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If you’re looking for a classic Southern-Style Slaw recipe, this simple side dish delivers crisp cabbage coated in a creamy, tangy dressing with just the right touch of sweetness. Whether you’re serving pulled pork, barbecue, fried chicken, burgers, or hot dogs, this homemade slaw is cool, refreshing, and always a crowd favorite.
Unlike heavily dressed coleslaws, this version keeps the cabbage crisp while lightly coating every bite with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side for cookouts, picnics, potlucks, and weeknight dinners.
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- ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What Is Southern-Style Slaw?
- Key Ingredients
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- Variations
- Tips for Best Results
- FAQs
- How to Store Leftovers
- How to Make Southern-Style Slaw
- What to Serve with Southern-Style Slaw
- Make Ahead
- If You Enjoyed Southern-Style Slaw
- 📌 Save This Recipe
- Southern-Style Slaw Recipe
- 🥡 Storage
- ♨️ Reheating
- ❄️ Freezing
- 💡 Tips for Best Results
- 🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
- ♻️ Leftovers
- 📝 Notes
- 🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Southern flavor with simple pantry ingredients.
- Crisp, creamy, and perfectly balanced.
- Easy to make ahead. Great for barbecues, cookouts, and family dinners.
- No fancy ingredients required.
- Ready with just a little hands-on prep.
- Delicious alongside almost any grilled or smoked meat.
What Is Southern-Style Slaw?
Southern-Style Slaw is a simple coleslaw made with shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, vinegar, onion, sugar, and seasonings. Unlike some sweeter coleslaws, Southern versions typically have a balanced flavor with just enough sweetness to complement the tangy dressing.
One of the secrets to great Southern slaw is salting the cabbage before mixing the dressing. This draws out excess moisture, helping the cabbage stay crisp while preventing the dressing from becoming watery.
Why this works: Salting the cabbage removes excess moisture before the dressing is added. The result is a slaw that stays creamy instead of becoming watery after sitting in the refrigerator.
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Green cabbage
The star of the recipe, providing crisp texture.
Granulated sugar
Adds just enough sweetness to balance the vinegar.
Salt
Helps draw moisture from the cabbage for the best texture.
Onion
Adds classic savory flavor.
Apple cider vinegar
Gives the dressing its signature tang.
Black pepper
Adds a little bite.
Mayonnaise
Creates a creamy dressing that lightly coats the cabbage.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Green cabbage – Fresh cabbage gives the best texture. Bagged coleslaw mix can be substituted for convenience.
- Granulated sugar – Helps balance the acidity. Adjust slightly to taste.
- Salt – Essential for drawing moisture from the cabbage.
- Onion – Sweet onion or yellow onion both work well.
- Apple cider vinegar – White vinegar may be substituted for a sharper tang.
- Black pepper – Freshly ground pepper provides the best flavor.
- Mayonnaise – Use your favorite full-fat mayonnaise. Light mayonnaise can be used but produces a thinner dressing.
Variations
- Add carrots – Mix in grated carrots for a more traditional coleslaw.
- Make it tangier – Add another teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Add celery seed – A small pinch of celery seed gives the slaw an old-fashioned deli flavor.
- Sweeten it – If you enjoy sweeter coleslaw, stir in an extra teaspoon or two of granulated sugar.
- Add crunch – Mix in shredded red cabbage for color and additional texture.
Tips for Best Results
- Use freshly grated cabbage for the best texture.
- Shred the cabbage using the large holes of a box grater.
- Don’t skip salting the cabbage. It makes a noticeable difference.
- Press as much liquid as possible from the cabbage.
- Refrigerate the slaw before serving for the best flavor.
- Add the mayonnaise gradually until the slaw is lightly coated instead of heavily dressed.
- Stir again before serving since the dressing settles as it chills.
FAQs
Yes. While freshly grated cabbage offers the best texture, packaged coleslaw mix is convenient.
Salting removes excess moisture, helping the cabbage stay crisp and preventing a watery dressing.
Absolutely. It’s actually better after several hours in the refrigerator.
It stays fresh for about 3 days when refrigerated in an airtight container.
Yes. You can substitute part or all of the green cabbage with red cabbage for extra color.
It can be used, but it will make the slaw noticeably sweeter and tangier than the original recipe.
Yes. Shredded carrots are a popular addition and pair well with the creamy dressing.
Cabbage naturally releases moisture over time. Salting and draining the cabbage first greatly reduces this problem.
Stir in additional mayonnaise, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Yes, as written, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Always check individual product labels if serving someone with dietary restrictions.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, as a little liquid may collect in the bottom of the container.
