Vinegar Slaw

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A little bit sweet and a little bit tangy, my 3-ingredient quick and easy vinegar slaw recipe is a great alternative for those wanting coleslaw with no mayonnaise.

A bowl of vinegar slaw.

There is no telling how many different kinds of slaw there are in the world but I have posted a few on Southern Plate over the years: coleslaw, my burger slaw recipe, Asian slaw, and mustard slaw. But today, in order for you to be able to make the pulled BBQ chicken burgers I posted yesterday, I’m bringing you the recipe for vinegar-based coleslaw. It’s commonly served on top of a pulled pork sandwich in my neck of the woods. It’s cabbage slaw with a twist, as it doesn’t use mayonnaise like creamy coleslaw.

This recipe is easy as pie but I’m gonna make it a little bit easier for ya. The original recipe is done in proportions but I’m giving you exact measurements in case you’ve never made it before, then you can work with proportions later once you get more comfortable with it.

So, all you need is a head of cabbage, granulated sugar, and white vinegar. You can also substitute the cabbage for a store-bought coleslaw mix instead or use a combination of both. Whatever cranks your tractor! The instructions are as easy as… combining the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Yep, your easy vinegar slaw is done in 5 minutes flat. I recommend refrigerating it for a few hours up to overnight to let the vinegar and sugar soak into the cabbage for the most flavorful vinegar slaw. But if you don’t wait, I’ll never know!

This vinegar coleslaw recipe has equal parts sweet and tangy flavor and tastes so delicious with Pulled Pork Sliders Meatloaf Burgers North Alabama Style Pulled Chicken BBQ Slow-Roasted Beef Brisket in the Oven Easy Baby Back Ribs in Oven or Simple Southern Fried Catfish. Move aside coleslaw, no-mayonnaise vinegar slaw is in the house! 

Labeled ingredients for vinegar slaw.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Green cabbage/coleslaw mix
  • White vinegar
  • Sugar

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How to Make Vinegar Slaw

Chop up your cabbage.

Green cabbage version

Chop up your cabbage.

Note: I’m only using half of my head of cabbage. That yields about four to five cups and that is plenty for me.

You can use a sharp knife and chop it or shred it using a food processor, whatever cranks your tractor. Remember, no rules.

Add chopped cabbage to mixing bowl.

Now add your chopped/shredded cabbage to a large bowl.

Add sugar to mixing bowl.

Then add your sugar…

Add vinegar to mixing bowl.

And your vinegar.

The ratio here is equal parts vinegar and sugar.

Stir ingredients together.

Give it a stir.

If you like, season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Bowl of vinegar slaw.

Cover and refrigerate the cabbage mixture until ready to serve.

This will make more liquid after a while and it is better if you let it refrigerate for a few hours before serving it.

But if you need to eat it now go ahead. I’m not big on waiting myself. ~grins~

Add coleslaw mix to mixing bowl.

Coleslaw mix version

Add coleslaw mix to mixing bowl.

Add sugar to mixing bowl.

Then add sugar…

Add vinegar to mixing bowl.

And your vinegar.

Mix ingredients together.

Mix ingredients together.

Bowl of vinegar slaw.

As before, cover and refrigerate the coleslaw mix until ready to serve.

Vinegar slaw on plate with chicken and baked beans.

Serve on top of a pulled pork sandwich or as a side dish with grilled chicken and baked beans.

No rules!

Storage

Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes

  • You can use all types of cabbage in vinegar coleslaw, including green cabbage or red cabbage. Feel free to use a combination of both too.
  • If you want to add more veggies, opt for a large shredded carrot or two, a cup of sliced red or green bell pepper, and 1/2 a yellow or red onion, sliced. Another option is thinly sliced green onion (1 or 2).
  • If you make it ahead of time, don’t add salt until just before serving as it will wilt the cabbage.
  • For added flavor, you might like to add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or wholegrain mustard, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and/or 1 teaspoon of celery seed.
  • Yes, you can use apple cider vinegar instead to make an apple cider vinegar coleslaw recipe.
  • For extra crunch, add sliced almonds or toasted sunflower seeds on top before serving.

Recipe FAQs

How do you serve vinegar slaw?

In case you missed them, here are my other slaw recipes:

The Best Coleslaw

Burger Slaw

Asian Slaw

Mustard Slaw

Vinegar slaw on plate with chicken and baked beans.

Vinegar Slaw

Equal parts sweet and tangy, my 3-ingredient quick and easy vinegar slaw is a great alternative for those wanting coleslaw with no mayonnaise.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coleslaw, slaw, vinegar
Servings: 4
Calories: 62kcal

Ingredients

  • 4.5-5 cups finely chopped or shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Place chopped or shredded cabbage in a large bowl.
    4.5-5 cups finely chopped or shredded cabbage
  • Add vinegar and sugar, and stir.
    1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Cover the cabbage mixture and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before serving. Will make more juice over time.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.”

~ Sam Keen

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108 Comments

  1. Well, the verdict is in at our house –2 thumbs up! We loved it! Thanks for sharing the recipes! 😀

  2. Wow!! A vinegar slaw recipe and I have half a head of cabbage in my fridge. 😀 You read my mind! Thank you, Christy! I love the tanginess of vinegar slaw. I make the slaw and pick up a butt roast for pulled pork on Friday. I will be in nirvana (or hog heaven) on Saturday. Just might make your congealed salad for dessert. I’m on a roll.

  3. Christy, Vinegar slaw is my favorite. I have even eaten slaw sandwiches. But I have to share my hint. If you bruise or squeeze the cabbage with the sugar before you add the vinegar, it will help give it more juice and a better taste. My sister’s manfriend couldn’t get over how much better my slaw was than hers. She was following my ingredients. I finally asked if she was bruising her cabbage. Now her slaw is like mine. I also put a little salt/pepper in it. I’m even going to let her make it for the 4th.

  4. Just don’t get the notion I was knocking Christy’s recipe. I wasn’t. Just expressing how good the cole slaw is that my wife makes. I don’t remember seeing bagged shredded cabbage but have used the bagged shredded broccoli in stir-fry.

      1. I agree with Christy. Husbands SHOULD brag on their wives more… and Visa Versa. The world would be a much better place if that happened more often.

  5. Yum…add a couple pickles and it looks just like Whitt’s (which I love)! I’m gonna try this one. Thanks 🙂

  6. This is a great thing to take to a Cook-Out in this stifling NC weather! No worries about mayo spoiling and poisoning the whole neighborhood! Oh my gosh, could you imagine being the person responsible for sending folks to the emergency room to get their Independance Day stomach pumping! I think I’ll try this to go with the pig that we’ll be pickin’!

  7. How easy can you get? I have got to try this…I nominate Christy for “Kitchen Queen” of the year..Love your site girl!

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