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Basic ingredients make this Homemade Coleslaw Recipe a cinch to make! With a Creamy Coleslaw Dressing, this side will be a welcome addition to any table.
This recipe uses ingredients you already have on hand – you can have this ready in 30 minutes (you need some time in the refrigerator!)
Around these parts, we love some pulled pork (or pulled chicken), fried chicken and steak. While I do love a caesar salad and garden salad, there really is nothing quite like a good, easy coleslaw.
This one is made from really basic ingredients, meaning you can make it any time you want. I take a shortcut and buy already shredded green cabbage/red cabbage and carrots (coleslaw mix) in a bag from the produce department, but shredding it yourself is pretty easy too. You’ll want 2/3 shredded cabbage, 1/3 shredded carrots if you’re doing it yourself. Then, just whisk up the coleslaw dressing recipe, and you’re good to go!
I make this to serve with pretty much anything. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and it’s made with pantry staples. My kind of recipe.
Why does Coleslaw get watery?
Cabbage releases a lot of water, so making this too far ahead can make your coleslaw a little soupy. If you are making this to eat in an hour, it’s no problem. If you are making this ahead – you can combat the watery-ness by salting the cabbage.
How to prevent watery Cole Slaw: Pour the cabbage into a colander and sprinkle about a teaspoon of kosher salt over the top, and mix the cabbage. Let it stand over a large bowl for an hour (up to 3 hours), and marvel at the amount of liquid that drains out!! Then, simply use a salad spinner, or a dry kitchen towel to remove the excess moisture. Continue and add your slaw dressing, and allow to hang in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Get some fried chicken, some pulled pork or grill up some steaks. YUM!!
Love this? Tweet it!Homemade Coleslaw Ingredients
- COLESLAW MIX – you’ll need about a pound of this, I buy it in a bag, pre-shredded from the produce section. Feel free to shred your own cabbage and lettuce. Red cabbage makes a really pretty color!
- MAYONNAISE – I use a full fat, quality mayonnaise. Use the one you love best!
- WHITE WINE VINEGAR – you can sub for regular white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar if that’s what you have. I just like the flavor of this!
- SUGAR – don’t worry – your salad won’t be sweet! It helps balance the vinegar and lemon juice.
- SALT/PEPPER – when you’re finished mixing – test a forkful! Add more salt or pepper as needed.
- LEMON JUICE – I used fresh juice, there really is no substitute, unfortunately!
- GREEN ONIONS – totally optional, but they’re pretty, and they taste good!
How to make this Basic Coleslaw Recipe (video below)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and lemon juice until smooth.
- Add the coleslaw mix and toss lightly to combine.
- Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
- Add a teaspoon of dijon mustard to the dressing – it adds a delicious flavor!
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of celery seed to the dressing – it’s awesome!
- What to serve with this? This coleslaw goes great with my Pulled Pork Recipe, as well as Oven Fried Chicken or The Best Steak Sandwich You’ll Ever Eat
- Want more salads?
- Summery Vegan Chickpea Salad – An excellent make-ahead salad, that will stay good for a few days in the fridge, making this perfect for lunches.
- Southwestern Pasta Salad – Black beans, corn, red peppers, jalapenos, cilantro and red onions feature in this easy to make pasta salad. With the addition of the lime vinaigrette… oh, myyyyyyy.
- Summer White Bean Salad – A short prep time means you can have it on the table fast!
- Bacon Parmesan & Arugula Potato Salad – A combination of tiny buttery potatoes, peppery & spicy arugula, salty bacon, parmesan…. this extra special potato salad is out of this WORLD.
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
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Easy Coleslaw (Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lb coleslaw mix
- ½ Cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbs white wine vinegar
- 1 Tbs granulated white sugar
- salt/pepper
- 2 Tbs lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and lemon juice until smooth.
- Add the coleslaw mix and toss lightly to combine.
- Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Devour.
Video
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Brian says
Just made this with white vinegar and its perfect. Sweet tart and juicy. My wife tried it and said it should be my go to cole slaw.
Haven’t tried the dijon version yet.
Ellen Brown says
This is now my go-to coleslaw recipe. I always have the ingredients on hand & always add the teaspoon of Dijon. It’s perfect!
John says
Thanks Kylee, great recipe & beautifully presented. I especially liked the tip on draining the moisture from the cabbage. It makes such a big difference, especially since I make a batch, keep in fridge & use over several days.