March 8, 2024
Review RecipeClassic Coleslaw
This creamy classic coleslaw has crisp veggies and a tangy dressing that pairs well with anything you serve it with.
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Make this creamy classic coleslaw recipe with mayo and vinegar dressing a staple at all of your BBQs, potlucks, and birthday parties. Don’t reserve this crisp coleslaw just for entertaining, though; when you have this ultimate side dish on your plate, everything just tastes better.
Classic Coleslaw Ingredients
This creamy side dish is a staple at summer barbecues and picnics for a good reason.
Made with finely shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing, it’s the perfect complement to grilled meats or sandwiches.
The soft crunch of the cabbage and carrots combined with the creamy dressing gives it a refreshing taste that’s hard to resist.
You’ll need:
- 1½ cups of mayonnaise
- ¼ cup of milk
- 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
- 2 chopped green onions
- 1 (10-ounce) bag of coleslaw mix
- 1 cup of shredded carrots
Substitutions And Additions
SOUR CREAM: Substitute buttermilk or sour cream for about half the amount of mayo in the recipe.
LEMON JUICE: Lemon juice can be used instead of vinegar, and it dials down the tang a little.
HONEY AND GINGER: Swap out sugar and use honey and a little ginger. Spice it up with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or horseradish cream.
MIX-INS: You can also toss in a sprinkle of celery seeds or sunflower seeds. Finely chopped celery and bell peppers add interesting diversions, too.
COLESLAW: The easiest route for this salad recipe is using a bagged coleslaw mix. If you prefer, you can make your own shredded cabbage mix with green cabbage, red cabbage, or purple cabbage. Using a food processor, you can shred your own cabbage quickly.
MAYONNAISE: You can replace the store-bought mayo in the recipe with homemade mayonnaise if you prefer making your own.
How To Make This Classic Coleslaw Recipe
Once you whip up the creamy dressing, combine it with the crisp veggies and let the coleslaw chill so that the flavors can mingle.
STEP ONE: In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, sugar, parsley, and green onions together.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you love this salad and plan to make it frequently, double or even triple the dressing and store the extras in a mason jar in the fridge for next time.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl, toss together the coleslaw mixture and carrots.
PRO TIP:
To shred the carrots, you can either use a box grater or a food processor to make the process quick and easy.
STEP THREE: Pour the creamy dressing over the cabbage and carrot mixture. Toss it well so the veggies are fully covered.
STEP FOUR: Pop the coleslaw into the fridge to chill for about an hour because the slaw tastes much better when the cabbage has time to marinate in the dressing. Just don’t leave it in there too long if you want to retain the fresh crunch.
How To Serve The Best Coleslaw Recipe Ever
We can’t list all the meals to serve this traditional coleslaw recipe with because it’s such a versatile and perfect side dish.
A few options include hamburgers, pork sandwiches, grilled meat, grilled tilapia, veggie burgers, or hot dogs.
Serve it alongside other easy recipes such as sauteed vegetables and elbow macaroni salad.
MORE SIDE DISH RECIPES
Storing This Recipe For Coleslaw Salad
Here are some handy tips on storing your coleslaw to keep it fresh and delicious!
IN THE FRIDGE: Classic coleslaw is one of those recipes that keep well in the fridge for a couple of days if you store the cabbage and carrots undressed in an airtight container.
Pour dressing over the slaw about an hour before you want to serve it to retain that fresh, crunchy taste.
IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this recipe. Since the creamy coleslaw dressing is made with mayonnaise, it will separate and not taste the same after freezing.
I love the tang of a good classic coleslaw, and this is one of the best mixed salads I’ve tasted. But whatever recipe you choose to serve it with, homemade coleslaw makes everything taste better, and your taste buds will thank you!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this slaw recipe ahead of time?
This great side dish can be made ahead of time. Don’t add the dressing until about an hour before you are ready to serve it, though, or your cabbage will lose its crispness.
