Forget everything you thought you knew about coleslaw. This isn’t your average, heavy, mayonnaise-laden side dish. Get ready to experience the vibrant, unforgettable taste of Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw. This unique recipe stands out with its complex symphony of flavors – a delightful balance of tangy, subtly sweet, a hint of creamy richness, and just the right amount of spicy kick. It’s a true southern staple, perfect for cutting through the richness of smoky BBQ. Whether you’re piling it high on a juicy pulled pork sandwich or transforming a humble hot dog into an epic “slaw dog,” this mustard coleslaw is guaranteed to become your new favorite.
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Why You’ll Love This Tangy Mustard Coleslaw Recipe
This remarkable coleslaw is our cherished rendition of the legendary Big Bob Gibson’s coleslaw, a recipe that has captivated taste buds for generations. What makes this tangy mustard coleslaw truly special and why will you absolutely fall in love with it? It’s more than just a side; it’s an experience.
- A Burst of Unique Flavor: Unlike traditional creamy coleslaws that can sometimes feel heavy, this mustard-based dressing delivers a bright, zesty, and refreshing tang that invigorates your palate. The subtle sweetness perfectly complements the savory notes, while a hint of cayenne pepper provides a gentle warmth, making every bite an exciting flavor adventure. It’s a delightful departure from the norm, offering a complex yet incredibly harmonious taste profile.
- Effortlessly Quick & Easy: Life is busy, and sometimes you need a delicious dish that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. This recipe is designed for simplicity. With minimal chopping and straightforward mixing, you can have this incredible side ready to chill in under 15 minutes. It’s the ideal choice for last-minute gatherings, weeknight dinners, or when you just crave something fresh and flavorful without the fuss.
- Unmatched Versatility: This isn’t just a single-purpose side dish; it’s a culinary chameleon! Its vibrant flavors and crisp texture make it an outstanding companion to a wide array of main courses. Imagine it alongside perfectly grilled pork tenderloin, succulent grilled chicken, classic barbecue ribs, or as a refreshing addition to your favorite sandwiches. But its true calling shines when it’s used as a topping. Piled high on tender pulled pork sandwiches, adding a vibrant crunch to flaky fish tacos, or creating the ultimate slaw dog – this coleslaw elevates every dish it touches. It provides a much-needed bright and zesty counterpoint to rich, savory meats, making every meal more balanced and enjoyable. It’s also always a crowd-pleaser at potlucks and summer picnics!
- Fresh, Wholesome Ingredients: Packed with fresh vegetables, this coleslaw offers a healthy and colorful addition to your meal. The crispness of the cabbage and the vibrancy of the bell peppers and carrots not only add texture but also provide essential nutrients.
Whether you’re a long-time coleslaw connoisseur or looking to try something new, this tangy southern mustard coleslaw recipe promises to deliver on flavor, ease, and versatility, making it a staple in your recipe collection.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Southern Slaw
Crafting the perfect Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw starts with selecting the freshest, most vibrant ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that signature balance of flavor and texture that sets this recipe apart.
For the Slaw Base:
- Green Cabbage: The backbone of any good coleslaw, green cabbage provides the essential crispness and a mild, slightly peppery flavor. When shredded finely, it creates the perfect textual foundation for the dressing to cling to.
- Purple Cabbage (Red Cabbage): Adding purple cabbage isn’t just for its stunning color, though it certainly makes the slaw visually appealing! It offers a slightly bolder flavor and an extra layer of crunch, contributing to a more dynamic texture.
- Sweet Onion: A touch of finely shredded sweet onion introduces a delicate allium flavor without the overpowering bite of a raw yellow onion. It mellows beautifully with the dressing, adding depth and a subtle aromatic quality.
- Red Bell Pepper: Diced small, red bell pepper brings a vibrant pop of color, a refreshing sweetness, and a delightful crisp-tender texture that contrasts wonderfully with the cabbage. You can use any color bell pepper you prefer, but red offers the most sweetness.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots contribute natural sweetness, a lovely orange hue, and a tender-crisp element. They are a classic coleslaw ingredient for a reason!
- Celery: Finely shredded celery is often an overlooked ingredient but is key for adding a distinctive, earthy freshness and another layer of satisfying crunch to the mix.
For the Tangy Mustard Dressing:
- Prepared Yellow Mustard: The star of the show! This is where the signature tangy and slightly sharp mustard flavor comes from, differentiating it from traditional creamy coleslaws. Choose a good quality prepared yellow mustard for the best results.
