Hey guys! Today, I’m here to take you through the easy and fun art of making slaw. Slaw is a side dish that is made up of vegetables, mainly shredded cabbage, and is often enjoyed with a variety of dishes such as burgers, sandwiches, tacos, or grilled chicken. It is healthy, refreshing and can be made with various ingredients to fit to personal taste.

With the right ingredients and simple steps, you can make your very own slaw in no time. Whether you are a novice cook or a seasoned pro, you can easily add this dish to your repertoire. From the dressing to the vegetables, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. Let’s get started!

Making Your Own Slaw: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of store-bought slaw that’s bland and not up to your taste? Have you always wanted to make your own delicious slaw? Look no further! With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can make a fresh and flavorful slaw that will impress your family and friends. Follow this step-by-step guide on how to make slaw, and you’ll be on your way to a satisfying homemade dish.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

You’ll need a few basic ingredients to make your slaw, and most of them can be found in your pantry. For a basic slaw recipe, you’ll need:

– 1 small head of cabbage or a bag of pre-shredded cabbage
– 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
– 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
– 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
– 1 tablespoon of sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste

2. Preparing Your Cabbage

If you’re working with a head of cabbage, remove any outer leaves and the core. Cut it in half and slice it thinly into shreds. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-shredded cabbage from the market or grocery store.

3. Preparing Your Carrots

Peel your carrot and use a box grater to shred it. Alternatively, you can use a food processor or julienne peeler.

4. Mixing Your Dressing

Whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

5. Combining Your Ingredients

In a large bowl, toss together your cabbage and carrots until well combined. Pour your dressing over the top of your vegetables and toss until the vegetables are evenly coated.

6. Chill Your Slaw

Refrigerate your slaw for at least an hour, or until it’s chilled and the flavors have melded together.

7. Optional Add-Ons

If you’d like to add more flavor to your slaw, consider adding any of these optional ingredients:

– sliced onions
– bell peppers or jalapenos
– green onions
– garlic
– fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro

8. Make It Creamy

To make your slaw extra creamy, mix in a few dollops of sour cream or Greek yogurt to your dressing mixture.

9. Make It Crunchy

For extra crunch, add some toasted nuts or seeds like almonds or sunflower seeds to your slaw.

10. Serving Your Slaw

Your homemade slaw is now ready to serve! It’s best served cold and fresh, and goes perfectly with anything from burgers to BBQ ribs. For added flair, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a drizzle of hot sauce, or a squeeze of lime juice.

In conclusion, making your own slaw at home is easy and quick. With just a few steps, you can create a fresh and flavorful slaw that will be the star of your meal. Try out this basic recipe and add your own twist to it. Happy cooking!

Choosing the Right Cabbage Varieties for Your Slaw

If you want to make the best tasting slaw, you should choose the right type of cabbage. There are many different types of cabbage available, each with their own unique flavor and texture. Listed below are some of the most common types of cabbage that you can use for your slaw:

1. Green Cabbage

Green cabbage is the most commonly used variety of cabbage for slaw. It has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, which makes it perfect for pairing with other ingredients.

2. Red Cabbage

Red cabbage has a slightly stronger flavor than green cabbage. It has a slightly sweet and earthy taste, which makes it perfect for adding color and texture to your slaw.

3. Napa Cabbage

Napa cabbage is a popular variety of cabbage in Asian cuisines. It has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, and it is ideal for adding crunch to your slaw.

4. Savoy Cabbage

Savoy cabbage has a crinkly and bright green leaves. Its taste is slightly sweet and has a delicate flavor, making it perfect for using in slaw.

5. Bok Choy

Bok choy has a mild and slightly sweet flavor and it is also used in many Asian cuisines. It is perfect for adding texture and crunch to your slaw.

6. Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts are not actually a cabbage, but they are often used in slaw. They have a slightly bitter taste, but when combined with other ingredients, they are a great addition to any slaw.

7. Kale

Kale has a robust and slightly bitter flavor, which makes it perfect for those who enjoy a more complex flavor. It also adds a lot of nutrition to your slaw.

8. Collard Greens

Collard greens have a slightly bitter flavor and combine well with other vegetables to create a unique taste. They are also a great source of nutrition, making them an excellent choice for your slaw.

9. Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli slaw is a great alternative to traditional cabbage-based slaws. It has a slightly sweeter taste, but it still has the excellent crunch and texture that you expect from traditional slaw.

10. Coleslaw Mix

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to chop and shred, you can buy a pre-made coleslaw mix. These mixes usually have a combination of cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables. They are perfect for making quick and easy slaw.

How to Make Different Types of Slaw

Slaw is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your personal tastes and dietary needs. Here are five different types of slaw and how to make them.

1. Classic Coleslaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 small head cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 2 large carrots, grated
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Add cabbage and carrots to the bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

2. Asian Slaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 small head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together vinegar, vegetable oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Add cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, and green onions to the bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

3. Mexican Slaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 small head red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 poblano pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Add cabbage, poblano pepper, and cilantro to the bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

4. Fruit Slaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium pear, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Add cabbage, apple, pear, and mint to the bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Vegan Slaw

Ingredients:

  • 1 small head red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium carrot, grated
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup water (or more as needed)

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together tahini, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Gradually whisk in enough water until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
  3. Add cabbage, carrot, and parsley to the bowl and toss to combine.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Slaw Type Main Ingredients Dressing
Classic Coleslaw Cabbage, Carrots Mayonnaise, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Black Pepper
Asian Slaw Napa Cabbage, Carrot, Bell Pepper, Green Onion Rice Vinegar, Vegetable Oil, Soy Sauce, Honey, Garlic, Sesame Oil, Salt, Black Pepper
Mexican Slaw Red Cabbage, Poblano Pepper, Cilantro Lime Juice, Olive Oil, Honey, Garlic, Cumin, Salt, Black Pepper
Fruit Slaw Green Cabbage, Apple, Pear, Mint Lemon Juice, Honey, Salt, Black Pepper
Vegan Slaw Red Cabbage, Carrot, Parsley Tahini, Apple Cider Vinegar, Maple Syrup, Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper, Water

Try making one (or all!) of these delicious slaw options to add some variety to your meals. Slaw can be served as a side dish or used as a topping on sandwiches, tacos, and more. The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy Your Homemade Slaw!

Now that you know how to make your own delicious and refreshing slaw, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Whether you’re creating a side dish for a summer barbecue or incorporating slaw into your weekday lunch routine, there’s no end to the culinary possibilities. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you back here soon for more vibrant and straightforward recipes. Happy cooking!