Cole slaw is a popular side dish in the South and comes in many varieties. There are spicier red slaws served at barbecue joints and some fish camps, but the most common type of slaw in the south is white slaw.
Many of the white cole slaws are made with mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, but many of the older cooks in the South (and relatives now in the new generation) love the flavor of the old fashioned scratch dressing cole slaw. Such slaws are wonderful served as side dishes or as toppings on hot dogs and hamburgers.
Before there were convenience products, many food products today bought off the shelf were made with common kitchen ingredients. Southern women made things like pudding from scratch and their own cole slaw dressing recipes.
This Southern Cole Slaw Dressing recipe is an old one made on top of the stove and poured over one large head of chopped cabbage.
Southern Cole Slaw Dressing Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 egg (slightly beaten)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in a stock pot on the stove burner and heat on medium until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn up heat and bring to a boil.
- Once the cole slaw dressing reaches a boil, remove the pan from the heat.
- Pour boiling mixture over one large head of chopped cabbage in a bowl.
- Do not stir.
- Let mixture cool.
- Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
- When ready to serve, stir up slaw mixture.
*Note – This cole slaw keeps well for several days in the refrigerator, so it can be made ahead.
More Old Fashioned Southern Recipes:
Black Eyed Peas - Hearty peas and beans are often served as a dinner meal along with cornbread. Some Southerners pour the beans over the cornbread while others eat the bread on the side lathered in butter.
Southern Cornbread - Cornbread is traditional with beans but is also a favorite bread with most any Southern meal.
Cheese Grits - Grits are often boiled and served with butter or red eyed gravy in the South, but a fancier version is cheese grits.
Homemade Banana Pudding - A favorite in the South, many versions are made with instant pudding. This recipe features homemade pudding, and it is much tastier than the boxed versions.
Southern Strawberry Shortcake - There are many versions of strawberry shortcake. This is the old style Southern strawberry shortcake with a biscuit style cake base.
Cyndi Allison - Southern born and fed, Cyndi Allison is a college lecturer and newspaper advisor as well as being a freelance writer. She writes on ...
Join the Conversation