If you’re searching for a timeless side that brings a burst of creamy crunch to any meal, you’ve found it with The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe. This coleslaw balances crisp green and red cabbage with the natural sweetness of carrot, all hugged by a luscious, tangy dressing that’s delightfully smooth yet packed with flavor. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a picnic, or a comforting family dinner, this recipe never fails to brighten the table and satisfy every craving for that classic creamy coleslaw taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role, combining fresh crunch, tangy richness, and subtle sweetness to create a harmonious and irresistible salad.
- Green cabbage: Provides the traditional crunch and mild flavor that forms the perfect coleslaw base.
- Red cabbage: Adds vibrant color and a slightly earthier texture to keep the dish visually appealing and fresh.
- Carrot: Brings natural sweetness and a pop of bright orange, enhancing both taste and look.
- Mayonnaise: Creates that creamy texture that envelops the vegetables, holding everything together beautifully.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a gentle tang that cuts through the richness for balance.
- Dijon mustard: Delivers a subtle kick and depth, elevating the dressing.
- Honey: Enhances the dressing with a touch of natural sweetness to round out the flavors.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that highlight and unify all other ingredients.
- Celery seed (optional): Introduces a hint of warm spice that’s traditional but not overpowering.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Offers a fresh herbal note and additional color contrast to the final dish.
How to Make The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Fresh Vegetables
Start by shredding both the green and red cabbage finely, then grate a large carrot. Toss all these fresh, crunchy vegetables into a large mixing bowl to create that classic coleslaw base brimming with color and crisp texture.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Creamy Dressing
In a separate bowl, blend mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Add salt and pepper to taste, and whisk everything together until the dressing becomes smooth and cohesive, ensuring every bite will have that perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and creaminess.
Step 3: Combine Dressing and Vegetables
Pour your homemade dressing over the cabbage and carrot mixture. Toss thoroughly, so every shred is lightly coated in that luscious dressing, turning the simple vegetables into a irresistible creamy salad.
Step 4: Add Optional Flavor Boosters
For a flavor boost, sprinkle in celery seed and fresh parsley if you have them on hand. These add a hint of warmth and fresh herbal brightness, elevating the traditional recipe just that little bit more.
Step 5: Chill for Flavor Harmony
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least one hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld perfectly, and the vegetables soften just enough to maximize creaminess while keeping their satisfying crunch.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Bring the coleslaw out chilled, give it a quick toss, and serve immediately. This dish shines best when it’s fresh and cool, complementing everything from grilled meats to sandwiches flawlessly.
How to Serve The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or a pinch of celery seed can turn your dish from simple to spectacular in an instant. Adding a little extra crunch or a citrus twist like a lemon wedge on the side can also brighten the plate beautifully.
Side Dishes
This creamy coleslaw pairs beautifully with classic barbecue fare like ribs, pulled pork, or grilled chicken. It’s also a fantastic side for sandwiches, burgers, or even as a refreshing topping for fish tacos.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this coleslaw in individual glass jars or small bowls for casual parties or picnics—it looks charming and inviting. You can also pile it high on a toasted bun to create the ultimate creamy coleslaw sandwich, or layer it with other fresh veggies for a crunchy, colorful layered salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the moisture and crunch, giving it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Freezing
While coleslaw generally doesn’t freeze well because the cabbage loses its crispness, you can freeze the dressing separately if you want to prepare in advance. Thaw and mix with fresh vegetables just before serving for the freshest result.
Reheating
Reheating is not recommended for creamy coleslaw since it’s best enjoyed cold and crisp. Instead, serve leftovers straight from the fridge or give a quick stir to refresh the textures.
FAQs
Can I use only one type of cabbage?
Absolutely! Using just green or red cabbage is fine, but combining both gives you a more vibrant color contrast and depth in flavor that truly makes The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe stand out.
Is there a healthier alternative to mayonnaise for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a mix of yogurt and light mayo to reduce calories while keeping that creamy texture, but it will slightly alter the flavor profile.
How far in advance can I make this coleslaw?
This coleslaw benefits from sitting refrigerated for at least an hour before serving, but you can make it up to a day ahead. Just keep it covered well to lock in freshness and toss it again before serving.
What if I don’t have celery seed?
Celery seed adds a unique subtle warmth, but omitting it won’t take away from the deliciousness of this recipe. You can skip it or substitute with a small pinch of celery salt for a similar effect.
Can I add other vegetables to this coleslaw?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in finely sliced bell peppers, radishes, or green onions for extra crunch and flavor variations. Just be mindful of balancing the flavors so the dressing still shines.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and satisfying about The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe that makes it a staple for good reason. It’s simple to whip up, uses ingredients you probably already have, and bursts with fresh, creamy, tangy goodness in every bite. Go ahead and give it a try—you’ll quickly discover why this coleslaw is a beloved classic that never goes out of style.
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The Best Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Old-Fashioned Creamy Coleslaw is a classic side dish featuring a crisp blend of green and red cabbage combined with grated carrot, all coated in a smooth, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing. Perfectly refreshing and easy to prepare, it’s an ideal accompaniment for BBQs, sandwiches, or everyday meals.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 small head of green cabbage, shredded
- 1 small head of red cabbage, shredded
- 1 large carrot, grated
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon celery seed (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, shredded red cabbage, and grated carrot thoroughly to create the base of the coleslaw.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
- Mix Dressing with Vegetables: Pour the prepared dressing over the cabbage and carrot mixture, then toss everything together well to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Sprinkle in celery seed and chopped fresh parsley if desired, stirring gently to incorporate the added flavor elements.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set.
- Serve: Remove from the refrigerator and serve chilled as a refreshing side dish to complement your meal.
Notes
- For best texture and flavor, shred the cabbage finely and grate the carrot just before mixing.
- You can customize the sweetness by adjusting the amount of honey to your taste.
- Celery seed adds a distinctive flavor but can be omitted if unavailable or if you prefer a milder taste.
- Fresh parsley adds a fresh herbal note; substitute with chopped cilantro or dill if preferred.
- This coleslaw is best consumed within 1-2 days of preparation for optimal freshness and crunch.
