Coleslaw Dressing

Creamy, tart, and mildly candy, this easy coleslaw dressing is a superb condiment for coleslaws, salads, and tons of different facet 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 often. However, what I’ve discovered over time 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 holding it within the fridge alongside the remainder of our favourite salad dressings. That manner, when it’s time to eat, I simply shred the cabbage, drizzle the dressing, and toss. All the time contemporary. All the time 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 components 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 model, by way of and thru. Creamy mayo base, an excellent hit of apple cider vinegar for tang, a little bit of sugar, and celery seeds. These celery seeds are a should. They carry simply the appropriate 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 need 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.

Components and Substitutions

Mayo – I all the time use normal, full-fat mayonnaise. It provides the dressing that thick, creamy base you need. Mild 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 exploit a small quantity of sugar to assist steadiness the flavors of the vinegar and celery seeds.

Mustard – Dijon all the way in which! I favor the sharper taste of this mustard. However, you should use normal 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 carry simply the appropriate 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 after I need noticeable chunks of zesty onion, like in thousand island dressing. The powder distributes extra totally all through the dressing, infusing it with taste with none of the onion chew.

Salt – I all the time use kosher salt. All the time. Effectively, except I say in any other case. However, a minimum of 99.44% of the time.

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

Notes on Gear

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 secure. I’ve had mine for nearly 10 years now and so they’re nonetheless going robust.
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.

The best way to Make Coleslaw Dressing

Combining the Components: I add all the components to a small bowl. That’s mayo, sugar, mustard, vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and onion powder. Nothing fancy. However, if you need, you possibly can add just a little velvet rope and make them wait in line. No judgement, right here!

Whisking: Now we have to whisk all of it collectively till clean and nicely mixed. Then, I give it a style. That is the place you modify. Does it want extra tang? Some sweetness? Does it really feel muted in a roundabout way? You’ll be able to tweak it with additional 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 instantly. However, I all the time give it time within the fridge to present the flavors an opportunity to fulfill and greet.

Tossing the Slaw: If you’re able to eat, simply drizzle this superb dressing over shredded cabbage and provides it a toss. I prefer to coat it calmly, 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 best issues you are able to do to when making this coleslaw dressing is to present it the aforementioned time within the fridge. These are some massive 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 instantly. However, it tastes even higher after just a few 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 may shift just a little as they chill. I exploit the measurements on this recipe as a baseline, however I’ll all the time do a closing style examine earlier than serving and tweak issues if wanted.

Costume When Serving – Preserve the dressing and the shredded cabbage separate till you’re able to eat. This fashion you keep away from serving unhappy, watery coleslaw to your visitors.

Serving Recommendations

This coleslaw dressing implies that slaw turns into just about the best facet ever. We prefer 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 unimaginable mixture of flavors, and so well worth the effort.

However, should you’re in search of one thing just a little easier? You’ll be able to’t go flawed 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 an excellent shake every time earlier than use.

The best way to 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 just a few days.

Extra Coleslaw Recipes

Can I substitute celery salt for the celery seeds?

That’s a strong NO. Celery salt isn’t an excellent substitute as a result of it’s largely salt with a small quantity of floor celery seed combined in. You’d have so as to add quite a lot of celery salt to get the identical quantity of taste and that quantity of added salt would wreck the dressing. Celery seeds, alternatively, offer you pure taste with out altering the salt degree.

Do I’ve to make use of mustard?

My pal, you may make this dressing nonetheless you need. You’ll be able to skip the mustard. However, it is going to take away a reasonably distinctive observe on this dressing. I’d make a tiny batch, if altering the recipe that a lot, to see should you really just like the end result, first.

What about changing the sugar?

Once more, you may 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 many others. Relying on what you may select to substitute, the style and consistency of the dressing could also be fully totally different.

How far upfront can I make this?

This retains nicely within the fridge for as much as per week. Admittedly, I’m fairly frugal, so I’ve even used it after that. However, I don’t suggest 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 nicely mixed. Style and modify seasoning as desired.
Switch to an hermetic container and refrigerate the dressing till prepared to make use of. Stir or shake earlier than utilizing.