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

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 or white vinegar better for coleslaw? ›

Apple cider or white wine vinegar are both fine. The rule is to use a vinegar that is compatible with the flavors in the dish, so a light sauce probably wouldn't he best with a red wine vinegar, but you can use what you like. You might also substitute lemon or lime juice, depending on what you're making.

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.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

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.

Why do you put apple cider vinegar over white vinegar? ›

Since it comes from apples, it has a higher nutritional value than white vinegar, and its tamer smell and lighter taste make it more versatile for cooking than the clear stuff.

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.

How long does vinegar coleslaw last in the fridge? ›

Store leftover coleslaw in the fridge in an airtight container, preferably storing the dressing and the veggies separately to prevent the coleslaw from getting too soggy. Leftover shredded veggies will last for 3-5 days in the fridge. And the vinegar dressing can last for up to 2 weeks.

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.

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

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

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

Old Fashioned Amish Vinegar Coleslaw

Made with shredded cabbage, onion, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard.

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

Texture. Coleslaw is traditionally made with finely shredded cabbage, resulting in a softer and more delicate texture. Slaw, on the other hand, can have varying textures depending on the vegetables used and how they are prepared (e.g., shredded, grated, or julienned).

What is the difference between Eastern and Western coleslaw? ›

Unlike Lexington style, Eastern style contains no tomatoes. It is purely vinegar and pepper which is used to season after cooking. The coleslaw is also different, swapping out the red for a white mayonnaise-based sauce.

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

White vinegar excels in cleaning and is more versatile for cooking due to its high acetic acid content, neutral flavor, and clear appearance. In contrast, raw, non-GMO, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is an ideal choice for medicinal purposes as it contains health-promoting antioxidants, probiotics, and enzymes.

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.

Should I use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar? ›

In conclusion, both apple vinegar and white vinegar have their own merits and uses. Apple vinegar, with its fruity flavour and potential health benefits, is favoured in culinary applications and as a natural remedy. White vinegar, with its high acidity and versatility, shines in cleaning and preserving tasks.

Which is better for you white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

While apple cider vinegar can contain some probiotics due to the fermentation of apple juice, white vinegar is typically more refined and processed, which eliminates most, if not all, of the beneficial bacteria.

References

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