The Best Creamy Southern Coleslaw

This creamy Southern coleslaw is made with freshly shredded green cabbage, carrots, Duke’s mayonnaise, sweet salad cubes, and just a hint of sugar and apple cider vinegar. A perfect side dish for BBQs, hot dogs, sandwiches, or Sunday supper. A classic you’ll turn to all summer.

In the South, there are a few things you can always count on: sweet tea on the porch, sliced tomatoes on a plate, and a big bowl of coleslaw on the table especially in the summertime. My mama believed coleslaw belonged at nearly every meal, and I can still see that platter in my mind: coleslaw on one end, juicy homegrown tomatoes in the center, and cantaloupe slices fanned out like sunshine.

This coleslaw recipe is the one I always come back to fresh, creamy, tangy-sweet, and just crunchy enough. It’s made the old-fashioned way, with Duke’s mayonnaise (of course), sweet salad cubes, and a touch of sugar to balance everything out. Whether you’re piling it onto barbecue sandwiches, scooping it beside baked beans, or topping your hot dogs Southern-style, this slaw is the one to keep in your back pocket all year long.

Why You’ll Love The Best Creamy Coleslaw Recipe:

• Simple and classic: No purple cabbage, no frills just the traditional green cabbage and carrots done right.
• Creamy and crunchy: Duke’s mayonnaise gives it that unbeatable Southern creaminess.
• A perfect make-ahead side: Great for cookouts, potlucks, or Sunday supper.
• Sweet and tangy: A little sugar and apple cider vinegar give it just the right balance.
• Versatile: Serve it with barbecue, pulled pork, hot dogs, burgers, or fried chicken slaw goes with everything.

What you’ll Need to make The Best Creamy Southern Coleslaw

(Be sure to see the full printable recipe below this post.)

• Fresh green cabbage, finely chopped or shredded
• Fresh carrots, shredded
• Heavy duty mayonnaise
• Sweet salad cubes (not relish)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• (Tip: If you’re in a hurry, you can use pre-packaged coleslaw mix—but fresh always tastes better!)

How to make the Best Creamy Southern Coleslaw

1. Chop or shred the cabbage: Finely chop using a knife for best texture, or use a mandoline. Place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add shredded carrots and sweet salad cubes.

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing: Duke’s mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and carrots, and toss gently until fully coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (a little extra sugar, salt, or vinegar depending on preference).
3. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve cold.

Success Tips for the Best Southern Coleslaw:

• Chop it fine: Especially if you’re serving it on sandwiches or slaw dogs, chop the cabbage finely with a knife instead of using a food processor, which can make it watery.
• Use real Duke’s mayonnaise or a heavy duty mayonnaise. There’s just no substitute for that rich, tangy flavor.
• Sweet salad cubes add a perfect pop—don’t use relish, it’s not the same.
• Add sugar to taste: Even if you don’t love sweet slaw, a touch of sugar balances the vinegar.
• Don’t overdress it: You want it creamy, not soupy.
• Make just ahead of serving: Coleslaw can get soggy if made too far in advance. If you do prep ahead, store the dressing separately and toss before serving.

Storage Tips and Entertaining Advice:

• Keep it chilled: If you’re serving it outdoors, place your bowl of coleslaw inside a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it safe and cold in the summer heat.
• Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. It’s best within 1–2 days.

Perfect for barbecues: This slaw is ideal on pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, or alongside baked beans and corn on the cob.

Thank you for stopping by! I’ll be back soon with more delicious Southern recipes.

Aletia

More recipes that you will love!!

Crunchy Oriental Coleslaw

Southern Potato Salad

The Original Watergate Salad

Southern Creamy Cucumber, Tomato and Vidalia Onion Salad/

Southern Cucumber, Tomato and Vidalia Onion Salad

The Best Baked Beans

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions about the recipes.  I would love to hear from you and if you make it, be sure to use #deliciouslysouthern and let me know how you like it. Lastly, please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Click here to purchase an autographed copy of my cookbook “Deliciously Southern “. It features over 370 delicious Southern recipes!Deliciously Southern (Autographed Edition)

Print