Vinegar Slaw
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
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 with a twist, as it doesn’t use like .
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!
Recipe Ingredients
- Green cabbage/coleslaw mix
- White vinegar
- Sugar
Helpful Kitchen Tools
How to Make Vinegar Slaw
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.
Now add your chopped/shredded cabbage to a large bowl.
Then add your sugar…
And your vinegar.
The ratio here is equal parts vinegar and sugar.
Give it a stir.
If you like, season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Cover and refrigerate the cabbage mixtureuntil 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~
Coleslaw mix version
Add coleslaw mix to mixing bowl.
Then add sugar…
And your vinegar.
Mix ingredients together.
As before, cover and refrigerate the until ready to serve.
Serve on top of a pulled 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?
- Serve it on a sandwich with pulled pork, pulled chicken, or meatloaf burgers.
- Serve it as a side dish with beef brisket, baby back ribs, pork roast, Southern , lamb chops, Southern fried chicken, or grilled chicken. It’s sure to be a hit at your next picnic, , or cookout!
In case you missed them, here are my other slaw recipes:
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
“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.”
~ Sam Keen
Yes you can use Bag Cabbage. I always soak it in Ice Water then drain before making the slaw. I put in carrots, onions and green peppers along with herbs from my garden. Vinegar, sugar, salt and Olive Oil. I mix my dressing in the blender. I am going to try just vinegar and sugar next time. Somedays I only eat left over slaw for lunch – add an apple or nuts-something crunchy
Just want to add that we often have newcomers who’ve never had vinegar slaw before and, sadly, don’t like it. They’ve never heard of slaw without mayonnaise. Well…too bad. More for us!
Bagged slaw mix is always better if you rinse it first, it gets rid of the acidic acid or whatever it is they use as a preservative.
Just wanted to say “thanks” for this recipe as well as the BBQ pork recipe. Made both for family that is visiting this week and even my two young nieces loved it! My family has requested the recipe and even ate it two days in a row. Delicious!
Is this the recipe for Whitt’s BBQ slaw? Whitts is my fav BBQ. I love when our family visits Decatur.
Shannon in Florida
I love vinegar slaw! At our house, we add a handful of chopped cilantro and chop up some canned jalapenos. Goes really well with fish tacos, too!
Perfect! I always add oil or mayo but am going with this next time. thanks! (daughter bringing bbq pork butt this weekend…………..)