21 Coleslaw Recipes That Will Instantly Become Stars of the Picnic (2024)

food

By Taryn Pire

•

Published May 13, 2023

There are few things less appetizing than a bowl of gloppy, store-bought coleslaw languishing at the end of a picnic table (roasting in the summer sun, no less). But when done right, coleslaw can be one of the tastiest sides of all time, adding cool crunch and refreshing brightness to everything from tacos to pulled pork to burgers. Here are 21 of our favorite coleslaw recipes to serve this summer.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Light and Tangy Coleslaw

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, make ahead

This better-for-you coleslaw trades mayo for Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and plenty of vinegar. Not only does this combo provide extra protein, but it also makes the slaw irresistibly tangy.

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Yuki Sugiura/Lagom

2. Swedish ‘Pizzasallad’ Cabbage Slaw

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead, no cook

Fun fact: In Sweden, coleslaw is a standard pizza side, since the vinegar cuts the richness of the cheese and tomato sauce. Who are we to argue?

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Ana Cuba/The Modern Cook's Table

3. Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw

Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, make ahead

There's no anchovy in the Caesar-inspired dressing, so vegetarians can dig in without issue. Instead, soaked almonds and sunflower seeds are the keys to its creaminess.

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Gimme Some Oven

4. Easy Sesame Quinoa Slaw

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, make ahead

Adding protein-packed quinoa means that the leftovers can easily double as a main—or at least as tomorrow’s lunch. Oh, and you’ll want to make a double batch of the sesame-honey vinaigrette—put it on grains and green salads alike.

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The Mom 100

5. Brussels Sprouts, Apple and Pomegranate Slaw

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, no cook

So much texture, so little time. Sure, you can serve this mix of earthy Brussels, sweet-tart apples, juicy pomegranate arils and Dijon dressing for any fall or winter holiday, but it also holds up well at a summer picnic.

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Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

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21 Coleslaw Recipes That Will Instantly Become Stars of the Picnic (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

What was coleslaw originally made of? ›

The roots of coleslaw recipes make their way back to ancient Rome. Roman citizens would often eat a meal featuring cabbage, eggs, vinegar, and other spices. On the other side of the globe, the Dutch founders of New York served a shredded cabbage salad. This is similar to today's 'slaw.

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What does Cole mean in coleslaw? ›

The term "coleslaw" arose in the 18th century as an anglicisation of the Dutch term "koolsla" ("kool" in Dutch sounds like "cole") meaning "cabbage salad". The "cole" part of the word ultimately derives from the Latin caulis, meaning cabbage.

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Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

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Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip

Considering that most coleslaw recipes use mayonnaise, it's safe to assume that KFC does it as well. With its fat, its salt, and its slightly acidic taste, mayo is exactly what's needed to balance and enhance the vinegar, salt, and sugar found in coleslaw.

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Why is coleslaw called John 14? ›

So familiar and faithful are we to this culinary combo that coleslaw is often referred to as John 14 – because, like the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to John, the cabbage salad is always present at important ceremonies. But just because we give food biblical names doesn't make it good for us.

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What country invented coleslaw? ›

Coleslaw

A bowl of traditional Southern U.S. coleslaw
Alternative names	'Slaw
Type	Salad
Place of origin	Netherlands, Germany
Serving temperature	cold or warm

3 more rows

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Who invented coleslaw in America? ›

Its origins can be traced back as far as the ancient Romans, who served a dish of cabbage, vinegar, eggs and spices. The Dutch who founded New York state grew cabbage around the Hudson River that they used in a shredded cabbage salad they called koosla (kool means cabbage and sla is salad).

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How do you make Jamie Oliver coleslaw? ›

Peel the onion and shallot, and slice as finely as you can, along with the cabbage, if using. Add these to the bowl of veg. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and mustard. Pick the herb leaves and chop, then stir into the dressing.

What can I add to store bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

Adding sweetness to coleslaw is a little secret that will make the dish even more delicious. This can come from sugar, honey, or maple syrup in the dressing or, for those who prefer a milder sweet taste, from dried or fresh fruit in the base veggie mix.

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Why is coleslaw now called slaw? ›

Whatever the reason for the formation, people familiar with the food item began tinkering with its name. For instance, the Latin-based cole was substituted for cold and the spelling variant slaugh was used with cold or cole. The name was also chopped to slaw or slaugh.

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What does slaw mean? ›

Slaw is a cold salad commonly made from sliced or chopped raw vegetables, especially cabbage or carrots, mixed with a dressing made with mayonnaise or vinegar.

What is slaw short for? ›

Slaw is shorthand for coleslaw, a side dish or salad that always includes cabbage and sometimes other shredded vegetables. Some slaw is dressed with vinaigrette and other types have a creamy or mayonnaise-based dressing.

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What is coleslaw called in America? ›

US. noun. a salad made of shredded raw cabbage, often mixed with salad dressing and seasoning. : also cole slaw.