Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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This sweet and tangy vinegar coleslaw makes a great accompaniment to rich barbecue.

By

Joshua Bousel

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (1)

Joshua Bousel

Joshua Bousel is a Serious Eats old-timer, having started sharing his passion for grilling and barbecue recipes on the site back in 2008. He continues to develop grilling and barbecue recipes on his own site, The Meatwave, out of his home base of Durham, North Carolina.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated June 06, 2023

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Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • A sugar-and-salt mixture purges the cabbage of excess moisture, leaving it tender, but still crunchy and well-seasoned.
  • An equal amount of vinegar and sugar gives this slaw a tangy and sweet character.
  • Celery seeds add a light celery flavor and some pleasing texture.

Growing up, I assumed that coleslaw was some sort of joke. Why would I ever want that sorry little paper cup of tough, bland cabbage? You know, the kind that comes as a paltry afterthought with your towering sandwich at the local Greek diner? I always figured it was just a steady, meticulous way to rid the world of a vegetable no one really wanted, one sandwich at a time.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (3)

And that was pretty much my view for over a decade, right up until I found the Gospel of Barbecue. With the great tradition of smoked meats, I was presented with coleslaw alongside pulled pork, ribs, and brisket, served in portions that made it seem like something you'd actually want to eat—and best of all, it was!

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (4)

Good coleslaw provides a light and fresh contrast to heavy, barbecued meats, with a tang that manages to cut through (at least some) of the deliciously greasy fat. So I stopped shying away from slaw and started to embrace it, getting to know a range of variations that have turned me from an uncompromising hater to a full-on lover of all things cabbage salad.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (5)

Over the years, I've experimented with making slaw at home, but I never really thought I was killing it until Kenji gave coleslaw the Food-Lab treatment last summer. The trick is to purge your slaw vegetables of all excess moisture, leaving behind a well-seasoned mix that's nice and tender with just the right amount of crunch. The process itself requires simply mixing the shredded vegetables with sugar and salt for about five minutes before giving it a good rinse and a ride in the salad spinner.

Now that I've got that perfect traditional slaw down pat, I've shifted my efforts to varying the dressing flavors. Here is a classic vinegar slaw, but there are variations. There’s Lexington-style red slaw, mustard slaw, tangy apple slaw, and spicy slaw with a kick.

Vinegar slaw was my gateway slaw, the first I ever remember really loving. We met at the second Big Apple Block Party in New York back in 2004 and, while I can't remember exactly who was slinging the vinegar slaw that year, a very close approximation has since showed up in Mike and Amy Mill's book, Peace, Love, and Barbecue.

The dressing is simply a one-to-one mix of cider vinegar and sugar with a little bit of garlic, oil, and celery seeds, which add a light celery flavor and a bit of texture. It may be simple, but it works so darn well; those straightforward tangy, sweet flavors pair harmoniously with the more complex rubs and seasonings found in most barbecue. Because of its bright, fresh character, I also love it as a sandwich component.

June 2014

This recipe was cross-tested in 2023 and updated to guarantee best results. For a more balanced dressing, we reduced the amount of sugar used.

Recipe Details

Vinegar Coleslaw

Prep15 mins

Active30 mins

Total15 mins

Serves10to 12 servings

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup (120ml) apple cider vinegar

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (1.75 ounces; 50g)

  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic (about 1 medium clove)

  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume

  • Freshlyground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds

For the Slaw:

  • 1 large head green cabbage (about 3 1/2 pounds), finely shredded on a mandoline or by hand (16 cups)

  • 2 large carrots (6 ounces; 170g), peeled and grated on the large holes of a box grater (1 cup)

  • 1 medium yellow onion (8 ounces; 225g), thinly sliced crosswise on a mandoline or by hand (1 cup)

  • 2/3 cup sugar (4.7 ounces; 133g)

  • 1/3 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt (1.7 ounces; 48g); for table salt, use half as much by volume or the same weight

Directions

  1. For the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, oil, garlic, salt, black pepper, and celery seeds until sugar is dissolved.

    Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (6)

  2. For the Slaw: Combine cabbage, carrot, and onion in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sugar and salt and toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes, then transfer to a large colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water.

    Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (7)

  3. Transfer vegetables to a salad spinner and spin dry. Alternatively, transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet lined with a triple layer of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and blot mixture dry with more towels. Return to large bowl.

    Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (8)

  4. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss to coat. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and sugar.

    Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (9)

Special Equipment

Mandoline (optional)

Read More

  • Lexington-Style Red Coleslaw
  • Mustardy Coleslaw
  • Tangy Apple Coleslaw
  • Jalapeño Coleslaw
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegetarian Salads
  • Vegan
  • Vegan Salads
  • Dairy-free
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
132Calories
4g Fat
25g Carbs
2g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10to 12
Amount per serving
Calories132
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g5%
Saturated Fat 0g2%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1788mg78%
Total Carbohydrate 25g9%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 51mg253%
Calcium 76mg6%
Iron 0mg3%
Potassium 319mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar for coleslaw? ›

Whether your coleslaw is with or without mayonnaise, simple or chock-full of ingredients, a splash of this vinegar adds a welcome fruity and tangy note that's more balanced and not as sharp as other types of vinegar, like white or red wine vinegar.

How do you make Gordon Ramsay homemade coleslaw? ›

In a bowl mix together 2 Tbs vinegar, juice of half lemon, 3 Tbs mayonnaise, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt and pepper and mix well. Add the dressing into the cabbage and mix well. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving as a healthy side dish to your burger!

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of white vinegar for coleslaw? ›

Which vinegar do you use for coleslaw? I'd recommend a white wine vinegar or white malt vinegar for green cabbage or red wine/ balsamic for red cabbage. Green cabbage is the king in my opinion and deserves a good white vinegar dressing.

How long is vinegar coleslaw good for? ›

It's a basic vinaigrette slaw that's been around since the beginning of time, made using oil and vinegar, and called "forever slaw" because it will keep for a long time in the refrigerator, even up to a month or so - not that it'll be around that long really.

Why do people put vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Whether your coleslaw is with or without mayonnaise, simple or chock-full of ingredients, a splash of this vinegar adds a welcome fruity and tangy note that's more balanced and not as sharp as other types of vinegar, like white or red wine vinegar.

What happens if I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar? ›

Just note that apple cider vinegar has a slightly sweeter and fruitier flavor compared to the more neutral taste of white vinegar. So, the substitution may alter the taste of your recipe slightly. But for most dishes, the substitution should work just fine!

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

KFC's coleslaw stands out because of its sweet and tangy dressing, but the slaw's texture is what makes it one of a kind. The very finely chopped cabbage and carrots are a stark contrast to the typical stringy shredded veggies found in bagged coleslaw mix.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing. The freshly shredded veggies give you a light yet satisfying crunch while the dressing gives you the tanginess you're looking for.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

What can I use instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar. Lemon Juice.

Can I use Worcestershire sauce instead of balsamic vinegar? ›

Worcestershire Sauce

As with soy sauce, you can always try adding a drizzle of lemon juice and sweetener to Worcestershire to help it replicate balsamic vinegar's flavor more closely.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for salad? ›

Apple cider vinegar

This vinegar is on the lighter end of the spectrum in terms of tang, but will still add that classic vinegar taste to your meal. It works well in salad dressings as well as pickling and marinating.

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

Additionally, coleslaw often contains mayo or dairy-based dressings that can go bad pretty quickly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that bacteria thrive at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, so the longer you leave your food out, the higher the risk of spoilage.

Can you eat coleslaw 1 day out of date? ›

Either way one day wont make a difference as even the use by date is a 'safe' suggestion, usually leaving several more days until it starts to go bad.

Is coleslaw good for you? ›

Yes, coleslaw can be healthy! The base of coleslaw is shredded vegetables (traditionally cabbage), so inherently coleslaw is vitamin- and fiber-packed and good for you. The issue is the dressing. Most traditional creamy coleslaw dressing is made with high fat ingredients like mayo and has sugar added too.

What can I substitute for white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Best white wine vinegar substitute
  1. Red wine vinegar. The best substitute for white wine vinegar? ...
  2. Rice vinegar (not seasoned) If you have it, rice vinegar also works as a substitute! ...
  3. Sherry vinegar. ...
  4. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  5. Champagne vinegar. ...
  6. Lemon juice (in a pinch)
Sep 2, 2020

Is it better to use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

Cooking uses: Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are both popular ingredient choices for salad dressings, vinaigrettes, marinades, or seasonings for veggies like beets. White vinegar is clearer and more acidic, making it a better choice for pickling vegetables.

Which is better white vinegar or apple cider? ›

White vinegar is stronger than apple cider with a higher percentage of acetic acid. Reach for apple cider vinegar when you want to add flavor to salad dressings and sauces. Choose distilled white vinegar when you want to pickle foods or add acidity without imparting any extra flavors.

References

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