Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Slaw with red cabbage is not just a side dish. Added inside your favorite pulled pork sliders it can add extra crunch and a ton more flavor. After you give this easy side dish a whirl and let us know what you think!

I was not always a lover or simple cabbage recipes growing up. My grandmother cooked it in some way for every meal though, so I did try a few. Fast forward to me turning 40 and I don’t know what happened, I love everything about it now!! I usually use green cabbage for everything but this color is so much prettier.

There is a lot you can add into this for flavor, or omit depending on your taste buds. When it comes to seasonings it is really up to you but I will always add simple ingredients this time in the recipe card below.

Ingredient Notes

Dijon mustard – add amount listed, then taste and adjust as needed. Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar if you prefer. Fresh lemon juice is best but bottled will work. Honey or maple syrup for added sweetness. Olive oil is best, avocado oil would be the best alternative

Large Carrots should be peeled and sliced thin too. Green onion diced is best to add flavor and texture. Bell pepper cut into small bits we like

Variations

You can add a bit more depth with cheese if you like, like our blue cheese coleslaw has. Some like a sprinkle of sesame or pumpkin seeds for flavor and texture. Of course you’ll need a large bowl to toss it all together too. Tongs are helpful too.

How long should you let coleslaw sit before serving?

The minimum for me is 30 minutes, I think 1-2 hours is ideal. Chilled while it is soaking in nicely is the ideal way to make it if you ask me. Once it’s chilled nicely in an airtight container you’ll be ready to enjoy it. I wouldn’t leave it open in the fridge or it will dry out a bit.

To create the uber flavorful cole slaw dressing it is easiest to use a large mixing cup that has a spout like you see here already. Then you can just pour it on and toss well. Or use a large bowl to whisk together. Our favorite way to serve this is with slow cooker pork shoulder as sliders.

FAQ

You will of course start off with a whole head of red cabbage, of course. Sometimes this is called purple cabbage because of it’s color but they are both the same thing. The thinner the slices the easier it will be to eat. In this case I recommend shredding it or dicing real fine so the dressing can soak in nicely.

It doesn’t matter whether it is red or green, you should slice the head in half when making easy cole slaw. Slice the cabbage in half again and remove the core. Put the flat side down and cut at a diagonal. You could use a mandolin too once it’s cut into quarters if you’d rather. We show you here how to cut cabbage but the most common and one I suggest is shaved with a mandoline.

You could if you wanted the pieces to be really really fine. I prefer to use this to just shred carrots to include inside. You can find shredders that give you more of a slice though instead of the small holes, that would work in this case.

You can. Just remember that sitting beyond a few hours will make it less crisp and crunchy but if you’re trying to meal prep for a large gathering this could be something prepared beforehand and covered.

If stored properly in a well sealed container it will easily last up to 5 days. Keep in mind though, the longer it sits the less crispy each bite will be. For me I only like it a day after with leftovers warmed up, after that I’m done.

Obviously if there is mold present, throw it out. If the colors have changed that is another bad sign. Smell it, is there a strange odor? Toss it if it tastes bad too. You can kinda tell though, it will get kinda’ sticky and wilted looking.

What food goes with coleslaw?

You can just serve it with the best baked pork chops or a cooked frozen roast in Instant Pot for dinnertime. 😉 Easy peasy idea.

Other red cabbage recipes

You can make lots of main dishes with it too like Crockpot cabbage soup. Want a warm way to make another head of this and serve with your favorite protein? Give our roasted red cabbage steaks a whirl too.