Freezing is not recommended because mayonnaise-based dressings separate after thawing and the cabbage loses its crisp texture.
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How to Make Southern-Style Slaw
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Quick steps:
- Toss the cabbage with the sugar and salt.
- Refrigerate the cabbage in a colander to drain excess moisture.
- Press out any remaining liquid.
- Mix the cabbage with the onion, vinegar, pepper, and mayonnaise.
- Refrigerate before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
- Stir well and enjoy.
What to Serve with Southern-Style Slaw
This creamy slaw pairs well with almost any comfort food or barbecue meal.
Some favorites include:
- Pulled pork sandwiches
- Smoked brisket
- Grilled burgers
- Hot dogs
- Fried chicken
- Barbecue ribs
- Baked beans
- Potato salad
- Corn on the cob
- Pulled chicken sandwiches
- Fish tacos
- Fried fish
Make Ahead
Southern-Style Slaw is actually better after chilling for a few hours. You can prepare it up to one day in advance, then give it a good stir before serving.
If You Enjoyed Southern-Style Slaw
If you love the creamy, tangy flavor of this Southern-Style Slaw, you’ll definitely want to try my Old-Fashioned Potato Salad. It’s another classic cookout side dish that’s rich, creamy, and always disappears fast at barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.
Looking for another easy side to serve with burgers, hot dogs, or pulled pork? My Baked Beans are sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor. Together with this Southern-Style Slaw, they create a barbecue spread everyone will love.
For a refreshing side that’s perfect during the warmer months, make a batch of Cucumber Salad. The crisp cucumbers and light dressing balance hearty grilled meats beautifully, making it another great addition to your picnic table.
No summer cookout feels complete without Old-Fashioned Macaroni Salad. It’s creamy, comforting, and made with simple pantry ingredients, making it a natural companion to this homemade slaw.
Planning a barbecue? Pair this slaw with my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork for an easy meal that’s full of Southern-inspired flavor. The creamy cabbage slaw is the perfect topping for pulled pork sandwiches or served alongside the meat.
If you’re serving burgers, don’t miss my Smash Burger Taco Recipe. These fun, crispy cheeseburger tacos are a family favorite, and this Southern-Style Slaw makes an excellent side dish to round out the meal.
Love homemade barbecue favorites? My Ranchero Beans are another hearty side dish that pairs wonderfully with this slaw. They’re full of bold flavor and make any backyard cookout feel complete.
📌 Save This Recipe
This easy Southern-Style Slaw is one you’ll want to keep on hand all year long. Save it to your favorite Pinterest side dish or barbecue board so it’s ready for your next cookout, picnic, or family dinner.
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Southern-Style Slaw
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Equipment
- box grater (large holes)
- colander
- large bowl
- mixing bowl (medium)
- plastic wrap or airtight container
Ingredients
- 2½ cups green cabbage, grated
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup onion, finely grated
- 2½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise, or up to ½ cup as needed
Instructions
- Place the grated cabbage, granulated sugar, and salt in a colander. Toss gently to combine.2½ cups green cabbage, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1½ teaspoons salt
- Set the colander over a bowl to catch the liquid. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Firmly press the cabbage against the colander to remove as much remaining liquid as possible.
- Transfer the cabbage to a medium bowl.
- Stir in the grated onion, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper.¼ cup onion, 2½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar, ground black pepper
- Add the mayonnaise and stir until the cabbage is lightly and evenly coated. Add additional mayonnaise, if needed, until the desired consistency is reached.⅓ cup mayonnaise
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Stir well before serving.
Notes
🥡 Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving if any liquid collects in the bottom of the bowl.
♨️ Reheating
- This recipe is served cold and should not be reheated.
❄️ Freezing
- Freezing is not recommended.
- The mayonnaise dressing separates after thawing, and the cabbage loses its crisp texture.
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Use the large holes of a box grater for the classic texture.
- Don’t skip salting the cabbage. It helps prevent watery slaw.
- Press out as much liquid as possible before adding the dressing.
- Add the mayonnaise gradually until the cabbage is lightly coated.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving so the flavors have time to develop.
- Stir again just before serving.
🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
- None recommended. This is a no-cook recipe.
♻️ Leftovers
- Serve on pulled pork sandwiches.
- Top burgers or hot dogs.
- Add to fish tacos.
- Spoon onto barbecue sandwiches.
- Use as a topping for baked potatoes.
📝 Notes
- Freshly grated cabbage produces the best flavor and texture.
- Depending on the cabbage’s moisture, you may need slightly more or less mayonnaise.
- The slaw tastes even better after chilling for several hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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