How to Make Coleslaw That’s Perfect for Barbecue Season

What would a cookout be without a bowl of coleslaw? This creamy, crunchy salad is practically addictive. Not only does it serve as a palate cleanser between bites of smoky meat—these pulled pork recipes come to mind—but its subtly sweet flavor also makes loading up a plate with it alone so tempting. Yes, you can buy coleslaw at the grocery store, but that can’t come close to the fresh flavor and crisp texture of homemade. It’s worth the little effort.

These coleslaw recipes get cabbage right!

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Emily's Honey Lime Coleslaw

Here’s a refreshing take on slaw with a honey-lime vinaigrette rather than the traditional mayo. It’s a great take-along for all those summer picnics. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Thai Chicken & Slaw

This recipe is foolproof and well worth the prep time. Kids love the sweetness of the honey, and I serve the slaw on the side so my vegetarian friends can enjoy it, too.—Karen Norris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Kale Slaw Spring Salad

My parents and in-laws are retired and like to spend winters in Florida. This tangy spring salad welcomes the snowbirds back for our Easter celebration! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

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Fiesta Coleslaw

Coleslaw with a touch of heat makes a zesty side for barbecue chicken or pork. I also pile it on fish tacos and po'boys. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

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Thai Chicken Coleslaw

My love of Thai peanut sauce inspired this tasty salad creation that always has me going back for seconds. It also make a delicious side when made without chicken. —Jodi Ollerman, West Richland, Washington

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Island Mango Slaw

The cooling effect of mango and Greek yogurt meets jalapeno spice in this snappy take on a slaw. To ensure ripeness, you may want to buy your mango a day or two ahead. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey

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Asian Barbecue Chicken Slaw

When it’s springtime in the South, cabbage is plentiful and we use it. One of our favorite recipes is this combo of Asian slaw and barbecue chicken. Plus, it's easy to halve or double the servings as needed. —Paula Todora, Maple Valley, Washington

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Creamy Coleslaw

For me, this is the best coleslaw recipe because a package of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts down on prep time. This coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois

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Mom's Chopped Coleslaw

For Friday dinners, my mother made coleslaw to go with our fish. It’s still a family tradition, and the tangy dressing even works on a tossed salad. —Cynthia McDowell, Banning, California

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Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing

This is the kind of salad you can keep in the fridge for a couple days and it just gets better. I just add the sunflower seeds before serving to keep the crunch. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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Honey Mustard Coleslaw

I tinkered around with a family cole slaw recipe until I arrived at this sweet & tangy combination. The packaged shredded cabbage is a real time-saver, and the honey helps the dressing come together faster. An added bonus is there no mess to clean up!

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Zesty Coleslaw

This simple slaw tastes best when it's refrigerated for at least one hour. The mixture seems to get creamier as it sits. —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota

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Blue Cheese & Grape Coleslaw

Dishes like coleslaw beg for a fresh approach. I update mine with almonds, grapes, blue cheese and bacon for a grand bowl of color and crunch. —Jeannine Bunge, Hartley, Iowa

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Basil Dill Coleslaw

I was introduced to basil when I married into an Italian family. I loved the aromatic fragrance and flavor of the herb. I think it adds a unique flavor to this tasty slaw that’s a cool side to grilled meats. —June Cappetto, Seattle, Washington

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Sriracha Veggie Slaw

I wanted to rev up coleslaw to serve with seafood or pulled pork barbecue. Nothing adds zip like a squirt of Sriracha and a shower of chopped cilantro. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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Apple Maple Pecan Salad

A well-made salad has good taste and pleasing crunch. This one with cabbage, apples and pecans gets high marks in both, with extra points for color contrast. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Caraway Coleslaw with Citrus Mayonnaise

The combination of caraway and orange keeps this slaw from being anything but run-of-the-mill. I always get requests to bring a big batch to potlucks; proof positive that it's a keeper! I also like to make it a day ahead so the flavors can truly blend. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Pineapple Coleslaw

"WHEN I was a child, my mother often served this salad with multicolored marshmallows sprinkled on top, much to my delight. The marshmallows added a touch of sweetness that really complemented this salad's tangy flavor.

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Pennsylvania Dutch Coleslaw

My mother used to make this salad on holidays. With all the cabbage that is grown here in the Northwest, the recipe is a real natural for us! —Deb Darr, Falls City, Oregon

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Follow along as our Test Kitchen walks through the ins and outs of making an irresistibly creamy coleslaw from scratch.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 pound cabbage

Step 1: Core the cabbage

Coleslaw is all about the cabbage. Prepping it is the most work you’ll do for this recipe. To quickly chop a cabbage: Cut the cabbage in half. Make a V-shaped cut into each half to remove the core. Discard or compost the core. (Trying to add it to a veggie stock will overwhelm the flavor.)

Test Kitchen tip: Purple cabbage tastes just as delicious as its green counterpart. It will give your sauce, however, a lavender hue that probably won’t look too appetizing.

Step 2: Get shredding

The way you cut the cabbage is important. It determines how much water will be released when it sits. Chopped cabbage holds more water and stays crunchier over time. Shredded or grated cabbage releases more water, so it can become a bit softer. However you do it is your preference, but we’ve got two easy techniques.

Chop with a knife

Using a sharp chef’s knife, chop your cabbage halves into wedges. Then, thinly slice across each wedge to shred the cabbage.

Use a food processor

A food processor (we like this one) makes shredding cabbage extra simple. You still begin by cutting the cabbage into wedges. Set up a chopping blade in your processor. One by one, drop cabbage wedges into the food chute. Pulse on high while pressing the cabbage down with the pusher. Your machine will be able to shred a huge head of cabbage in mere seconds.

Test Kitchen tip: Want to skip a couple of steps? Shredded mixes can be found at most markets. Often they’ll mix in ingredients like brussels sprouts or kale. These ingredients taste just as delicious in a slaw.

Step 3: Make the dressing

Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and seasonings in a large bowl until smooth. Toss in the shredded cabbage.

Test Kitchen tip: If you’re planning on adding in onion, do so sparingly. As the coleslaw sits (like this overnight slaw does), the onion’s flavor will intensify over time, overpowering the other delicious flavors.

Step 4: Refrigerate

Put the mixture in the fridge for at least two hours. Coleslaw tastes better the longer it sits. If you can prep ahead a day or longer, the flavor will be worth the wait. (After several days, however, it will start to get soggy.)

Test Kitchen tip: Don’t forget to taste the slaw after it sits. It may need a little more salt and pepper.

Once your creamy coleslaw is ready, there are many ways to gobble it up. Go beyond BBQ and try sprinkling it over a tostada or packing it onto your burger bun. For a classic combination, pair it with this Southwest Pulled Pork or Crispy Beer Battered Fish.

Wanna go coleslaw-crazy? Add some macaroni!