Southern Style Slaw Recipe – The Creamy, Tangy Side Dish Everyone’s Talking About!

Introduction

There’s just something about Southern-style slaw that brings everyone to the table. I remember summers at my grandmother’s house in Georgia — the air thick with BBQ smoke, pitchers of sweet tea sweating on the porch, and a big bowl of her creamy slaw taking center stage.

This Southern Style Slaw is crunchy, cool, and a little bit sassy. The tangy dressing — made with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard — hugs every bit of shredded cabbage just right. It’s quick to make, perfect for cookouts, and honestly? It’s the dish that disappears first every single time.

What Makes This Recipe Special

• Creamy + Tangy Perfection: Balanced flavors that hit that sweet-sour Southern note just right.
• Quick & Easy: Just 10 minutes to prep — no fancy gadgets needed.
• Versatile: Great on BBQ plates, sandwiches, or fish tacos.
• Viral Favorite: A classic recipe that’s blowing up again on TikTok for a reason — it’s comfort food, reinvented.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Slaw Base:

• 4 cups shredded cabbage (green or mix of green and purple)
• 1 carrot, shredded
• ½ onion, finely chopped

For the Creamy Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Tools You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Sharp knife or mandoline
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula

How to Make Southern Style Slaw

1. Prep the veggies: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, carrot, and onion.
2. Mix the dressing: In a smaller bowl, whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and glossy.
3. Combine: Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss until every shred is coated.
4. Taste test: Adjust seasoning — a touch more vinegar for tang, a pinch of sugar if you like it sweet.
5. Chill time: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This lets the flavors marry beautifully.
6. Serve cold: Right before serving, give it one last toss and maybe a sprinkle of cracked black pepper on top.

Quick Ingredient Swap Table

What to Serve With It

Pair this creamy Southern-style slaw with:

• Smoky BBQ pulled pork sandwiches – the crunch balances all that saucy goodness.
• Crispy fried chicken – Southern perfection on a plate.
• Grilled fish tacos – adds a cool contrast to spicy toppings.

Want more summer inspo? Check out Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Quick Pickled Cucumbers, and Southern Cornbread Salad.

Tips for Perfect Results

1. Chill before serving — that’s when the cabbage softens just enough.
2. Don’t skip the vinegar — it’s the secret to balancing the creamy dressing.
3. Use fresh cabbage — pre-shredded works, but nothing beats that crisp texture from a fresh head.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it gets a bit watery, just stir before serving — the flavor stays amazing.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between Southern slaw and regular coleslaw?
Southern slaw has a creamier dressing with mayo and vinegar, while Northern versions often skip the sugar or mustard.

2. Can I make Southern-style slaw ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better the next day after chilling overnight.

3. Can I make this without mayo?
Yes! Try half Greek yogurt and half sour cream for a lighter, tangy twist.

4. How long does homemade coleslaw last?
Up to 3 days refrigerated in a sealed container.

5. Can I use bagged coleslaw mix?
Totally — it saves time and still tastes delicious.

6. What meats pair best with Southern slaw?
Pulled pork, fried chicken, or grilled shrimp are all perfect matches.

Conclusion

And there you have it — a simple bowl of creamy Southern-style slaw that’ll steal the spotlight at any cookout. It’s crunchy, tangy, and addictively good. If you make it, tag us on Instagram or TikTok @easymealstoprep — I’d love to see your twist on it!

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly quick-prep favorites straight from my kitchen to yours.

Southern Style Slaw Recipe – The Creamy, Tangy Side Dish Everyone’s Talking About!

Sharis Mariner

A cool, creamy, and tangy coleslaw that’s a Southern staple — made with crunchy cabbage, sweet carrots, and a zippy dressing of mayo, vinegar, and mustard. It’s the side dish that steals the show.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Southern

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Sharp knife or mandoline
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups shredded cabbage (green or mixed)
• 1 carrot, shredded
• ½ onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, carrot, and onion.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated.
• Taste and adjust seasoning — add more vinegar or sugar to taste if needed.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
• Give the slaw a final toss before serving and garnish with extra black pepper if desired.

Notes

Let the slaw chill for at least an hour before serving — this helps the flavors meld and softens the cabbage just enough. You can use bagged coleslaw mix to save time, but fresh cabbage gives unbeatable crunch.

Keyword bbq side dish, creamy slaw, easy slaw recipe, southern coleslaw