Homemade Coleslaw

Name: Homemade Coleslaw
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar; 1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 1/2 cups cabbage (finely chopped or shredded); 1/2 cup chopped celery; 1/2 cup chopped onion

February 8, 2020 by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated February 10, 2021 17 Comments

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Homemade Coleslaw is very easy to prepare. You don’t need to buy this pre-packaged. Save money by making your own simple homemade coleslaw from scratch.

homemade coleslaw made with green cabbage

This coleslaw recipe with video is part of my learn to cook series. I recently came across my old home economics cookbook, and I am working my way through the whole cookbook cooking and making a video for each recipe. This way I can show you how I learned how to cook. Perhaps you need to learn how to cook as well.

Table of Contents

Why make homemade coleslaw?

We are making a very simple homemade coleslaw recipe. I know you can now purchase coleslaw in the grocery store pre-made. You can also make coleslaw from scratch. Why would you want to?

You may want to customize it the way you like. When you make it from scratch you can add more onion if you desire. You could add some shredded carrots or even some shredded apple for a nice change.

You may also want to control the amount of sugar, or even use a sugar substitute in this recipe. Now you have a nice basic recipe to work from.

What goes in homemade coleslaw?

A basic coleslaw has cabbage and a creamy dressing. Beyond the basic, coleslaw can have onion, celery, carrot, and even apple for additional flavors.

You don’t need to buy a bottle of coleslaw dressing, you can quickly and easily make a delicious homemade dressing for your slaw.

This recipe is very easy. We are going to make a creamy dressing that is simple and tastes wonderful. Then we will toss cabbage, onion, and celery with the dressing.

Ingredients

I bet you already have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now. Here’s a list of what you need:

green cabbage
white onion
celery
mayonnaise
white vinegar
sugar
ground black pepper
heavy cream

I sometimes add a little purple cabbage when I make homemade coleslaw. This gives your salad a nice color, and it is a simple addition.

Here is a trick if you only need a few leaves of purple cabbage. Just buy that much when you go to the grocery store. You can simply peel off a few leaves of the purple cabbage and pay for what you want. I learned this trick when I used to work in grocery stores years ago.

How to Make Coleslaw from Scratch

Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, cream, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Place cabbage, celery, and onion in a large bowl.
Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and stir to combine.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

How long does homemade coleslaw last?

Homemade coleslaw lasts for 3 to 5 days. It should be kept refrigerated. Note it will become less crunchy as the cabbage softens.

How far in advance should coleslaw be made?

Coleslaw is best when made an hour before serving. You can make it up to 3 days ahead but the dressing will become watery and the cabbage will soften. Freshly made coleslaw has a nice crunch and the dressing is creamy.

Love Coleslaw? Try these recipes!

Favorite Cabbage Recipes

Check out more of my easy salad recipes and the best side dish recipes here on CopyKat!