There are a lot of Coleslaw recipes out there, but this is the best hands down! Just a quick chop and mix is all it takes to make this iconic side dish.
This Classic Coleslaw is essential for all your upcoming cookouts and potlucks. It’s creamy and crunchy, and goes with all of your summertime favorites.
All it takes is a few tips and tricks to make it perfect every time…
When potluck season rolls around, you can’t have too many side dishes in your repertoire. Some of our favorites are Hawaiian Mac Salad, Cowboy Caviar and Mexican Street Corn Salad.
But sometimes there’s nothing like good old fashioned coleslaw. Whether your going with burgers and dogs, or the barbecue way, it may be summer’s favorite side.
Everyone has their own little twist on it, and we’ll give you some variations later on, but first lets perfect the basics!
Helpful Tips
- The mayonnaise is the most important ingredient here, so don’t skimp with some store brand mayo. Use good quality. Our favorite is Duke’s, which has some tang. Hellman’s is another good choice. It is a little sweeter, and has a thicker consistency.
- The texture of the cabbage and carrots can make a big difference. Shred or finely chop them for best coleslaw consistency.
- Coleslaw’s flavor improves over time. After mixing the ingredients, refrigerate for at least a few hours, or even better, overnight before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- A good coleslaw dressing has a balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy. Adjust the quantities of vinegar, sugar, and mayonnaise to suit your taste. This recipe is based on Duke’s mayo, so you may need to adjust the quantities of other ingredients for ideal flavor.
- Don’t overdress. Be careful not to add too much dressing. Coleslaw should be well-coated but not swimming in dressing.
- Want a shortcut? Use bagged, pre-shredded coleslaw mix!
Ingredients Needed
- Cabbage – Shredded. Both green and red for extra color and visual appeal.
- Carrot – Shredded.
- Mayonnaise – Good quality.
- Apple cider vinegar – For a little tang.
- Dijon mustard – For complexity of flavor.
- Sugar – Just a little for balance.
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
Easy Coleslaw Recipe
This couldn’t get much easier…
1. Make dressing: Mix together the mayo, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper.
2. Toss: In a large bowl, toss together cabbage, carrot and dressing.
3. Taste and adjust: Adjust vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to your liking.
4. Chill: Coleslaw is best served cold, so we recommend refrigerating it for at least 30 minutes before serving.
What to Serve with Coleslaw
Barbecue is the first choice. It’s tough to beat alongside some BBQ Chicken or BBQ Ribs. And then there’s that famous southern Brunswick BBQ Stew.
Try it with our easy Grilled Chicken Thighs or Shish Kabob.
Of course, it’s great next to burgers and hot dogs, as well as any other sandwich like our favorite Reuben or Shrimp Po’ Boy.
We love it on tacos, especially Beer Battered Fish Tacos.
Variations
If you want to go beyond basic coleslaw, we have some great variations here for you!
- Give it a little kick! Our Creole Coleslaw is just what you need to add a bit of spice to your slaw.
- Add an Asian twist. Use rice vinegar and sesame oil in the dressing, and add ingredients like shredded red cabbage, bell peppers, scallions, and cilantro. You can also add some heat with a little Sriracha sauce.
- For a sweet and nutty variation, add thin slices of apple and a handful of chopped walnuts to your coleslaw. The dressing could include a bit of honey for added sweetness.
- Use a vinaigrette instead of mayo, and mix in feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs like parsley and dill for a Mediterranean themed slaw.
- For a sweet and tropical slaw, mix in fresh fruits like mango or pineapple. You could also add in some coconut flakes.
- Make a vegan coleslaw by using a plant-based mayo or a tangy vinaigrette.
Leftovers and Storage
Coleslaw is good refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. However, it’s best when eaten within the first couple of days. Over time, the cabbage will release more water, and the coleslaw can become watery and lose its crispness.
We do not recommend freezing it, as the quality and consistency will degrade.
The next time you’re firing up that grill, don’t forget a big bowl of this Classic Coleslaw. If you haven’t yet mastered this summer icon, now is the time!
Classic Coleslaw, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Looking for more great summer sides? We’ve got them!
Rainbow Pasta Salad
Asian Cucumber Salad
Ratatouille
Peach Salsa
Maque Choux
Chakalaka
Cherry Tomato Confit
Three Bean Salad
Classic Coleslaw
This Classic Coleslaw Recipe is a must for all of your summer cookouts, and goes with a variety of meals from burgers to ribs.
Ingredients
- 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrot, shredded
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Mix together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss together cabbage, carrot and dressing.
- Taste and adjust sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper to your liking.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 133Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 6mgSodium 237mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 3gSugar 5gProtein 2g
Nutrition information calculated by Nutritionix.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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This classic coleslaw recipe is an absolute winner! The combination of crisp cabbage, tangy dressing, and hint of sweetness creates a delightful flavor explosion. It’s the perfect side dish for any summer barbecue or picnic. Give it a try, and your taste buds will thank you!