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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Recipes » Side Dishes » Southern Coleslaw Recipe

    Southern Coleslaw Recipe

    Published: Mar 11, 2022 · Modified: Aug 27, 2023 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    An easy-to-make classic southern coleslaw recipe made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a deliciously sweet, creamy dressing. Serve this coleslaw with smoky barbecue or fried fish for a down-home Southern meal!

    The only slaw I was familiar with growing up in Mississippi was the creamy, sweet coleslaw my Grandma made, which is the inspiration behind this Southern coleslaw recipe.

    We like our coleslaw sweet and creamy in the South, which is quite different from how people of different regions like to enjoy slaw. No cookout, backyard fish fry, or seafood boil is complete without a big ol' bowl of creamy coleslaw!

    For more authentic Southern recipes, check out our Southern Hush Puppies, Southern Fried Okra, and Southern Salmon Croquettes next!

    Southern coleslaw in a white bowl sitting on a white surface.
    Table of Contents
    • Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe
    • How To Make Southern Coleslaw
    • What is Coleslaw?
    • More FAQs
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
    • What to Serve with Southern Coleslaw
    • Recommended Kitchen Tools for This Recipe
    • More Southern Recipes You Will Love!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients You Need to Make This Recipe

    • Coleslaw mix. Dole Coleslaw Mix is my favorite brand but use any brand you prefer. You can also shred your own cabbage and carrots if you prefer. This is a great step-by-step tutorial on how to shred cabbage at home.
    • Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is the base for the creamy coleslaw dressing. If you ask any Southerner, they'll tell you that Duke's Mayonnaise is a must in southern coleslaw!
    • Granulated sugar. Southern coleslaw has a signature sweetness to it which is why it pairs so well with barbecue!
    • Apple cider vinegar. The vinegar adds acidity and tanginess to the coleslaw.
    • Yellow mustard. The mustard adds a tangy bite and additional acidity.
    • Freshly squeezed lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a nice brightness to the coleslaw and additional acidity to complement the sweetness.
    • Salt. Salt brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
    • Celery salt. This ingredient adds a subtle peppery, grassy note that enhances the other flavors in the coleslaw.
    • Cracked black pepper. The large pieces of peppercorn add bursts of peppery, woody, and piney flavors. I like to go a little heavy on the cracked pepper but only use as much as you like.
    Ingredients for making southern coleslaw arranged on a white surface.

    How To Make Southern Coleslaw

    1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, salt, celery salt, and pepper until everything is combined.
    2. Place the coleslaw mix in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the cabbage. Toss everything together with a wooden spoon or silicone-tipped tongs so that all of the cabbage is coated with the dressing. Serve coleslaw immediately or after refrigerating for a couple of hours.
    Dressing for southern coleslaw in a glass bowl sitting on a white surface.
    coleslaw dressing
    Freshly made southern coleslaw in a glass bowl.
    freshly mixed southern coleslaw

    What is Coleslaw?

    Coleslaw is a cabbage salad dating all the way back to ancient Rome. Southern coleslaw first came about when mayonnaise was invented in the 19th century and has transformed into the creamy, sweetened coleslaw we know today.

    Southern coleslaw in a white bowl.

    More FAQs

    What is the difference between slaw and coleslaw?

    Southern coleslaw is dressed with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing and is made primarily with cabbage. Slaw, on the other hand, can be made with a number of different shredded vegetables, such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, fennel, and more, and is typically dressed with a vinegar-based dressing.

    Is coleslaw better fresh or the next day?

    Coleslaw has the crispest, freshest texture when eaten fresh. I recommend refrigerating coleslaw for 2 to 3 hours to allow the flavors in the dressing to come together. After coleslaw sits overnight the cabbage will begin to soften, but it can be stored for up to 3 days.

    How do I prep a head of cabbage for coleslaw?

