This Southern Coleslaw Recipe is the perfect, customizable, summer side. All of the veggies get a hefty coating of creamy dressing, and it’s super easy to make at home. It will quickly become your favorite slaw.
I love to find some delicious variations for coleslaw. Two favorites are my Broccoli Slaw and my Apple Carrot Slaw. They are great when you want a change from traditional cabbage slaws.
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Why this Southern Coleslaw Recipe is a Keeper
My family loves my easy southern coleslaw recipe because it’s an easy homemade alternative to restaurant versions.
- Creamy Texture: Rich dressing coats every bite without becoming heavy.
- Classic Flavor: Sweet, tangy and balanced just like old fashioned deli slaw.
- Quick Prep: Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this an easy side dish.
- Perfect Pairing: Goes with burgers, pulled pork, fried chicken and grilled foods.
- Serve With: Serve this delicious coleslaw recipe with Grilled Chicken Wings, Crockpot Short Ribs Braised in Beer or stick it on a Steakhouse Burger to make it Pittsburgh-style.
How Do you Keep Coleslaw From Getting Watery?
Dry the shredded cabbage with a paper towel to help soak up of some of the moisture. You can also place the cabbage in a colander over the sink and toss with salt to really draw out moisture.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Made this creamy coleslaw for my friend’s birthday party. The guests were amazed, it’s great, thanks!”
~Natalie
Southern Coleslaw Ingredient Notes
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this southern side, and many are kitchen staples.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Shredded Cabbage: Use red and green cabbage to make this creamy southern coleslaw recipe.
- Creole Mustard & Horseradish: This is what will bring a little bite to the best coleslaw.
- Mayo: Mayonnaise is the base for the sweet and tangy, creamy sauce.
Variations and Substitutions for Classic Southern Slaw Mix
There are a couple different swaps you can make to make this classic coleslaw recipe extra delicious.
➡️ Add Color: Mix different colored vegetables into this traditional southern coleslaw.
➡️ Boost Tanginess: Add extra vinegar or a splash of pickle juice. You can even add in a little celery salt if you want.
➡️ Use Slaw Mix: Store-bought coleslaw mix saves prep time.
➡️ Add Crunch: Toss in sunflower seeds for extra texture.
Kitchen Tools To Make Southern Coleslaw Easier
Sometimes there’s a step that can go much faster with the right piece of kitchen equipment. Shred your own cabbage.
- Food Processor: A food processor works really well if you shred a head of cabbage. It also works well for quickly dicing all of the other ingredients.
How to Make Classic Southern Coleslaw
Grandmas coleslaw recipe comes together in just 2 quick and easy steps. It’s a great one to make for a barbecue or just as an easy side to a summer dinner.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, creole mustard, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the Veggies: Stir in the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots and green onions. Make sure everything is coated well. Cover with a lid, or wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and chill for an hour before enjoying.
Make Ahead and Short Cut Tips for the Cabbage Side Dish
This classic southern coleslaw recipe is already really easy, but there are a few things you can do to prepare ahead of time. Make this recipe when you have time.
➡️ Use Bagged Coleslaw Mix: A bag of shredded cabbage saves prep time when a making cole slaw recipe.
➡️ Make the Dressing Early: Make dressing ahead in a mixing bowl and refrigerate, covered, separately. This makes your favorite coleslaw easy to make.
➡️ Prep Vegetables Ahead: Slice cabbage and carrots earlier in the day.
➡️Toss Before Serving: Combining shortly before serving helps maintain crunch to your best southern coleslaw.
How Long Does Homemade Creamy Coleslaw Last?
Homemade coleslaw generally lasts for about 3 days in the fridge. Give it a good stir before enjoying again.
Store and Use Leftover Easy Southern Style Coleslaw
- Storing: Store tightly covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: This easy recipe is best served cold and should not be reheated.
- Using Leftovers: Pile leftover sweet coleslaw onto pulled pork sandwiches, smoked pork butt, burgers or tacos for extra crunch and flavor.
Tips to Make Coleslaw and Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
This is a quick and easy to make recipe. I love to top with some sliced green onions and some fresh squeezed lemon juice.
➡️Dry Thoroughly: Wet cabbage can thin the dressing quickly.
➡️ Slice Evenly: Thin shreds create the best texture and coating.
➡️ Chill Briefly: About 30–60 minutes helps flavors blend without losing crunch.
➡️Taste Before Serving: Cold temperatures soften sweetness and seasoning.
➡️ Avoid Overmixing: Gentle tossing keeps cabbage crisp in the creamy mayo.
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Southern Coleslaw
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Ingredients
- 5 cups Green cabbage, shredded
- 5 cups Red cabbage, shredded
- 2 cups Carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup Green onions, finely sliced
- 2 teaspoons Lemon juice
- ½ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- 1½ teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon Creole mustard, or other coarse-grained mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Horseradish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine together the mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, mustard, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper.
- Add cabbage, carrots and onion.
- Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Christina’s Notes
- Prevent Thin Dressing: Dry the cabbage thoroughly to prevent the extra moisture from thinning the sauce.
- Best Texture: Thin, even slices really give the best texture.
- Chill: Allow to chill for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
- Be Gentle: Keep the cabbage crisp and in-tact by tossing gently.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Easy to prepare and delicious to eat. I prepared it for dinner yesterday with baked pork ribs and we all loved it.
This was a big hit at our family get together over the weekend. Delicious and so much better than store-bought!
Made this creamy coleslaw for my friend’s birthday party. The guests were amazed, it’s great, thanks!
Just the coleslaw recipe I was looking for! Thank You!
This sounds so creamy and delicious! Would be the perfect side dish for summer picnics and barbeques, for sure!