- Mayonnaise: While not the dominant flavor, mayonnaise provides the essential creaminess and binds all the dressing ingredients together, ensuring a smooth and rich texture without being overly heavy.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the primary source of the “tang” in our Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw. Apple cider vinegar offers a fruity, bright acidity that cuts through the richness and adds a fresh zing.
- Ketchup: A small amount of ketchup adds a touch of sweetness, a hint of tomato depth, and contributes to the dressing’s vibrant color. It helps to balance the acidity of the vinegar and the sharpness of the mustard.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream lends extra richness and a pleasant, mild tang to the dressing. It enhances the creamy texture while keeping it lighter than an all-mayonnaise dressing.
- Cayenne Pepper: For that characteristic southern “kick,” cayenne pepper is essential. You can adjust the amount to your personal spice preference, adding a subtle warmth or a fiery punch.
- Kosher Salt: Crucial for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors, kosher salt ensures the dressing is perfectly balanced.
Together, these ingredients create a harmonious blend that is both refreshing and deeply satisfying, embodying the spirit of classic southern cuisine.
How to Make Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delicious Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps to bring this vibrant dish to life in your kitchen.
Step 1: Prepare Your Vegetables
The first step to a great coleslaw is properly preparing your vegetables. You want a consistent, fine shred or dice for the best texture and to ensure the dressing coats everything evenly. You have a few options for achieving this:
- Food Processor: For speed and efficiency, a food processor fitted with a shredding disc is your best friend. It can quickly handle large quantities of cabbage, carrots, and even onions.
- Mandoline Slicer: If you prefer more control over the thickness of your shreds, a mandoline slicer works wonderfully, especially for cabbage and carrots. Always use a guard for safety!
- Handheld Grater: A box grater or handheld grater is perfect for carrots, onions, and even smaller amounts of cabbage if you don’t have a food processor.
- Knife Skills: For a more rustic chop, or if you prefer a slightly larger bite, you can finely shred the cabbage and dice the other vegetables with a sharp knife.
Once your vegetables are prepped, combine the shredded green cabbage, purple cabbage, sweet onion, diced red bell pepper, shredded carrot, and shredded celery in a large mixing bowl. Toss them gently to ensure they are well distributed. This colorful medley forms the delicious base of our southern coleslaw.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Flavorful Dressing
The heart of this Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw is its unique dressing. In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Yellow prepared mustard
- Ketchup
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Kosher salt
- Cayenne pepper
Using a whisk, vigorously blend these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. You want to ensure there are no lumps and that all the flavors are fully incorporated. This creates a creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy concoction that will transform your vegetables.
Pro Tip for Spice Lovers: This is your moment to shine! If you crave an extra kick, feel free to add a bit more cayenne pepper to the dressing at this stage. Taste and adjust until it’s just right for your palate.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Now for the magical union! Pour the freshly whisked mustard coleslaw dressing evenly over the prepared vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Using tongs or a large spoon, gently toss the vegetables until every shred and dice is thoroughly coated in the delicious dressing.
Once everything is well combined, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Transfer the coleslaw to the refrigerator and chill for at least 20 minutes. Ideally, let it chill for at least 1 hour, or even longer (up to a few hours) if time allows. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld together and intensify, and it also helps the vegetables absorb the dressing while maintaining their crispness.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Once thoroughly chilled, give the coleslaw a final gentle stir and it’s ready to be devoured! Serve this incredible Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw recipe as a refreshing side dish alongside your favorite barbecue, grilled meats, or any summer spread. It’s also the perfect topping for pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken sliders, or to make those unforgettable slaw dogs. Its vibrant colors and even more vibrant flavors make it an instant hit at any potluck or gathering.
Tips for the Perfect Mustard Coleslaw
Achieving coleslaw perfection is easy with a few key tips and tricks. These suggestions will help you elevate your Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw from great to absolutely extraordinary, ensuring it’s a hit every time.
- Opt for Pre-Shredded Convenience: If you’re short on time or prefer to skip the chopping, using two packages of good quality prepared coleslaw mix is a fantastic shortcut. Most mixes contain green cabbage and carrots, and you can easily add the purple cabbage, onion, red bell pepper, and celery separately to match this recipe’s flavor profile. Look for mixes that are fresh and not too finely shredded for the best texture.
- The Importance of Chilling: Don’t underestimate the power of chilling! While 20 minutes is the minimum, allowing your mustard coleslaw to chill for at least an hour (or even several hours) before serving makes a huge difference. This time in the refrigerator allows the flavors of the dressing to fully meld with the vegetables, enhancing the overall taste. More importantly, it helps the cabbage and other ingredients crisp up, preventing a soggy slaw.
