to Make Coleslaw-
Unlike most salads that are time-consuming, coleslaw is really quick to make and can be completely ready in just 10 minutes!
- Shred the cabbage and grate the carrots.
- Combine the ingredients for the homemade dressing.
- Add the dressing to the mixed salad and enjoy!
How to Shred Cabbage:
You can either shred the cabbage with a mandolin slicer or by hand with a sharp knife. If you like your coleslaw shredded fine and uniform in size, use a mandolin slicer. If you prefer chunky cabbage, shredding by hand will work.
We used our favorite julienne slicer for the carrots.
Coleslaw Dressing:
A good coleslaw dressing can really make or break a recipe. This homemade slaw dressing is amazing, it’s creamy and tangy and not overly sweet. I love that the dressing only uses 5 ingredients! To prepare the dressing, combine all of the ingredients until well incorporated and creamy.
- MAYO – the creamy base of the dressing.
- ACIDITY – you can use either the classic apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or white vinegar. (TIP: if substituting for ACV or vinegar, you’ll need about 4 tsp, or to taste)
- SWEET – granulated sugar or honey may be used, or a combination of both.
What Goes with Coleslaw?
The beauty of coleslaw is that it’s so versatile! It can be served as a side, or a salad to good Burger or even great piled onto a BBQ Chicken or Pulled Pork sandwich.
Can you Make Coleslaw in Advance?
Yes, coleslaw is great to prepare in advance. If you’re making it for a party or brunch, prepare the salad per instructions and keep the salad unmixed and covered, keep the dressing in a container. Before serving, mix the salad and add the dressing.
How Long Will Coleslaw Last in the Refrigerator?
For the best quality and flavor, keep the coleslaw covered and refrigerated. It will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. NOTE: Cabbage does not freeze well, therefore, freezing the coleslaw isn’t a good idea.
Try These Other Salad Recipes:
- Corn Salad – the perfect picnic side
- Broccoli Salad– with an amazing dressing
- Avocado Chicken Salad – fresh, healthy, easy
- Kani Salad– Japanese cucumber crab salad
- Chickpea Salad – protein packed
Coleslaw recipe with Homemade Dressing
The easiest homemade coleslaw recipe. Shredded white and red cabbage with carrots in a sweet and tangy creamy homemade dressing. This 10-minute recipe will win you over.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 5 servings, as a side
coleslaw-
- 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 large carrot, grated or julienned
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
dressing-
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice , *
Instructions
Finely shred white and red cabbage. Grate the carrot. Finely chop green onion.
Combine the ingredients for the coleslaw dressing.
In a bowl, toss the salad then add dressing and mix to combine.
Nutrition Per Serving
251kcal Calories12g Carbs2g Protein23g Fat4g Saturated Fat13mg Cholesterol332mg Sodium197mg Potassium2g Fiber9g Sugar2520IU Vitamin A39.2mg Vitamin C39mg Calcium0.6mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition Facts
Coleslaw recipe with Homemade Dressing
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coleslaw
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Valentina Ablaev
I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!
Read more posts by Valentina
FAQs
What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!
Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›
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. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.
What is coleslaw mix made of? ›
It's packed with shredded cabbage and julienned carrots (for health!) and tossed in the holy triumvirate of coleslaw dressing ingredients: apple cider vinegar for acidity, honey for balance, and mayonnaise to tie it all together (feel free to substitute up to half the mayo for tangier Greek yogurt or sour cream for an ...
What can I add to store-bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›
<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.
What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›
What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.
How do you keep coleslaw from getting watery? ›
With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt.
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.
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.
What is the most unhealthy thing at KFC? ›
Worst: Extra Crispy
Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.
What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›
While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredients like shredded veggies, fruits, or seasonings to give some variety to the dish. While both feature cabbage as the star of the show, the different dressings set the two apart.
Combine the shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, sugar, vinegar, mustard, celery salt, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl, and then add to the cabbage mixture. Mix well to combine and taste for seasoning; add more salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.
How long does homemade coleslaw last? ›
How Long Does Coleslaw Last? Assuming that you're storing your coleslaw in the refrigerator — and haven't taken it out for a stretch of time and put it back in — coleslaw can safely last up to five days. However, it's important to remember that this is the maximum amount of time it should be kept.
How to doctor up store bought cole slaw? ›
While prepackaged coleslaw is generally made with green cabbage, there are actually 13 other varieties of the vegetable that can boost your side dish. Mix green and red cabbage for a nice, pretty color, or add those with interesting textures like Tuscan cabbage or kale.
How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›
For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.
What makes coleslaw go bad? ›
Presence of Bacteria and Spoilage
Bacterial presence is an inevitable aspect of food spoilage. Coleslaw, especially when made with mayonnaise, provides a medium for bacteria to thrive. Proper storage conditions, such as keeping the salad refrigerated and airtight, can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
What is the difference between coleslaw dressing and mayonnaise? ›
What is coleslaw dressing made of? Coleslaw dressing is usually mayo-based. Then you add vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. A bit of salt and pepper finishes off a classic, creamy, tangy dressing.
What are the ingredients in shop bought coleslaw? ›
INGREDIENTS: Cabbage (47%), Carrot (16%), Rapeseed Oil, Water, Single Cream (Milk), Pasteurised Egg Yolk, Spirit Vinegar, Onion, Sugar, Salt, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum), White Wine Vinegar, Concentrated Lemon Juice.
What are the ingredients in Kraft coleslaw dressing? ›
Ingredients. INGREDIENTS: SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, WATER, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, SALT, MUSTARD, POLYSORBATE 60 (PREVENTS OIL SEPARATION), POTASSIUM SORBATE (MAINTAINS QUALITY), PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE (THICKENER), XANTHAN GUM (THICKENER), SPICES AND SEASONINGS (CONTAINS CELERY), CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (MAINTAINS FLAVOUR).
What does coleslaw contain? ›
The only consistent ingredient in coleslaw is raw cabbage, while other ingredients and dressings vary widely. Some popular variations include adding red cabbage, pepper, shredded carrots, onions, grated cheese, pineapple, pears, or apples, and using salad dressings like mayonnaise or cream.
