Southern Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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Southern Coleslaw also known as Cole Slaw is a classic southern side the goes well with bbq. Shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and sugar are just some of the slaw ingredients. Everybody loves how crunchy, creamy ,sweet and tangy it is. 5 mins prep and so tasty and easy! Check out the Pinterest reviews. And don’t forget to make this into a meal with instant pot or slow cooker bbq pulled beef sandwiches or my crispy tuna patties!

Southern Coleslaw Recipe (1)

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“Best slaw I have ever eaten!”~Ellie S.

HOW TO MAKE COLESLAW AND INGREDIENTS

If you’ve never made cole slaw before just know it’s super easy to make. In the warmer months, while my husband is on the grill making bbq chicken and ribs and whatever else, I’m usually whipping up a bowl of southern cole slaw and cold mint iced tea <—- stay tuned for that recipe.

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The first step in making cole slaw is to add mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, a pinch of celery salt, salt and pepper to a small bowl and mix until combines. Secondly, pour the cole slaw dressing into the bowl with the cole slaw.

Mix well. Lastly, you can either eat it right away or refrigerate it for an hour or two. I actually like to eat it right away. Simple classic and very southern. Just how I like it. See notes below for more tips and how to make this cole slaw recipe ahead of time.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS?

  • This cole slaw is gorgeous to look at plus. Secondly, it’s bursting with crunch, sweet and tangy AND it’s a huge crowd pleaser.
  • It will attract your guests because it’s bright and colorful and creamy.
  • The contrasting colors are eye catchy.
  • Celery salt gives the slaw a POW factor. A SMALL pinch is ALL you need.
  • Apple – cider vinegar and lemon juices gives it a bright tangy flavor.
  • Sugar– balance out the flavors. The sweetness of dressing will have guests coming back for seconds and thirds.

Southern Coleslaw Recipe (2)

WHAT GOES WELL WITH HOMEMADE COLESLAW

Cole slaw is usually eaten as a side dish with barbecued meats, fried fish, crispy airy hushpuppies or fried chicken. I like to eat mine a bit differently. By different, I mean, I love it topped on my fish tacos, pulled bbq chicken/brisket or bbq chicken sliders or on top of sandwiches. This cole slaw perks up any food and it’s best topped on bbq chicken sliders with homemade bbq sauce.

Southern Coleslaw Recipe (3)

SOUTHERN COLESLAW TIPS:

Make ahead dressing: Don’t mix the cole slaw dressing with the cabbage and veggies. Instead, it’s best to make the dressing ahead of time and store covered in the fridge for a couple of hours or until you need it. Stored and covered dressing can be refrigerated for a couple weeks. When you are ready to serve, add the dressing a bit to your vegetables at a time because you may not need to use it all.

  • Leftover dressing Use leftover dressing on hot dogs and again, you can top tacos, and bbq meats with cole slaw or serve it on the side.
  • Shortcut Cole slaw – No need to shred a head of cabbage. The bagged kind is quicker and easier. You can usually find bagged cole slaw in 10 to 16 oz bags.
  • Small family –use half a bag of slaw and save the rest for the following day to make a vinaigrette based cole slaw or an Asian slaw to serve with grilled chicken.
  • Vegan –to make this a vegan cole slaw, use your choice of vegan mayonnaise (egg free) and vegan (plant-based) milk.
  • Variations – Add sliced green onions, add thin slices of green or red peppers, as a mentioned in the post. Add jalapenos for a touch of heat.
  • Lightened up cole slaw –Use half sour cream and half regular mayonnaise or light mayonnaise for a healthier option.

Southern Coleslaw Recipe (4)

Southern Coleslaw Recipe

April Boller Wright

Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe also known as Cole Slaw with shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and sugar are just some of the dressing ingredients. Everybody loves this crunchy, tangy and creamy 5 minute slaw. So tasty and easy!

5 from 25 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern American

Servings 6 people

Calories 79 kcal

Ingredients

  • 14 oz bag of coleslaw
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 pinch celery salt small pinch
  • salt for taste I used about 1/2 tsp
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

  • In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, celery salt, and salt and pepper. Mix to combine.

  • Pour the dressing into a bowl with the coleslaw. Mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Notes

Cook Tips:

Make ahead dressing:

For the best coleslaw, don't mix the dressing with the cabbage, instead, make it ahead of time and store covered in the fridge for a couple of hours or until you need it.

