Coleslaw Dressing

Creamy, tart, and mildly candy, this straightforward coleslaw dressing is a good condiment for coleslaws, salads, and tons of different aspect dishes. We’ve been making it for years now, and it’s all the time a welcome addition to the dinner desk.

A horizontally aligned close up shot showing a spoon lifting the dressing slightly out of the jar into the foreground. In the background a black and white checkered cloth is visible.

We’ve grown to like our classic memphis-style coleslaw a lot, we make it continuously. However, what I’ve discovered through the years is that nothing beats a freshly dressed slaw. Pre-made coleslaw simply sits there, getting soggy. So, I’ve taken to creating this coleslaw dressing recipe upfront and retaining it within the fridge alongside the remainder of our favourite salad dressings. That means, when it’s time to eat, I simply shred the cabbage, drizzle the dressing, and toss. At all times contemporary. At all times crisp.

I’ve been making dressings from scratch since lengthy earlier than the beginning of this weblog. The comfort of prepping my favourite condiments with elements I’ve at dwelling simply can’t be beat. And, making your dressings contemporary provides you taste that’s SO a lot better than bottled!

This one is southern type, by and thru. Creamy mayo base, hit of apple cider vinegar for tang, a little bit of sugar, and celery seeds. These celery seeds are a should. They convey simply the best earthy, peppery chew to distinction the candy sugar. Strive them on this recipe for coleslaw dressing, and also you’ll by no means return.

Past coleslaw, this dressing is flexible sufficient to carry a coleslaw kick to loads of different salads. And, I don’t wish to brag, however I’ve watched somebody come again for thirds of this slaw at a cookout. So there’s that.

Dressing the coleslaw with a metal spoon, drizzling it over freshly shredded cabbage.

Elements and Substitutions

Mayo – I all the time use customary, full-fat mayonnaise. It provides the dressing that thick, creamy base you need. Gentle mayo will work in a pinch.

Apple Cider Vinegar – You’re going to like the tart taste that apple cider vinegar lends to this dressing. Common vinegar ain’t obtained nothing on us.

Sugar – I take advantage of a small quantity of sugar to assist steadiness the flavors of the vinegar and celery seeds.

Mustard – Dijon all the way in which! I choose the sharper taste of this mustard. However, you need to use customary yellow mustard. Simply know that you could be want to cut back the vinegar a bit, as that number of mustard is extra vinegar ahead.

Celery Seeds – For me, celery seeds are a should in a coleslaw. They convey simply the best earthy, peppery bitterness to distinction an in any other case candy and tangy base.

Onion – Onion powder is my go-to for all dressings, besides once I need noticeable chunks of zesty onion, like in thousand island dressing. The powder distributes extra absolutely all through the dressing, infusing it with taste with none of the onion chew.

Salt – I all the time use kosher salt. At all times. Nicely, until I say in any other case. However, not less than 99.44% of the time.

A horizontally aligned image Mary measuring the ingredients into a mixing bowl.

Notes on Tools

Mixing bowl – This bowl is a complete workhorse! It handles all of it with ease, from mixing batters to tossing salads. Metal doesn’t flinch at an prolonged beating, and the non-slip base retains it firmly in place.
Whisk
Measuring cups – I’ve a drawer full of assorted measuring cups, however these are those I attain for, each time when making my dressings. They’ve obtained a pleasant heft with out being heavy, they measure precisely, and so they’re dishwasher protected. I’ve had mine for nearly 10 years now and so they’re nonetheless going sturdy.
Measuring spoons
Hermetic container or jar for storing

A horizontally aligned action shot showing Mary pouring the dressing from a small jar over the cabbage.

Make Coleslaw Dressing

Combining the Elements: I add all the elements to a small bowl. That’s mayo, sugar, mustard, vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and onion powder. Nothing fancy. However, in order for you, you possibly can add a bit of velvet rope and make them wait in line. No judgement, right here!

Whisking: We have now to whisk all of it collectively till clean and effectively mixed. Then, I give it a style. That is the place you alter. Does it want extra tang? Some sweetness? Does it really feel muted ultimately? You’ll be able to tweak it with further vinegar, sugar, or salt to fit your style.

