Coleslaw is a crispy, crunchy, and classic salad. It features fresh green and purple cabbage, shredded carrots, and coriander leaves, all tossed together in a creamy coleslaw dressing. This Homemade Coleslaw recipe is a highlight of summer dishes, perfectly complementing fried chicken dishes, grilled meats, sandwiches, wraps, and tacos for lunch or dinner.
The recipe provided here offers easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, ensuring that you can recreate this delectable coleslaw with confidence. To further assist you, a detailed video tutorial is also included, offering a visual guide for a clear understanding of the preparation process.
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What is Coleslaw?
Coleslaw is a delightful side dish known for its refreshing flavors, satisfying crunch, and vibrant colors. It combines thinly shredded green and purple cabbage, crisp carrots, and fresh coriander leaves, all coated in a creamy dressing. Coleslaw is best served chilled alongside grilled meats, fried chicken dishes, sandwiches, or as a topping for tacos, providing a refreshing and vibrant addition to any meal.
The creamy dressing is a key component that elevates the Coleslaw experience. Made with mayo, it lends a rich and velvety texture, while also delivering a tangy and slightly sweet flavor. This dressing beautifully coats the crisp vegetables, enhancing their natural flavors.
Overall, Coleslaw is a perfect summer dish that pairs exceptionally well with a variety of fried foods, making it a go-to side dish for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings. Whether you're hosting a backyard cookout or simply craving a vibrant and satisfying salad for dinner, Coleslaw is sure to please. It's creamy dressing, crisp veggies, and customizable nature make it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients you will need for preparing this Coleslaw Salad consist of simple pantry staples, and fresh veggies readily accessible in most well-stocked retail grocery stores. So let's see what are they below.
For Dressing
Below are the ingredients you will need to make the dressing. For for more detailed recipe visit Coleslaw Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: It adds a creamy and rich texture to the coleslaw dressing, along with a mild tanginess. If you prefer a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream as an alternative
- Dijon mustard: Adds a bold and tangy taste with a slightly spicy and vinegary kick. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use whole-grain mustard or yellow mustard
- Honey: Brings a sweet and floral flavor to the dressing, balancing the tanginess and providing a natural sweetness. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as alternatives, especially for a vegan version of the dressing
- Apple cider vinegar: It brings a tangy and slightly fruity flavor to the dressing, with subtle hints of sweetness. If you want a milder flavor, you can opt for alternatives such as white wine vinegar or rice vinegar
- Celery seeds: Contribute an earthy and slightly bitter taste to the dressing, along with hints of celery and parsley flavors. For a milder taste, freshly chopped celery leaves can be used as an alternative
- Black pepper: Provides a sharp and intense flavor, adding mild heat and subtle spiciness to the dressing
- Salt: Enhances the other flavors in the dressing and adds a subtle, savory, slightly briny taste. Depending on your preference for saltiness, you can choose alternatives such as seasoned salt or sea salt for different levels of saltiness
For Coleslaw
Below are the ingredients you will need to make the coleslaw Salad:
- Green Cabbage: Delivers a delicate and mildly sweet with a refreshing crunch to the salad
- Purple Cabbage: Adds earthy and slightly peppery taste and lends a vibrant color to the salad
- Carrots: Adds sweetness with a slightly earthy undertone, providing a satisfying crunch
- Coriander Leaves (Cilantro): Has fresh and citrusy flavor, adding a bright and herbaceous note to the Coleslaw
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Coleslaw at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Coleslaw Salad, a classic and creamy side dish. It features a medley of thinly shredded green and purple cabbage, crisp carrots, and fresh coriander leaves, all coated in a creamy and tangy coleslaw dressing. It delivers a refreshing crunch, vibrant colors, and a harmonious blend of flavors that perfectly complements a variety of meals.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below
- Prep dressing: To prepare the dressing, combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, celery seeds, and salt. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly
- Prep green cabbage: To prepare the coleslaw, start by selecting a fresh, whole green cabbage. Inspect the cabbage and remove any outer leaves that show signs of bruising, spoilage, or wilting
