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Classic Coleslaw

USA

Classic Coleslaw

A versatile American side dish using cabbage, carrots, and onions from the garden.

~20 mintotal~269 kcalper serving~3g protein~15g carbs~22g fat

Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 4.

Ingredients

  • ½ head cabbage (green or purple), shredded
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • ½ onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or sugar
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • Salt & pepper
  • Optional: celery seeds, raisins, dill, shredded apple

Cooking Steps

  1. Prep vegetables

    Shred cabbage, grate carrots, slice onions thinly.

  2. Make dressing

    Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.

  3. Combine

    Toss veggies with dressing until well coated.

  4. Chill

    Refrigerate at least 30 minutes for flavors to blend.

Optional Enhancements

  • Creamy Southern slaw → add buttermilk
  • Vinegar slaw → remove mayo, add extra vinegar
  • Sweet slaw → add apple & raisins
  • Dill slaw → add fresh dill & lemon

Plant & Growing Tips

Cabbage

  • Start indoors and transplant when seedlings are 4–6 inches tall.
  • Prefers cool weather (spring/fall).
  • Needs firm soil and steady moisture.
  • Apply compost before planting.

Carrots

  • Direct sow in loose, sandy soil.
  • Thin seedlings early to avoid forked roots.
  • Keep consistently moist during germination.

Onions

  • Plant sets in early spring.
  • Keep weed-free.

Dill (optional)

  • Sow directly in spring.
  • Prefers full sun and moderate watering.
  • Attracts beneficial insects.

Natural Pest Control

  • Cover cabbage beds with netting to block cabbage moths.
  • Interplant dill and onions to repel pests.
  • Carrots: use row covers for carrot flies.
  • Mulch to prevent soil temperature swings.

Harvest

Cabbage

  • Harvest heads when tight and firm.
  • Leave outer leaves to encourage regrowth.

Carrots

  • Pull when smooth, firm, and brightly colored.

Onions

  • Harvest when tops fall over naturally.

Storing & Freezing

Keeps 2–3 days refrigerated. Do not freeze (cabbage becomes watery).

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