- Customize with Your Favorite Add-Ins: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for customization. Feel free to incorporate your favorite slaw ingredients to make it uniquely yours:
- Extra Vegetables: Consider adding finely sliced radishes for an extra peppery bite, thinly sliced cucumber for freshness, or even finely chopped jicama for a sweet and crisp crunch.
- Nuts and Seeds: Toasted pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds can add a delightful nutty flavor and textural contrast. Add these right before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Fruity Sweetness: For a touch of natural sweetness and chewiness, mix in a handful of golden raisins, dried cranberries (craisins), or even finely diced apple.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley, cilantro, or chives, finely chopped, can brighten up the flavors and add an aromatic touch.
- Dairy-Free Alternatives: If you need to make this coleslaw dairy-free, you can easily substitute plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for the sour cream. For a completely dairy-free option, use your favorite vegan mayonnaise and a plant-based sour cream alternative. The tangy dressing will still be incredibly flavorful.
- Vinegar Variations: While apple cider vinegar provides a distinct fruity tang that we adore, don’t hesitate to experiment with other vinegars. White vinegar will offer a sharper, cleaner acidity, while white wine vinegar can provide a slightly milder, more aromatic tang. Choose what best suits your preference.
- Adjusting the Heat: The cayenne pepper adds a lovely warmth, but if you’re looking for a different kind of heat, substitute it with a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Sriracha, Tabasco, or a smoky chipotle hot sauce can introduce varying levels of spice and additional flavor complexities. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
- Ensure Dry Vegetables: After washing your vegetables, especially the cabbage, make sure they are thoroughly dry before mixing them with the dressing. Excess water can dilute the dressing and lead to a watery, less flavorful coleslaw. A salad spinner works wonders for this!
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your coleslaw before serving. You might find it needs a tiny bit more salt, a splash more vinegar for tang, or another pinch of cayenne for heat. Adjusting the seasoning to your liking is key to a truly perfect coleslaw.
With these tips, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw, a dish that will impress everyone who tries it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Due to the presence of mayonnaise and sour cream in the dressing, it is generally recommended not to leave this coleslaw out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. This is especially important in warmer climates or during summer barbecues, as perishable ingredients can quickly spoil. To extend its safe serving time at outdoor events, you can place the coleslaw bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice, ensuring it stays properly chilled and safe for consumption for a bit longer.
Any leftover Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated promptly. When stored correctly, it will maintain its freshness and flavor for up to 3 to 4 days. While the cabbage may soften slightly over time, the flavors will continue to meld beautifully. We do not recommend freezing coleslaw, as the vegetables will become watery and lose their crisp texture upon thawing.
Absolutely! This coleslaw is an excellent make-ahead dish. Preparing it a few hours before serving (or even the night before) allows the flavors to deepen and harmonize beautifully. Just be sure to keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator. If you prefer a crunchier slaw, you can prepare the vegetables and the dressing separately, then combine them about an hour before serving.
For this Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw, classic yellow prepared mustard (like French’s or a similar brand) is ideal. Its distinct flavor provides the authentic southern tang we’re looking for. While other mustards like Dijon or whole grain could be interesting, they would significantly alter the traditional flavor profile of this particular recipe.
Yes, this Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw recipe is naturally vegetarian. It is also generally gluten-free, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the labels of your prepared yellow mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise to ensure they are certified gluten-free, as ingredients can vary by brand.
More Delicious Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw, you’re sure to find more favorites among our collection of delicious side dishes. Perfect for any meal or gathering, these recipes complement a wide range of main courses and are designed to impress.
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Tangy Southern Mustard Coleslaw Recipe
A complex flavor that’s tangy, creamy, slightly sweet and spicy. Perfect for pulled pork or amazing slaw dogs!
Pin
Rate
Side Dish
American, BBQ
15 minutes
59 minutes
1 hour 14 minutes
8
88 kcal
Leigh Harris
Ingredients
Slaw Ingredients
- 6 cups green cabbage shredded
- 2 cups purple cabbage shredded
- 1/2 cup sweet onion shredded
- 1 cup red bell pepper diced small (or bell pepper of your choice)
- 1/3 cup carrot shredded
- 1/4 cup celery shredded
Dressing
- 6 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 6 tablespoons yellow prepared mustard
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more if desired)
Instructions
- Combine the green cabbage, purple cabbage, onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery in a large bowl and mix well.
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, yellow prepared mustard, ketchup, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, and cayenne pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over cabbage mixture and stir to coat evenly.
- Chill at least 1 hour and serve.
Notes
Substitute two packages of prepared slaw mix if desired for convenience.
Storing: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 8g | Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 683mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1905IU | Vitamin C: 57.2mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 0.7mg
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