Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegetarian Salads
  • Vegan
  • Vegan Salads
  • Dairy-free

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.

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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
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

Can you use regular vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

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

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

What is amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Is it OK to use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar? ›

According to Burdeos, if you're going to be using it for cooking, white vinegar can be successfully substituted for apple cider vinegar. Just note that it will taste slightly different and obviously won't have that hint of apple flavor if that's also what you're after.

How long does vinegar coleslaw last in the refrigerator? ›

When stored properly, coleslaw will stay fresh in the fridge for up to five days. Store it in an airtight container and keep it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, preferably pressed toward the very back. If you see signs of spoilage such as a sour or off smell or visible mold, discard the mixture immediately.

How to fix too much vinegar in coleslaw? ›

If you have added too much vinegar to a recipe, you can try adding a bit of sugar or honey to help balance the acidity. You could also try diluting the vinegar by adding more of the other ingredients in the recipe.

Why is my coleslaw so bland? ›

Neglecting to add enough spices or seasoning

Perhaps the recipe you followed is just inherently bland. If your dressing is already applied, you only have one choice left to turn your coleslaw around. You've got to add some seasoning or spice. Start by adding salt and pepper to taste.

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

Like the cabbage, these veggie add-ins can also become breeding grounds for bacteria when left unrefrigerated. Coleslaw dressing often includes vinegar that acidulates the mixture, making it a less hospitable environment for those pesky bacteria. But unfortunately, it's not enough to halt bacterial growth completely.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

If you're in the mood for something creamy, sweet, and tangy, coleslaw is an excellent option. Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing.

What is KFC coleslaw made of? ›

There are only 3 vegetables: You can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw and finely chop that, if you prefer. But keep in mind that true KFC Coleslaw only contains green cabbage, carrots, and onions, so don't use the packaged cabbage that has red cabbage or any herbs.

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredients like shredded veggies, fruits, or seasonings to give some variety to the dish. While both feature cabbage as the star of the show, the different dressings set the two apart.

What can I add to store bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

Why do you put salt on cabbage for coleslaw? ›

Salting the cabbage, carrot, and onion purges excess moisture that would otherwise turn the slaw into a soupy mess. Including sugar (another osmosis-inducing ingredient) balances the flavor. Limiting the purge to five minutes keeps the cabbage crunchy.

Should cabbage be washed before making coleslaw? ›

Cabbage. The outer layer isn't going to be eaten—the leaves are tougher and undesirable to many—so why wash cabbage? There's a good reason: Worms or other insects could be inside the cabbage, so to be safe, follow these steps for cleaning and washing it.

What can I use if I don't have apple cider vinegar? ›

Best Apple Cider Vinegar Substitutes
  • Rice Wine Vinegar. Lacks the slightly sweeter, fruity flavour of apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Champagne Vinegar. The second closest match is champagne vinegar. ...
  • White Wine Vinegar. Another good substitute. ...
  • Sherry Vinegar. ...
  • Red Wine Vinegar. ...
  • Lemon / Lime Juice.

What can I substitute for white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

For 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, swap in 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice, lime juice, cider vinegar, or malt vinegar.

Can you use regular vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for pickles? ›

Don't have ACV in your pantry? Try it with white vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or even a blend of different vinegars. Dill: I love dill pickles so I used fresh dill in this recipe. Fresh dill works best in this recipe to really infuse the flavor into the pickling solution for the cucumbers to soak up.

Can you use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for broth? ›

Then roast the bones in a hot oven till they get lovely and dark -- this accomplishes two things: enhanced flavor due to caramelization and cracked bones. Now you're ready for the vinegar and water to simmer. Do you have to use apple cider vinegar in your bone broth? No -- any acid will do.

References

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