Is There A Difference Between Cabbage Salad And Coleslaw? (2024)

Deverone Gillespie

·3-min read

When you're shredding a head of cabbage for a side dish, there are a few ways you can dress it up. Cabbage salad and coleslaw may look similar at first glance since the main component of both dishes is the same. While both can be used in much the same way (either as a condiment or a standalone salad),there are a few important distinctions between them.

The biggest difference between coleslaw and cabbage salad is the dressing. While a cabbage salad typically features a lighter vinaigrette made with an oil base, coleslaw is typically coated in a heavier, creamy dressing.

While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredientslike 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.

Read more: 12 Vegetables And Fruits That Used To Look Very Different

The Dressing Makes All The Difference

Is There A Difference Between Cabbage Salad And Coleslaw? (2)

The dressing for a cabbage salad is fairly light, starting with your choice of oil. It can then be seasoned and flavored with additions like lemon juice, salt, or honey. The cabbage is then tossed in the dressing and served either on its own or as a condiment to other dishes.

However, coleslaw requires a creamy base. While mayonnaise is the standard ingredient used for this, plain Greek yogurtor sour cream can provide a similar consistency. This base is thinned out a little with some vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or white vinegar can all add a little bit of acidity while remaining neutrally flavored. Then, other seasonings can be mixed in, and the dressing can coat the shredded vegetables to make coleslaw.

The creaminess of the mayonnaise-based coleslaw makes it the perfect companion to contrast the saltiness of savory dishes like pulled pork sandwiches or hamburgers. Cabbage salad, on the other hand, makes for a little bit of a lighter bite.

You Can Add Additional Ingredients To Both Dishes

Is There A Difference Between Cabbage Salad And Coleslaw? (3)

The ingredients that go into each dish can differ, as well. Cabbage salad needs only its namesake, although added ingredients can make the dish much more versatile.Coleslaw, however, often incorporates carrots, fruits, nuts, and onions alongside the cabbage.You can even mix some dried, crushed-up ramen noodles into the mix to make a ramen noodle salad.

Although the type of dressing used is an important distinction between the two dishes, the dressings can also be altered to fit particular tastes. While both have a specified base component (oil for cabbage salad and mayonnaise for coleslaw), various seasonings and flavors can be added to enhance the taste of the dressing. If you like a sweet and salty flavor, try adding honey, salt, and pepper, but if you want it to be a little more acidic, you could squeeze in a little fresh lemon juice.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

Is There A Difference Between Cabbage Salad And Coleslaw? (2024)

FAQs

Is There A Difference Between Cabbage Salad And Coleslaw? ›

Cabbage salad needs only its namesake, although added ingredients can make the dish much more versatile. Coleslaw, however, often incorporates carrots, fruits, nuts, and onions alongside the cabbage. You can even mix some dried, crushed-up ramen noodles into the mix to make a ramen noodle salad.

Are cabbage and coleslaw the same thing? ›

Most people refer to sliced or shredded raw cabbage coated with mayo- or vinegar-based dressing as coleslaw (or just slaw). It may also contain lemon juice, onions, shredded carrots, slivered almonds, and even fruit.

What is the difference between coleslaw and salad? ›

A salad can contain various things. You know things like lettuce, carrots, celery, cucumbers and usually a dressing such as thousand island or ranch. Coleslaw can actually contain the carrots, celery, and even cucumbers but instead of lettuce it contains cabbage, and no lettuce.

Why is coleslaw now called slaw? ›

Coleslaw Name Evolution

Whatever the reason for the formation, people familiar with the food item began tinkering with its name. For instance, the Latin-based cole was substituted for cold and the spelling variant slaugh was used with cold or cole. The name was also chopped to slaw or slaugh.

Does coleslaw count as salad? ›

Coleslaw is a salad made with raw sliced or shredded cabbage and a dressing such as a vinaigrette or mayonnaise. The term 'coleslaw' actually comes from the Dutch phrase 'koolsla', meaning 'cabbage salad'.

What shreds cabbage to make coleslaw? ›

Shred cabbage with a box grater

(We like these flexible chopping mats that make pouring cabbage into a pot or bowl easy.) Then, hold the flat side of the cabbage head against the largest holes on the box grater and slide the cabbage down over the holes. Repeat until the cabbage is shredded.

Which is healthier sauerkraut or coleslaw? ›

Sauerkraut is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Its probiotics also help your body absorb these nutrients more easily, which is what makes sauerkraut more nutritious than raw cabbage or coleslaw.

Why does Chick Fil A not have coleslaw? ›

Farmer said the decision to axe slaw was a difficult one, but something had to be cut to make way for the new side. And it turns out the kale salad is even more popular than the slaw, according to Farmer. "It's a vote," Farmer said. "People vote with their dollars when they come in and buy the superfood side."

What qualifies as a slaw? ›

Slaw is a cold salad commonly made from sliced or chopped raw vegetables, especially cabbage or carrots, mixed with a dressing made with mayonnaise or vinegar.

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.

Which is healthier potato salad or coleslaw? ›

Both typically harbor a ton of mayo, but coleslaw is nearly always the smarter choice, thanks mainly to its primary ingredient. “Cabbage is going to be a lot lower in calories than potatoes are,” says Amy Goodson, R.D., a Dallas-based sports dietitian.

Is coleslaw good for your gut? ›

Slaw – what are the benefits number 1

The fibre passes through the stomach undigested giving friendly bacteria species like bifidobacterial and lactobacilli food to digest in your gut (meaning that cabbage is a natural “prebiotic”).

Why is coleslaw so high in calories? ›

It's a salad, right, so it must be healthy? But even though it's based on carrot and cabbage, coleslaw is dressed in a mayonnaise based dressing which is high in fat. Check the nutrition information on pack and look out for reduced fat and yogurt dressed versions instead.

Is cabbage basically lettuce? ›

Cabbage and certain types of lettuce may look alike, but these vegetables have major differences. To start, cabbage and lettuce are entirely different vegetables. They also have distinct nutritional profiles, flavors, textures, and culinary uses.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

Those wanting to tuck into a side of coleslaw with their KFC chicken are out of luck at the moment. 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.

Is raw cabbage filling? ›

Cabbage has 1 gram of fiber for every 10 calories. That helps fill you up, so you eat less. It also keeps you regular, and it could help lower your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and control your blood sugar. Cabbage also has nutrients that keep the lining of your stomach and intestines strong.

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