WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS Cabbage has a high water content, and this water leaching out of the vegetable is typically the culprit when you end up with a watery coleslaw. The simple step of salting and then draining the cabbage first draws out this excess moisture. That technique allowed our creamy coleslaw recipe to produce crisp, evenly cut pieces of cabbage lightly coated with a flavorful buttermilk dressing that clung to the cabbage instead of collecting in the bottom of the bowl. The combination of buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream was ideal for the creamy, hefty dressing. This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a crowd or bring to a potluck.
Serves 4
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- ½ head red or green cabbage, cored and shredded (6 cups)
- 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1 small shallot, minced
- ½ teaspoon cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
PREPARATION
- Toss shredded cabbage with 1 teaspoon salt in colander set over large bowl and let sit until wilted, at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Rinse cabbage under cold running water. Press, but do not squeeze, to drain, and blot dry with paper towels.
- Discard liquid and wipe bowl clean with paper towels.
- Combine cabbage and carrot in now-empty bowl.
- In separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, shallot, vinegar, sugar, mustard, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
- Pour dressing over cabbage and toss to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss to recombine before serving.
VARIATIONS
- CREAMY BUTTERMILK COLESLAW WITH SCALLIONS AND CILANTRO:
Omit Dijon mustard. Substitute 2 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro for parsley and 1 teaspoon lime juice for cider vinegar.
- LEMONY BUTTERMILK COLESLAW:
Substitute 1 teaspoon lemon juice for cider vinegar. Add 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme and 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives to dressing.
