Classic Coleslaw
Coleslaw is one of those side dishes that always seems to show up at summer cookouts, potlucks, and family dinners. This version combines crisp cabbage and carrots with a creamy, tangy dressing that's simple but always hits the spot. Make it ahead, let it chill, and you'll have an easy side dish that goes with just about everything.
Servings 4
Ingredients
Slaw
- 4 Cups Green Cabbage shredded
- 1 Cup Red Cabbage shredded
- 1 Cup Carrots shredded
Dressing
- ¾ Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture.
- Toss until coated evenly.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Give it time to chill. While you can serve coleslaw right away, chilling it for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to blend and improves the overall taste.
- Dry the cabbage if needed. If you rinse your cabbage before shredding, make sure it's well-dried so the dressing doesn't become watered down.
- Slice vegetables evenly. Uniform shreds of cabbage and carrots create a better texture and make the slaw easier to eat.
- Mix the dressing separately. Whisking the dressing before adding it to the vegetables ensures the sugar, seasonings, and acids are evenly distributed.
- Toss thoroughly. Take a minute to mix everything well so every bite is coated with dressing.
- Taste before serving. After the coleslaw has chilled, give it a quick taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Don't overdress the slaw. Add the dressing gradually if you prefer a lighter coleslaw. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- Serve it cold. Coleslaw tastes best straight from the refrigerator and stays crisp longer when kept chilled.
- Stir before serving. Some liquid may collect at the bottom of the bowl as the cabbage releases moisture. A quick toss brings everything back together.