Stored dressing can be refrigerated for a couple weeks. When you are ready to serve, don't add all the coleslaw at once. Add a bit at a time then add more if you want the slaw creamier.

  • Leftover dressing -Use leftover dressing on hot dogs and again, you can top tacos, and bbq meats with coleslaw or serve it on the side.
  • Shortcut Coleslaw -No need to shred a head of cabbage. The bagged kind is quicker and easier. You can usually find bagged coleslaw in 10 to 16 oz bags.
  • Small family -use halfa bag of slaw and save the rest for the following day to make a vinaigrette based coleslaw to serve with grilled chicken.
  • Vegan -to make this a vegan coleslaw, use your choice of vegan mayonnaise (egg free) and vegan (plant-based) milk.
  • Variations - Add sliced green onions, add thin slices of green or red peppers, as a mentioned in the post. Add jalapenos for a touch of heat.
  • Lightened up coleslaw -Use half sour cream and half regular mayonnaise or light mayonnaise for a healthier option.

Follow Whisk it Real Gud on Instagram

Recipe was updated 3/4/2019

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 158mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 79IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Keyword creamy coleslaw, creamy coleslaw recipe, southern coleslaw

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Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Barbecue Pulled Beef

Smothered Chicken

Southern Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste, with a creamy texture. The dressing is made with a blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, and spices, which gives it its distinct flavor. The coleslaw also contains shredded cabbage and carrots, which add a crisp and fresh texture to the dish.

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 make Gordon Ramsay homemade coleslaw? ›

In a bowl mix together 2 Tbs vinegar, juice of half lemon, 3 Tbs mayonnaise, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt and pepper and mix well. Add the dressing into the cabbage and mix well. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving as a healthy side dish to your burger!

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 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 from KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy Tenders

It's no surprise that the extra crispy tenders don't top the list of healthiest items at KFC. As a battered, deep-fried food, they could contribute to increased health risks like cardiovascular disease.

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.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

Old Fashioned Amish Vinegar Coleslaw

Made with shredded cabbage, onion, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard.

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

Or coleslaws — what's the difference? Really nothing. Technically, coleslaw involves cabbage, whether green, red or napa, while the category of slaws can include all kinds of chopped or shredded crunchy vegetables. The two words are used interchangeably for the most part however.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing. The freshly shredded veggies give you a light yet satisfying crunch while the dressing gives you the tanginess you're looking for.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Cabbage Core:Issue: The core of the cabbage can be bitter, especially if it's not removed before shredding. Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste.

What is the best tool for making coleslaw? ›

Cabbage Shredder

Microplane Cabbage shredders and graters provide essential kitchen tools for cabbage for making coleslaw, kimchi and more as simple as possible.

Should cabbage be salted before making coleslaw? ›

You don't want your cabbage floating in dressing come dinner time. (2) Salting the cabbage: Salting the cabbage ahead of time draws out any water making room for it to absorb your dressing. This also makes sure your dressing doesn't get watered down as it sits.

Is it better to make coleslaw the day before? ›

Store coleslaw in the refrigerator, covered, for up to three days. You can make this coleslaw ahead of time to help blend the flavors, but the dressing will become thin over time as liquid releases from the cabbage. Whisking in extra mayonnaise can help fluff up the dressing before serving.

Is KFC coleslaw any good? ›

Review: This coleslaw was too sweet and had too much mayo, so I would have doubled down on the vinegar base instead. Even though I liked it well enough, the more I ate, the worse it got. There weren't enough of the other vegetables to add flavor to the cabbage.

Why does KFC taste better cold? ›

Those who eschewed heating up their chilled chicken in favor of chowing down right away would have seen how the chicken's breading remained crisp while the interior deepened in flavor. When fried chicken starts to cool down, the skin contracts and bonds itself to the meat.

Is KFC's coleslaw healthy? ›

KFC coleslaw contains a moderate amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. It also provides some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and vitamin K. However, it is important to note that KFC coleslaw is high in sodium and sugar, which can be a concern for those on a restricted diet.

What makes KFC so tasty? ›

KFC Uses A Special Signature Blend Of Herbs And Spices

A big part of what makes KFC's chicken so tasty is its highly coveted blend of herbs and spices. The restaurant's chicken is savory and herbaceous with lingering notes of pepper. The flavoring is simple but it hits all the right notes.

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