Chilling: I switch the dressing to a jar with a lid and pop it into the fridge. Now, you may use it immediately. However, I all the time give it time within the fridge to provide the flavors an opportunity to satisfy and greet.

Tossing the Slaw: While you’re able to eat, simply drizzle this wonderful dressing over shredded cabbage and provides it a toss. I wish to coat it evenly, as a result of you possibly can all the time add extra later. Crisp coleslaw beats soggy each time.

A horizontally aligned action shot, showing Mary tossing shredded cabbage with the coleslaw dressing with a pair of tongs.

Knowledgeable Tip

Among the finest issues you are able to do to when making this coleslaw dressing is to provide it the aforementioned time within the fridge. These are some large flavors. We have to give them time to mellow and get to know one another. Ready let’s the whole lot meld into the fabulous flavors you need. It tastes good immediately. However, it tastes even higher after a couple of hours.

Management Consistency – The dressing shouldn’t be runny, but it surely ought to be pourable and simple to stir. If it’s too skinny, add a spoonful of mayo and whisk it once more. Too thick? One other teaspoon of apple cider vinegar will loosen it proper up.

Season Twice – Style the dressing earlier than and after time within the fridge. The flavors would possibly shift a bit of as they chill. I take advantage of the measurements on this recipe as a baseline, however I’ll all the time do a remaining style examine earlier than serving and tweak issues if wanted.

Gown When Serving – Maintain the dressing and the shredded cabbage separate till you’re able to eat. This manner you keep away from serving unhappy, watery coleslaw to your friends.

Serving Solutions

This coleslaw dressing signifies that slaw turns into just about the simplest aspect ever. We wish to eat our slaw on high of a barbecue sundae. It begins with a base of sweet and tangy pulled pork. Then, you high that with the best slow cooker baked beans, and end it with a scoop of creamy chilly coleslaw. It’s an unbelievable mixture of flavors, and so definitely worth the effort.

However, if you happen to’re searching for one thing a bit of easier? You’ll be able to’t go improper with a build your own hot dog bar. Simply add the coleslaw to the lineup and watch it disappear.

A vertically aligned close up photo showing the dressing in a glass jar over a wooden tabletop with the shredded cabbage in a bowl visible in the upper left background.

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: Sure! This dressing can (and actually ought to) be made upfront. I often prep a batch to make use of for salads and sides later within the week. Simply give it shake every time earlier than use.

Retailer: You’ll be able to retailer this dressing in an hermetic container within the fridge for a few week. Give it a stir or shake earlier than serving, if it’s been sitting for a couple of days.

Extra Coleslaw Recipes

Can I substitute celery salt for the celery seeds?

That’s a stable NO. Celery salt isn’t substitute as a result of it’s largely salt with a small quantity of floor celery seed blended in. You’d have so as to add an excessive amount of celery salt to get the identical quantity of taste and that quantity of added salt would smash the dressing. Celery seeds, however, offer you pure taste with out altering the salt degree.

Do I’ve to make use of mustard?

My good friend, you can also make this dressing nevertheless you need. You’ll be able to skip the mustard. However, it can take away a reasonably distinctive be aware on this dressing. I’d make a tiny batch, if altering the recipe that a lot, to see if you happen to truly just like the end result, first.

What about changing the sugar?

Once more, you can also make it the way you need. I’m not the boss of you. However, I wrote the recipe to steadiness every of the flavour aspects between the tang, sweetness, richness, kick, and so on. Relying on what you would possibly select to substitute, the style and consistency of the dressing could also be fully completely different.

How far upfront can I make this?

This retains effectively within the fridge for as much as every week. Admittedly, I’m fairly frugal, so I’ve even used it after that. However, I don’t advocate rolling the cube with meals security.

In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and onion powder.
Whisk till clean and effectively mixed. Style and alter seasoning as desired.
Switch to an hermetic container and refrigerate the dressing till prepared to make use of. Stir or shake earlier than utilizing.