- Shred Quarter the cabbage by cutting it into four equal sections and remove the core from each quarter. Then, proceed to slice the cabbage into thin shreds, ensuring that the slices are appropriate for a coleslaw texture
- Prep purple Cabbage: Similarly, when handling the purple cabbage, carefully inspect it and discard any outer leaves that appear wilted or spoiled. Following the same shredding process used for the green cabbage, slice the purple cabbage into thin shreds
- Peel the carrots: Moving on to the carrot, use a peeler to remove the outer skin, and shave the carrot, creating thin, delicate strips. Alternatively, if you prefer a finer texture, you can use a grater to shred the carrot into smaller pieces
- Dress the veggies: In a spacious bowl, combine green, purple cabbage, carrots, and coriander leaves. Drizzle the homemade coleslaw dressing over the mixture, making sure to evenly distribute it throughout
- Chill and serve: After dressing the coleslaw, refrigerate it for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to slightly marinate. Now the classic salad is ready for you to savor
Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Start with fresh and crisp vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and any additional ingredients you plan to include. Freshness ensures better texture and flavor in your coleslaw
- Thinly Sliced/Shredded: Slice or shred the vegetables thinly and uniformly for a consistent texture. This allows for an even distribution of flavors and easier eating
- Dressing Distribution: When adding the dressing, drizzle it evenly over the vegetables and toss gently to ensure every shred is coated. This way, every bite will have a balanced flavor
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld together and enhances the overall taste and texture
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the coleslaw before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or other spices to suit your personal preference
- Customization: Feel free to customize your coleslaw by adding extra ingredients like onions, bell peppers, apples, or raisins for added flavor, texture, and variety
- Serve Fresh: Coleslaw is best when served fresh. Consume it within a day or two for optimal taste and texture. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods to prevent spoilage
- Quantity Considerations: Keep in mind the number of servings you need and adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly. It's better to make smaller batches to maintain freshness
Storage Suggestions
This Coleslaw Salad is best enjoyed when served fresh on the same day. However, if you plan to store it, I recommend storing the shredded vegetables and coleslaw dressing separately. This is because Coleslaw with mayonnaise-based dressing tends to release water and can become soft, losing its flavor and texture when kept for an extended period.
To maintain the freshness and quality, simply dress the slaw mix with the dressing whenever you're ready to serve. By following this method, you can store the salad for up to a week without compromising its taste and texture.
Serving Suggestions
Coleslaw is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a wide range of main courses and other dishes. Here are some popular options for serving Coleslaw:
- Barbecue: Coleslaw is a classic accompaniment to barbecued meats such as ribs, pulled pork, or grilled or roasted chicken. It provides a refreshing contrast to the smoky flavors and adds a crunchy texture to the meal
- Burgers and Sandwiches: Coleslaw can be used as a topping or side dish for burgers, sandwiches, and sliders. It adds a fresh and tangy element that complements the savory flavors of the meat or vegetarian fillings
- Fried Foods: Coleslaw pairs exceptionally well with fried chicken, fried chicken tenders, fried chicken wings, oven-fried chicken, oven-fried chicken tenders, and fried fish and chips. The cool and creamy coleslaw nicely balances the crispness of the fried items
- Tacos and Wraps: Coleslaw can be used as a filling or topping for tacos and wraps. It adds a delightful crunch and texture to the dish, especially when combined with grilled or spicy ingredients
- Seafood: Coleslaw works well with various seafood dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp po'boys, crab cakes, fried shrimp, or grilled seafood platters. The light and tangy coleslaw complement the delicate flavors of the seafood
- Fried Rice or Stir-fried Noodles: Coleslaw can also be incorporated into Asian-inspired dishes like fried rice or stir-fried noodles. It adds a fresh crunch and a burst of flavor to these dishes
Related Recipes
You can also find a similar recipe below and more at salad recipes, side dish recipes, and summer recipes.
