Simple Creamy Southern Coleslaw Recipe
Just say no to bland store-bought coleslaw and hello to this delicious homemade recipe. This classic simple creamy coleslaw recipe is not only the perfect side dish for your next BBQ and grilling cookout but is also amazing on a South Carolina style pulled pork sandwich or on a West Virginia style hot dog. IMPORTANT: Step one gives you an option to help make the slaw less watery. We recommend it, especially if the slaw will sit for more than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 pound green cabbage (about half a medium cabbage)
- 1 large carrot, peeled
- ½ small white onion
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon distilled vinegar
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon celery seeds (not celery salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon Morton Coarse Kosher Salt
Method
- Prep. First, read my article on The Science of Slawsome Slaw. Then decide how you want to cut the cabbage, carrot, and onion: Chopped, grated, or hashed. And have at it. I prefer the veg shredded or chopped. Now, you have another choice. You can finish the recipe by making the dressing, and mixing it with the vegetables. Or you can use a technique from the article The Science of Slawsome Slaw that helps prevent the slaw from becoming watery as it sits. To do that, salt the cabbage, carrot, and onion (use 2 tablespoons Morton's coarse kosher salt per pound of cabbage) and let it drain in a strainer or colander for an hour or two, then rinse off the salt and pat dry. If you pre-salt the veg, omit the salt in the dressing. After rinsing the salted veg, you can also hold it in the fridge for a day before mixing in the dressing.
- Dress. Whisk together the dressing in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, carrot, and onion mix. Taste, adjust the seasonings, cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving if time permits.
Notes
About the vinegar. Switch to cider vinegar at your own risk. I think plain white distilled works better.
About the salt. Remember, kosher salt is half the concentration of table salt so if you use table salt, use half as much. Click here to read more about salt and how it works.
My favorite add-in. I first tasted this in Charleston South Carolina, and I loved it. Add 1 tablespoon of sweet pickle relish or chopped sweet pickles.
Optional. Add 1/2 red or green bell pepper, sliced thin or hashed.
Optional. Add 3 radishes, red or white, sliced thin or hashed.
Optional. If you like it hot, add 1 small minced jalapeño. Chipotle powder is another way to amp it up. Horseradish, just a tablespoon in the background, is a surprising addition.
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