Inside: Keep reading to find out how you can make a delicious, homemade coleslaw (or cole slaw) recipe in less than 15 minutes. *Looking for Apple Slaw? Click Here*
I have to admit that I had never eaten coleslaw before coming to the United States. In Mexico, there are some similar recipes, like thisJicama and Cucumber Slaw with Sweet and Spicy Dressing, but even that is a bit different than your traditional American cole slaw.
The first time I saw it, I was a little bit hesitant to try it, because it was different from anything I had tried before. That said, after one bite, I realized why coleslaw is so popular!
I absolutely love the creaminess of the sauce, combined with the crunchiness of the veggies. Of course, I had to come up with my own version after trying a few and that is what I am going to share today.
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Coleslaw?
Cole slaw is really a pretty simple recipe to make. You will need to have the following ingredients:
- Shredded Carrots and Cabbage (I almost always buy the pre-shredded bags from the store to save time);
- Homemade Coleslaw dressing (recipe below)
You can also mix it up a bit by making apple slaw instead – check out the recipe here.
How Do You Make Coleslaw?
As you saw above, you can make coleslaw with only a few simple ingredients. Making it is just as simple! All you have to do is add the shredded cabbage and carrots to a large bowl, and then slowly add the dressing, mixing it as you go.
Some people like their coleslaw to be very saturated with the dressing. Since the cabbage and carrots are pretty crunchy, they can handle quite a bit of sauce. Other people like to go a bit easy on the dressing, and that is fine as well. That is why I suggest that you add just a little bit of dressing at a time so that you can ensure that it has the perfect amount for your individual tastes.
What Can You Serve Coleslaw With?
One of the reasons that cole slaw is so popular is that it is easy to make and is a great side dish. I personally like to serve it with fried chicken and grilled or smoked meats like this brisket. It also goes great as a side dish for burgers and chicken sandwiches.
That said, by far, my favorite way to serve this is as part of a smoked pulled pork sandwich. The flavors complement each other perfectly, and it makes for a perfect bite. Check out our recipe for smoked pulled pork and you will see what I mean!
No matter how you serve your coleslaw, you can be certain that it will be popular if you follow this recipe.
Let me know in the comments below how it turned out!
Other Delicious Side Dishes That You Should Try
- Extra Crispy Homemade Onion Rings
- Extra Crispy Chorizo Potato Balls (Papas Rellenas)
- Authentic Mexican Guacamole
- Authentic Mexican Salsa Verde
- Bacon and Garlic Asparagus
- Brown Sugar, Bacon Wrapped Smokies
- How To Make The Best Extra Crispy, Deep Fried Pickles
Homemade Coleslaw
Keep reading to find out how you can make a delicious, homemade coleslaw (or cole slaw) recipe in less than 15 minutes.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Chill3 hours hrs
Total Time15 minutes mins
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cole slaw, coleslaw
Servings: 10 1/2 Cup Servings
Calories: 145kcal
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Shredded Cabbage and Carrot Mix (Approximately two 14 oz bags of pre-shredded coleslaw mix)
- 3/4 Cup Mayonnaise
- 4 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 Lime (juice)
- 2 Tbsp White Vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper (can add more or less depending on individual tastes)
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients except for the shredded cabbage and carrots in a medium-sized bowl until completely integrated.
Add the Shredded Cabbage and Carrot mix to a large bowl and add the dressing made in the first step a little bit at a time, stirring as you go.
Once you have added the desired amount of the dressing, cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours (technically, you can eat it right away, but it is better served cold)
Nutrition
Serving: 11/2 Cup Serving | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 357mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 11.2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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FAQs
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.
Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›
Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip
Considering that most coleslaw recipes use mayonnaise, it's safe to assume that KFC does it as well. With its fat, its salt, and its slightly acidic taste, mayo is exactly what's needed to balance and enhance the vinegar, salt, and sugar found in coleslaw.
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.
Is it best to make coleslaw the night before? ›
Yes, you can make coleslaw in advance. Making it a day before your event is a good idea, as the flavors will continue to meld and develop as it sits. That makes it perfect as a make-ahead potluck recipe.
What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›
Old Fashioned Amish Vinegar Coleslaw
Made with shredded cabbage, onion, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard.
What is the difference between Eastern and Western coleslaw? ›
Unlike Lexington style, Eastern style contains no tomatoes. It is purely vinegar and pepper which is used to season after cooking. The coleslaw is also different, swapping out the red for a white mayonnaise-based sauce.
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.
Is coleslaw even healthy? ›
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.
What is the most unhealthy thing from 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.
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.
"But as our sales volumes grew, it just wasn't feasible to keep adding to the menu without taking anything away." Chick-fil-A cut cole slaw from the menu in January to make room for a new "superfood" side of kale and broccolini in a maple vinaigrette dressing.
Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›
Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.
Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›
Like the cabbage, these veggie add-ins can also become breeding grounds for bacteria when left unrefrigerated. Coleslaw dressing often includes vinegar that acidulates the mixture, making it a less hospitable environment for those pesky bacteria. But unfortunately, it's not enough to halt bacterial growth completely.
What are the ingredients in shop bought coleslaw? ›
Ingredients. 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 is creamy coleslaw made of? ›
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.
Why is it coleslaw and not cold slaw? ›
However cold your coleslaw may be, you are wise to spell it coleslaw. The word comes from a Dutch word (koolsla) that combines the Dutch words kool, meaning "cabbage," and sla, meaning "salad." Etymology is the main course.
Is regular coleslaw healthy? ›
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.
