If youโre looking for the absolute best way to liven up any picnic, cookout, or weekday meal, Creamy Southern Coleslaw deserves a front-row seat at your table. This iconic side dish combines the crunch of crisp cabbage and sweet carrots with a luscious, tangy-sweet dressing. Every forkful is cool and refreshing, a perfect partner for barbecue or fried chicken. Letโs turn a humble collection of veggies and pantry staples into a showstopper everyone will rave about!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you can create the unmistakable flavor and texture that make Creamy Southern Coleslaw special. Each element plays a starring role, bringing color, crunch, or that irresistible creamy tang.
- Green cabbage: The mainstay of coleslaw, this gives the salad its classic crispness and acts as a canvas for the dressing.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots add lovely sweetness and a burst of color that makes the dish pop.
- Mayonnaise: This is where the luscious, creamy texture starts. Choose a good mayo for best flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds just the right amount of tang to balance the richness of the dressing.
- Sugar: Sprinkle in a bit to create that signature sweet-and-sour Southern flavor.
- Dijon mustard: A subtle but important ingredient that brings zip and depth.
- Celery seed: Tiny but mighty, these seeds give a gentle crunch and a hint of classic coleslaw spiciness.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to tie all the flavors together perfectly.
How to Make Creamy Southern Coleslaw
Step 1: Prep and Shred the Veggies
Start by removing any wilted outer leaves from your green cabbage, then cut it in half and slice out the core. Use a sharp chefโs knife or a box grater to shred the cabbage as finely as you like. Peel and shred the carrots, too. The finer the veggies, the more the flavors meld together in every bite of Creamy Southern Coleslaw.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Take a moment to taste the dressing and tweak the seasoning if you want it sweeter or tangier. This mixture is the backbone of your Creamy Southern Coleslaw, setting the stage for all the veggie magic.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Toss the shredded cabbage and carrots right into the bowl with your dressing. Gently stir until every bit is coated. Coleslaw is always better after some time in the fridge, so cover your bowl and chill for at least an hour. As it sits, the flavors marry and the cabbage softens just enough for that classic Creamy Southern Coleslaw texture.
Step 4: Give It a Final Toss and Serve
Just before serving, give the coleslaw a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Taste again and adjust seasoning if needed; sometimes a pinch more salt is the secret. Serve it cold for the most refreshing bite alongside all your favorite Southern dishes.
How to Serve Creamy Southern Coleslaw
Garnishes
For that extra flourish, try topping your Creamy Southern Coleslaw with a scatter of chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of extra celery seed. Some like to add thinly sliced green onions for a mild zing. Garnishes not only add color but also amp up the fresh appeal!
Side Dishes
This coleslaw loves to cuddle up next to barbecue ribs, fried chicken, juicy pulled pork sandwiches, or even simple grilled burgers. The creamy crunch and hint of sweetness balance smoky, spicy mains beautifully. Itโs also right at home beside baked beans, cornbread, or a heap of kettle-cooked chips.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to shake things up, scoop Creamy Southern Coleslaw into hollowed-out bell peppers for a bright, edible bowl, or pile it high onto sliders for a tangy crunch. Itโs also delicious as a topping for fish tacos or as a picnic salad tucked into mason jars for grab-and-go servings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Southern Coleslaw keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad looks a little watery after time, just give it a quick stir before serving and itโs ready to go.
Freezing
Unfortunately, this isnโt a freezer-friendly dish. The creamy dressing tends to separate and the veggies lose their crunch once thawed. It really tastes best made freshโor at most, a day ahead!
Reheating
Since Creamy Southern Coleslaw is always served cold, thereโs no reheating needed. In fact, letting it chill brings out all those wonderful flavors. If itโs been in the fridge overnight, a quick toss before serving wakes it right up.
FAQs
Can I use pre-shredded coleslaw mix?
Absolutely! Store-bought coleslaw mix is a great shortcut, saving you time without sacrificing crunch or flavor. Just remember to check the bag for freshness, and youโre ready to toss it with your homemade dressing.
Is there a way to make Creamy Southern Coleslaw lighter?
Yes. You can swap some or all of the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or use light mayonnaise. The dressing stays creamy while cutting some of the calories, and the tang is still delicious!
How far in advance can I make Creamy Southern Coleslaw?
Making it the morning of or even the night before you serve it is perfect. Cover and refrigerate, and the flavors will blend into that classic Southern taste everyone loves.
What can I use instead of apple cider vinegar?
No apple cider vinegar on hand? White vinegar or even lemon juice can do the trick in a pinch. Just know theyโll have slightly different flavor notes, but your Creamy Southern Coleslaw will still sing!
My coleslaw is too watery. What did I do wrong?
Cabbage naturally releases water as it sits. For a firmer slaw, salt the cabbage and let it drain for 20 minutes before mixing with the dressing, then pat dry. This extra step helps keep your Creamy Southern Coleslaw from getting soupy.
Final Thoughts
Thereโs nothing like a big, glistening bowl of Creamy Southern Coleslaw to bring warmth and charm to your table. Give it a try and taste just how easy it is to make this Southern classic your new favorite side. Friends and family will ask for secondsโmaybe even thirds!
Print
Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Southern Coleslaw recipe is a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with BBQ, fried chicken, or any summer gathering. The creamy dressing combined with crisp cabbage and carrots creates a deliciously refreshing slaw that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Coleslaw:
- 1 small head of green cabbage, shredded
- 2 large carrots, grated
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Coleslaw: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and grated carrots.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Combine: Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well coated.
- Chill: Cover the coleslaw and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Give the coleslaw a final toss before serving and enjoy!
Notes
- This coleslaw tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Feel free to add in extras like sliced apples, raisins, or nuts for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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