Crisp shredded cabbage salad (Printable Version)

Cabbage and carrot salad with creamy, tangy dressing, ideal as a cool, crunchy side.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small green cabbage, finely shredded (approximately 1.54 lbs)
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and grated
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Dressing

04 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
05 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
07 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
08 - 1/2 teaspoon celery seed (optional)
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and sliced red onion if using.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, celery seed if using, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Before serving, toss again and adjust seasoning if necessary.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of side that actually makes people ask for seconds, which almost never happens with vegetables.
  • Ready in 15 minutes of hands-on work, then the fridge does the heavy lifting while you relax.
  • One bowl of this feeds a crowd and somehow tastes better the next day than it did fresh.
02 -
  • Shred the cabbage thin enough that it wilts into the dressing, not so thick that it stays crunchy and watery.
  • Don't skip the refrigeration time, even if you're hungry, because the flavors need that time to actually meld into something greater than the sum of their parts.
  • If your coleslaw gets watery as it sits, it means your cabbage was high in water content or you oversalted, so drain some liquid before serving again.
03 -
  • If you want a tangier coleslaw, use half mayo and half sour cream, or go full vinegar-based by replacing the mayo with olive oil and extra vinegar.
  • A mandoline will shred your cabbage in seconds and with perfect uniformity, but a sharp knife works fine if you take your time and don't rush it.
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