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? ›

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 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.

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.

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw? ›

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 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

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 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'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.

Should you wash bagged coleslaw? ›

Bagged or ready-to-eat, fresh-cut produce

If the product is not labeled "washed," "triple washed," or "ready-to-eat," it must be washed before eating.

Why does my coleslaw taste weird? ›

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.

Is it better to make coleslaw the day 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.

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.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Apple cider or white wine vinegars would also be acceptable as there would only be a slight change to the sauce's flavor. A dark vinegar like red wine or sherry might taste good but you couldn't expect the sauce to have the same flavor as the real version.

What can I add to store bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

It's the dressing that makes it so bad. Buy the bags without dressing and add, walnuts or pecans, grated cheese, pineapple, apple, sultanas, asian fried noodles.

What is creamy coleslaw made of? ›

Julienne cabbage and carrots using a mandoline (<- affiliate link). Place in a large bowl. Add in mayonnaise, sour cream, white wine vinegar, salt, sugar, mustard powder and white pepper. Stir everything together until thoroughly combined.

Is KFC coleslaw any good? ›

It stands unrivaled as cabbage's crowning achievement. There's nothing like KFC's slaw. It looks different, tastes different and crunches different in your mouth. It has a zing you just won't find in the supermarket deli.

Does KFC coleslaw taste good? ›

The dressing is thick and creamy, and it coats the cabbage and carrots evenly. KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste with a creamy texture. The coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is dressed with a sweet and tangy dressing that includes vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices.

Does KFC have good coleslaw? ›

I reviewed each side order from Kentucky Fried Chicken and ranked them all. The chain's green beans and coleslaw were unsurprisingly lackluster. The mac and cheese and biscuits were the best KFC sides I tasted. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

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.

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