Southern Coleslaw Recipe
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!
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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.
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 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
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 half a 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.
Nutrition
If you think this southern coleslaw recipe looks good save it to your Pinterest Board or share to your Facebook to save this recipe! Let’s connect on Pinterest too!
You may also like these other southern recipes:
The Perfect Summertime Old Bay Seafood Macaroni Salad
Quick Sweet Potato Pie (Video)
Homemade coleslaw makes all the difference on a salad! Shop-bought varieties are often laden with preservatives. Loving the look of this recipe.
This is exactly how I make my coleslaw, so I’m giving it a five star rating right away! Have you ever tried using a combination of celery seeds and mustard seeds together instead of the celery salt? So bright! I’m a coleslaw addict – even in the winter, I eat it regularly.
Nope I haven’t but I will since you mentioned it. Can’t wait to try it! Thank you so much Byron! 🙂
it’s been so long since i had any good cole slaw. this look incredible, i love recipes with celery salt!
It’s super good! Love coleslaw! Thank you!
Yum! This looks delicious. Perfect for when the weather warms ups and we can grill outside! Can’t wait to try it!
The coleslaw looks just perfect creamy and colorful. I will try this for sure and also sharing this with my sister in law who is a big fan of this. Thanks a lot for sharing☺
Thank you! I love coleslaw so much…I think your sis will love it!
I am SO ready for warmer weather, and this coleslaw will be just perfect for grilling nights on the patio. It sounds so fresh and delicious. And I’m definitely looking forward to also getting that mint iced tea recipe!
My grandmother used to make mint tea all the time. I can’t get enough of it. Stay tuned! Thanks!
This is a perfect classic coleslaw recipe perfect for any BBQ. I enjoyed your cook tips especially the addition of jalapeno to give it some heat.
My husband loves Jalapenos so I usually add some to his personal bowl of coleslaw lol. Thank you Kelly.
I have been looking for a recipe that is not heavy on the mayonnaise. This looks like a keeper!!!
Thank you Dee!
Grilling season is just around the corner. Coleslaw is always a hit. Great to feed a hungry crowd. Perfect for burgers, chicken and steak too.
I can’t wait for grilling season. I just bought a new grill!
I absolutely love coleslaw! Especially the southern version. So, kudos to you for posting this delicious southern recipe! It’s so good on top of sandwiches of all kinds!
Thank you so much Lesli!
Coleslaw is one of those side dishes that I just have to have! It’s amazing with a BBQ spread or with fried chicken or with veggies or with anything! I’m intrigued by the buttermilk in your recipe. I need to try it 🙂
This coleslaw looks delicious and it’s certainly easy to make! This is a must-try for us!
I love making coleslaw especially for a bbq and with burgers but I’ve never put red onion in it. I have to try that it sounds so good, as does your dressing! Yum!
I love coleslaw, but I still feel I haven’t found the perfect recipe yet. But this may have changed now, totally saving this recipe for my next BBQ! And I love those creamy, dreamy tones on the photos, work really well with the pretty coleslaw!
I love a good coleslaw and this recipe looks delicious!! Perfect for summer!
I’m one of the coleslaw lovers 🙂 We often serve it with hot dogs and potato-meat stew. I like how the recipe combines buttermilk and mayo, I usually use just mayo, will definitely try this version; and it sounds a little healthier 🙂 Thank you!