Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (2024)

Published: by Deborah Rainford · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw is a classic side dish recipe that brings a creamy, tangy, and refreshing flavour to your meals. This seriously good homemade coleslaw recipe is a crowd-pleaser, whether you're serving it at a barbecue, or potluck, or enjoying it as a light summer salad. In just a few simple steps and about 15 minutes, you can create a bowl of coleslaw that will perfectly complement any main course. Let's dive into why you'll love this recipe and how to make it!

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (1)

I've adapted Jamie's recipe slightly. I've kept the apple (it is optional) but also added in some red cabbage for colour and extra crunch.

This tangy, crunchy coleslaw is the perfect side for any BBQ you're having this summer. It goes particularly well this BBQ-pulled chicken, or these prawn tacos.

Jump to:
  • ⭐️ Why You'll Love This Homemade Coleslaw
  • 🧾 Basic ingredients for coleslaw
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Step By Step
  • 💡 Top tip
  • 🍯 Storage
  • 💡 Top tip
  • ❓FAQ
  • Related
  • What to serve with Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw
  • Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe

⭐️ Why You'll Love This Homemade Coleslaw

  • Creamy and tangy dressing: The homemade coleslaw dressing combines mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create a luscious dressing with the perfect balance of flavors.
  • Versatile cabbage selection: You can use a combination of red and green cabbage for a visually appealing coleslaw. However, you can also opt for green cabbage, red cabbage, or savoy cabbage based on your preference and availability.
  • Customisable crunch: This coleslaw recipe allows you to control the texture of your dish. If you prefer a crunchier coleslaw, simply shred the cabbage and grate the carrots coarser. On the other hand, if you prefer a more delicate texture, shred the vegetables finer. The choice is yours, and you can tailor it to suit your personal preference.

🧾 Basic ingredients for coleslaw

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (2)
  • Cabbage (red and green, or your preferred variety)
  • Carrots
  • Mayonnaise
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: sugar (for a sweeter coleslaw)

See recipe card for quantities.

📖 Substitutions & Variations

Substitutions

  • low-fat: if you'd like a lower-fat and lower-calorie version of coleslaw, you can use light or reduced-fat mayonnaise.
  • Tangy: In place of apple cider vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or lemon juice for a slightly different flavour profile.
  • Mustard: Dijon mustard can be substituted with whole-grain mustard or even yellow mustard if that's what you have on hand.

Variations

  • For a shortcut, you can use pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix available at most grocery stores. Follow the same steps for preparing the dressing and combine it with the bagged coleslaw mix.
  • Feel free to customise your coleslaw by adding other ingredients such as sliced radishes, sliced onions, or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill.

👩🏻‍🍳 Step By Step

Cutting and Shredding Cabbage

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (3)
Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (4)
  • Begin by selecting the cabbage for your coleslaw. For an eye-catching presentation, use a combination of red and green cabbage. Remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves.
  • Quarter the cabbage and remove the core. Finely shred the cabbage using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.
  • Peel and grate the carrots. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and grated carrots.

*Shortcut: Bagged Coleslaw Mix- use pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix as an alternative.

Making Coleslaw Dressing

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (5)
Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (6)
  • To prepare the dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
  • Add about two-thirds of the dressing to the cabbage and carrot mixture. Gently toss until the vegetables are evenly coated. If you prefer a creamier coleslaw, add more dressing as desired.
  • Save any leftover dressing for other uses, such as spreads, dips, or sauces.
  • Serve the coleslaw immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours to allow the flavours to meld together.

💡 Top tip

Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter coleslaw, add a teaspoon or two of sugar to the dressing. Taste and adjust accordingly.

Make-Ahead Tips: Prepare and shred the cabbage and carrots and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store the dressing separately, and mix just before serving.

🍯 Storage

Fridge:

  • The coleslaw can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • It's best to keep the dressing separate and combine it with the cabbage and carrots closer to serving time for a crispier texture.

Freezer:

  • Coleslaw is not suitable for freezing as the vegetables will become watery and lose their crunchiness.

Reheat:

  • Coleslaw is typically served chilled and doesn't require reheating. However, you can bring it to room temperature before serving if desired.

💡 Top tip

Start with less dressing: Add about two-thirds of the dressing to the coleslaw initially, and then taste it. You can add more dressing if desired, but it's easier to adjust the flavour gradually.

❓FAQ

Can I make coleslaw ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the shredded vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve. Combine the dressing with the cabbage and carrots closer to the serving time for the freshest taste.

How can I customise my coleslaw?

This coleslaw recipe is so flexible. Try adding in a grated apple for extra crunch and sweetness, herbs like fresh chopped parsley or spring onion are great choices, too.

