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Creamy Coleslaw

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The BEST coleslaw and the perfect side dish for your barbecue, picnic and summer potluck!ย  This classic creamy coleslaw recipe is quick to make and features the perfect texture and balance of flavors, rivaling your favorite restaurant or deli version!

best coleslaw recipe creamy mayonnaise carrots cabbage kfc copycat

It’s hard to imagine a barbecue, picnic or summer potluck without coleslaw!ย  And we’ve got the perfect creamy coleslaw recipe for you to try!

This classic side dish is an American staple.ย  It features crispy cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy and seasoned mayonnaise dressing.ย  It’s the classic dish to bring to picnics, potlucks, cookouts and barbecues.

The name coleslaw arose from the Dutch word koolsla which means “cabbage salad.”ย  Shredded cabbage salads exist around the world in different variations, most commonly with a base of oil and vinegar.ย  But when mayonnaise was invented by a French chef in the mid-18th century its popularity took off in America and soon the classic creamy coleslaw was born.

Quick and easy to make, this recipe provides the perfect balance of flavors and rivals your favorite restaurant or deli version!

What to Serve With Coleslaw

It’s the quintessential classic summer side dish along with things like potato salad, pasta salad and corn on the cob.

It’s enjoyed as a side dish and is also phenomenal heaped on pulled pork sandwiches, wraps, hot dots, burgers and tacos!

Can I Freeze Coleslaw?

The mayonnaise makes it unsuitable for freezing because it tends to separate after being frozen and becomes very watery.ย  Raw cabbage likewise does not freeze very well.ย  For a delicious variation that can be frozen, try our Freezer Slaw.

freezer slaw recipe

BEST Coleslaw Recipe

Let’s get started!

A key to making the best coleslaw is eliminating excess water so the end result isn’t watery which will dilute the flavor and prevent that great creamy consistency we’re after.ย  To do that we need to draw out the water from the vegetables before adding the dressing.

Place the veggies in a bowl and sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt.ย  Toss to combine.ย  Let this sit for at least an hour to draw out excess water.ย  Rinse and thoroughly drain (either use a salad spinner to spin dry it or lay it out on paper towels and blot dry.)ย  Return the cabbage to the bowl.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a medium sized bowl.ย  ย Be sure to use a good quality mayonnaise, it makes all the difference.ย  Pour the dressing over the veggies and stir to coat.ย  Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.

This dish is naturally gluten-free and for a vegan coleslaw simply use vegan mayonnaise.

Enjoy!

best coleslaw recipe creamy mayonnaise carrots cabbage kfc copycat

For more delicious salads be sure to also try our:

Creamy Coleslaw

This creamy coleslaw recipe features the perfect balance of flavors and is just what you need for your barbecue, picnic or potluck!
4.99 from 153 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 319 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces shredded cabbage/carrot blend (classic is green cabbage but you can add some red cabbage for color)
  • For the Coleslaw Dressing:
  • 1 cup quality mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Place the shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl and sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over them.ย  Toss to combine.ย  Let this sit for at least an hour to draw out excess water.ย  Rinse and thoroughly drain (either use a salad spinner to spin dry it or lay it out on paper towels and blot dry.)ย  Return the cabbage to the bowl.ย ย 
  • Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.  Pour it over the cabbage mixture and stir until combined.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 564mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 27.6mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.6mg
Keyword coleslaw
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet June 21, 2018

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iโ€™m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

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Recipe Rating




4.99 from 153 votes (125 ratings without comment)

89 Comments

  1. This dressing is wonderful ๐Ÿ˜Š My family likes 1 1/2 Tbsp. of vinegar, some chopped onion and chopped celery. I do have to say that the salt to draw water was moot in my attempts.
    This is better than my Mother’s. That’s saying a lot.
    Thanks

  2. I have been making this for years. I add a teaspoon of horseradish and itโ€™s definitely a must do.

    Thank you.

  3. As an elderly widower, I almost always have leftovers of the recipes Iโ€™ve made. Is it possible to extend the life of the leftover portions of the cole slaw leftovers by vacuum packaging them, and then placing them in the refrigerator?

    1. I can definitely understand that, Richard. And that’s a great question but is unfortunately one I don’t have the answer to as I’ve never tried that. I’d be really curious to know how well it stores that way though!

  4. OMGosh, so, so good!
    I used regular Vinegar because I did not have Apple Cider Vinegar. I also cut the sugar in half because a family member is diabetic.
    At first, I thought it made too much, but, I was wrong. It’s the perfect amount and we absolutely love it.
    Thank you so much!