    To prep a head of cabbage for coleslaw, remove the thick outer leaves and cut the cabbage into wedges. Rinse the wedges under cold running water to remove any insects or dirt, then shred the cabbage in a food processor or with a box grater.

    Southern coleslaw in a white bowl sitting on a white surface.

    Variations and Substitutions

    You can make this Southern coleslaw with freshly shredded cabbage and carrots if you prefer. However, after making this recipe dozens of times, I find that the packaged coleslaw mix tastes just as fresh and saves a great deal of time!

    Feel free to adjust the coleslaw dressing ingredients to your liking. You may prefer less sugar or more of another ingredient. You can also add different spices and herbs if you prefer. Just note that you'd be moving away from a traditional southern coleslaw, but by all means - have fun!

    Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions

    You can make the coleslaw dressing a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve the coleslaw. Just toss the dressing with the cabbage mixture right before serving for a fresh, crispy coleslaw.

    Leftover Southern coleslaw can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, but the cabbage will soften and become more watery the longer it sits.

    Southern coleslaw in a white bowl sitting on a white surface.

    What to Serve with Southern Coleslaw

    Coleslaw is one of the most popular side dishes served with barbecue in the South. It goes great with barbecued chicken, pork, and beef and many would say you can't have a pulled pork sandwich without a little creamy coleslaw piled on top!

    Coleslaw is also a popular side to fried fish in the South. If you're ever a guest at a Southern fish fry, you will probably see fried fish served with coleslaw and hushpuppies.

    And if the fish fry you're attending is hosted by a Black family, we also throw in a little spaghetti and meat sauce as a side! Yep, you read that right!

    But don't stop there! Southern coleslaw makes a tasty accompaniment to many other dishes. Try it with some of the following:

    • Hot Honey Chicken Thighs
    • Oven Fried Catfish
    • Southern Baked Beans
    • Cajun Potato Salad
    • Maple Glazed Carrots
    • Homemade Creamed Corn
    • Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits
    • Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
    • Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes
    • Best Ever Bread Pudding

    Recommended Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

    • Mixing bowls
    • Wire whisk
    • Silicone-tipped kitchen tongs
    Southern coleslaw in a white bowl sitting on a white surface.

    More Southern Recipes You Will Love!

    • Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
    • Cajun Shrimp and Grits
    • New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
    • Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
    • Southern Chicken Salad
    • Southern Squash Casserole
    • Southern Smothered Chicken
    • Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
    • Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
    • Southern Spoon Bread
    • Southern Cheese Grits
    • Southern Candied Yams
    • Southern Mac and Cheese
    • Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
    • Chocolate Chess Pie
    • Skillet Peach Cobbler
    • Chocolate Gravy
    • Old Fashioned Banana Pudding

    📖 Recipe

    Southern coleslaw in a white bowl sitting on a white surface.

    Southern Coleslaw Recipe (Creamy Coleslaw)

    Ashley Boyd
    An easy-to-make classic southern coleslaw recipe made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a deliciously sweet, creamy dressing. Serve this coleslaw with smoky barbecue or fried fish for a down-home southern meal!
    4.75 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 117 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowls
    • Whisk
    • Silicone tongs

    Ingredients
      

    • 14 ounce bag of coleslaw mix such as Dole Coleslaw Mix
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon celery salt
    • Cracked black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, salt, celery salt, and pepper until combined.
    • Place the coleslaw mix in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the cabbage. Toss everything together with a wooden spoon or silicone-tipped tongs so that all of the cabbage is coated with the dressing. Serve coleslaw immediately or refrigerate for up to three hours before serving.

    Notes

    • This coleslaw can also be made with freshly shredded cabbage and carrots.
    • Leftover coleslaw can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 117kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 0.5gFat: 6.6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 352mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 10.6gCalcium: 13mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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    Southern girl, wife, mom, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen - that's me! My love for creating comforting home-cooked meals for my family blossomed into an online resource for home cooks like you. I am passionate about sharing the Southern flavors I grew up eating and I hope your family enjoys them for years to come!

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