- Coleslaw Dressing
- Cucumber Salad
- Potato Salad
- Greek Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Sauteed Cabbage
Coleslaw Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Coleslaw recipe below that I hope will help you make a perfect salad at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
For Coleslaw Dressing
- 1½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1½ tbsp Honey, if you prefer dressing to be slightly sweet
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar, or regular white vinegar
- ½ tsp Celery Seeds
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, powder
- Salt, to taste
For Coleslaw
- 4 cups Green Cabbage, finely shredded
- 3 cups Purple Cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 cups Carrot, shaved using peeler
- 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves, chopped
Instructions
To Prepare Dressing
- To prepare the coleslaw dressing, add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, vinegar, celery seeds, and salt. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined
To Prepare Coleslaw
- To prepare the coleslaw, begin by selecting a whole green cabbage. Check for any outer leaves that may be bruised, spoiled, or wilted, and remove them. Quarter the cabbage and cut out the core. Proceed to slice the cabbage into thin shreds. From a 1.5-pound cabbage, I have used 4 cups of thinly sliced cabbage
- Similarly, for the purple cabbage, discard any outer leaves that are wilted or spoiled. Repeat the shredding process used for the green cabbage. From 1 ¼ pounds of purple cabbage, I have used 3 cups of shredded cabbage
- Next, take a carrot and use a peeler to remove the outer skin. Shave the carrot using a peeler or alternatively, use a grater to shred it
- In a wide bowl, combine the green cabbage, purple cabbage, shredded carrots, and coriander leaves
- Drizzle the homemade coleslaw dressing over the slaw mix, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving
To Serve
- This Coleslaw Salad pairs well with various dishes such as fried chicken, fried chicken wings, chicken nuggets, fried chicken tenders, oven-fried chicken tenders, and other favorite foods of your choice. It can also be used as a topping for sandwiches, burgers, and wraps
Video
Notes
- Fresh Ingredients: Start with fresh and crisp vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and any additional ingredients you plan to include. Freshness ensures better texture and flavor in your coleslaw
- Thinly Sliced/Shredded: Slice or shred the vegetables thinly and uniformly for a consistent texture. This allows for an even distribution of flavors and easier eating
- Dressing Distribution: When adding the dressing, drizzle it evenly over the vegetables and toss gently to ensure every shred is coated. This way, every bite will have a balanced flavor
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling helps the flavors meld together and enhances the overall taste and texture
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the coleslaw before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or other spices to suit your personal preference
- Customization: Feel free to customize your coleslaw by adding extra ingredients like onions, bell peppers, apples, or raisins for added flavor, texture, and variety
- Serve Fresh: Coleslaw is best when served fresh. Consume it within a day or two for optimal taste and texture. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods to prevent spoilage
- Quantity Considerations: Keep in mind the number of servings you need and adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly. It's better to make smaller batches to maintain freshness
- Dressing: I have detailed recipe for Coleslaw dressing in case you are interested to take a look.
Nutrition
FAQ
Coleslaw salad typically includes shredded cabbage (both green and purple), carrots, a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise and vinegar, and seasonings like sugar, salt, and pepper.
You can add a variety of vegetables to your coleslaw mix, such as red or yellow bell peppers, red onions, radishes, celery, green onions, apples, raisins, or dried cranberries. Nuts or seeds like toasted almonds or sunflower seeds can also provide extra crunch and nuttiness. Customize your coleslaw mix with these vegetables to create a flavorful and nutritious side dish.
Yes, you can make Coleslaw dressing without mayo by using alternative ingredients. Some options for mayo-free coleslaw dressings include using Greek yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, olive oil, or a combination of these. These substitutes can provide a creamy texture and add tanginess to the dressing. Experiment with different ratios and flavors to find a mayo-free dressing that suits your taste preferences.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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