Can I freeze coleslaw?
Traditional coleslaws do not freeze well since they are made with mayonnaise. The mayo separates during freezing and will not taste the same after.
Can I shred my own cabbage instead of buying store-bought coleslaw?
You can buy full or half heads of cabbage and shred them yourself for this recipe.
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Classic Coleslaw
This creamy classic coleslaw has crisp veggies and a tangy dressing that pairs well with anything you serve it with.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 12
Ingredients
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 bag coleslaw mix (10 ounces)
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, sugar, parsley, and green onions.
- In a large bowl, toss the coleslaw mix with the shredded carrots.
- Pour the creamy dressing over the cabbage and carrot mixture. Toss it well, so the veggies are fully covered.
- Pop the coleslaw into the fridge to chill for about an hour because the slaw tastes much better when the cabbage has time to marinate in the dressing. Just don’t leave it in there too long if you want to retain the fresh crunch.
Video
Notes
- If you love this salad and plan to make it frequently, double or even triple the dressing and store the extras in a mason jar in the fridge for next time.
- To shred the carrots, you can either use a box grater or a food processor to make the process quick and easy.
Nutrition
Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1893IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
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Comments
Hannah Griffin says
We made this on Sunday night and it was the perfect compliment to our meal!
Eric says
Thanks for the recipe, perfect! – I will definitely make my own coleslaw salad!
Tin Lopez says
This is one of the best mixed salads my family tasted!
Geri Sonnenberg says
looks awesome! how big is the package of coleslaw used in this recipe?
Kim~madeinaday says
Looks great! Thanks for the recipe! Pinned! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
treena says
By far best coleslaw recipe EVER. I usually just buy the bottled dressing but never again!
Saudie says
I just hate bagged coleslaw mix I find it has a taste, so I shredded a green and purple cabbage and followed the recipe to the tee and it was very good. Next time I may throw in match stick sliced Granny Smith apples. Great on your instant pot pulled pork in a bun.
Beth says
Great recipe! Easy and tasty. Definitely a keeper!
Beth says
Loved this recipe. Super easy and tasty. A great coleslaw recipe if you are a fan of creamy type coleslaw. A keeper for sure. Will be making it again!
Janis says
Since there are only two of us, I don’t usually make a large recipe of cole slaw, so I purchased Trader Joe’s 9oz. bag of red & green cabbage and shredded carrots. I made ½ the dressing recipe. Delicious, but a tad too much dressing for that amount of slaw mix. I will make this recipe again, but most likely back off just a tad on the dressing ingredients.
Also to make it a little less in fat and calories, I substituted Light Mayonnaise, 1% milk, and granulated Splenda along with the Apple Cider Vinegar.
We will enjoy this recipe for years to come. Thanks, Melodee!
McCala says
I love this coleslaw! It is fantastic and we will be enjoying it for years to come, thank you for sharing the recipe! I only added a dash of cayenne pepper and some celery seed, otherwise followed the recipe to a tee. It’s a winner!
Dewayne May says
Thank you for the recipe I will try it soon
Diana says
Very good and easy. I omitted green onions and added celery seed.
Janice says
Very good and easy. I ate it for 3 days and didn’t tire of it.
Ninini says
À gréât idéal to serve ali gaude camerounian soya that I love over any BBQ receipes.
Of course… îm living in cameroun 😂😂😂😂
Ellen Postlethwaite says
Delicious! I made it to go with a fish fry. It was perfect just as the recipe states. I didn’t change a thing. It was a big hit with the whole family.
Gloria says
This is such a delicious classic!
Sue Kelly says
Tried this coleslaw instead of my usual one, for a BBQ. it was delicious! I will be changing to this recipe from now on! Thank you 😊
Bonnie says
I added a little less sugar, a little move vinegar and a couple of shakes of celery seed. Loved it. Thanks for the great recipe!
Barb says
Love this coleslaw, easy and great flavor