Can I make this coleslaw recipe vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make this coleslaw vegan or dairy-free, simply use a vegan mayonnaise substitute, or you can even try using vegan yogurt in place of the mayo. These alternatives will give a creamy texture and taste without using any animal products.

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Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (14)

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw! Tangy, creamy, and crowd-pleasing! This homemade coleslaw features a combination of red and green cabbage, shredded carrots, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for barbecues or as a summer salad.

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American/ British

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Save This Recipe

Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • ½ head of red cabbage, core removed, and thinly sliced
  • ½ head of green cabbage, core removed, and thinly sliced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled
  • 1 small apple, peeled and cored (optional)
  • 250 ml (1 cup) mayonnaise, *use low fat or vegan if preferred
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, *use whole-grain for a different texture
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1-2 teaspoons sugar for a sweeter coleslaw

Instructions

Instructions:

  • Remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves from the cabbage heads.

Prepare the cabbage & carrots

  • Quarter the cabbage and remove the core. Finely shred the cabbage using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer.

  • Peel and grate the carrots and apple. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment.

Make the dressing

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and grated carrots.

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.

Mix the coleslaw and serve

  • Add about two-thirds of the dressing to the cabbage and carrot mixture. Gently toss until the vegetables are evenly coated. Add more dressing if desired for a creamier coleslaw.

  • Taste and adjust the flavor by adding sugar if you prefer a sweeter coleslaw.

  • Serve immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

Notes

  1. If you're short on time, you can use pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix as a shortcut. Follow the same steps for preparing the dressing and combine it with the bagged coleslaw mix.
  2. Customise your coleslaw by adding other ingredients such as sliced radishes, diced onions, or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
  3. Store the coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate and combine it with the cabbage and carrots closer to serving time for a crispier texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4295IU | Vitamin C: 70mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Tag Me @savvybites or tag #savvybites!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nina

    Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (19)
    Absolutely love this recipe! It's been on rotation for weeks in our house. Thank you for sharing it!

    Reply

    • Deborah Rainford

      So happy you loved it, Nina! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating. It's so appreciated. 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Jamie Oliver's Coleslaw Recipe- The Best Coleslaw! (2024)

FAQs

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

How do you keep coleslaw from getting runny? ›

Salting the cabbage should be step one of any coleslaw recipe. With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness.

What can I add to store bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What cancels bitterness? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

What spice takes away bitterness? ›

Spices mask bitter flavors, so don't be shy. Add some spicy peppers or powders to your cooking, or sprinkle some onto your dishes for a little bit of extra heat. Black pepper in particular has compounds that counteract bitterness. Some other great spices include cayenne, red pepper, paprika, and chili powder.

Why do you put salt on cabbage for coleslaw? ›

Salting the cabbage, carrot, and onion purges excess moisture that would otherwise turn the slaw into a soupy mess. Including sugar (another osmosis-inducing ingredient) balances the flavor. Limiting the purge to five minutes keeps the cabbage crunchy.

Why do you soak cabbage before cooking? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

Like the cabbage, these veggie add-ins can also become breeding grounds for bacteria when left unrefrigerated. Coleslaw dressing often includes vinegar that acidulates the mixture, making it a less hospitable environment for those pesky bacteria. But unfortunately, it's not enough to halt bacterial growth completely.

How to doctor up store bought cole slaw? ›

Store bought coleslaw usually has too much dressing for my taste. The first thing I would do is put it i a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and let all the juice drip out. then I would add some fresh herbs, parsley, thyme, basil, oregano are some that come to mind. Perhaps a grated carrot as well.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredients like shredded veggies, fruits, or seasonings to give some variety to the dish. While both feature cabbage as the star of the show, the different dressings set the two apart.

How to neutralize bitter taste? ›

The Fix: Balance bitter flavors by introducing something salty, sweet, or sour. For naturally bitter foods such as kale, you can soften the flavor by add a lemony vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pomegranate seeds. You can also elevate kale by tossing it olive oil and salt, then roasting it in the oven until crispy.

How do you mellow out bitterness? ›

Try to balance bitterness with something else. Something salty -- salt will often cut the bitterness -- but also something fatty.

How to make cabbage less bitter? ›

Salt is your friend: Salt acts as a natural counter to bitter tastes. Adding a bit more salt or something salty like capers to bitter-tasting cabbage will dampen the bitter tastes and increase the sensation from the natural sugars.

How to tone down vinegar taste in coleslaw? ›

- Add some sugar or honey to the dish. Sugar and honey can counteract the sourness of vinegar and add some sweetness to the dish. You can start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.

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