Juneteenth Red Foods: Southern Red Cabbage Slaw

Southern red cabbage slaw is a delicious blend of red cabbage with shredded carrots, diced celery, onion, seasonings, and herbs tossed in a homemade mayo-based creamy dressing. 

It’s a tangy dressing that features an incredible homemade apple cider vinaigrette. This zesty slaw is light, crunchy, and refreshing, perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and backyard barbecues. 

 

 

And since this coleslaw is red – it’s ideal for serving as a holiday specialty dish on Juneteenth!

 

 

Southern red cabbage slaw is gluten-free, low in calories, and offers a healthy dose of vitamin C, fiber, and protein. 

 

 

How do you cook red cabbage for coleslaw?

No cooking is required. Thankfully this coleslaw can be made in less than 15 minutes, making it easy to prepare as a side dish for a busy weeknight dinner or BBQ party. Or to add to your Juneteenth traditions menu.

 

An easy and quick side dish, it goes well with grilled foods or seafood, and Southern red slaw cabbage tastes great on sandwiches and wraps.

 

Why is cabbage salad called coleslaw?

The word coleslaw is from the Dutch term ‘koolsla’ meaning ‘cabbage salad.’ Also known as coleslaw, or simply as slaw.

 

What is red cabbage slaw?

Red cabbage slaw is a famous coleslaw salad from the Southern United States. It’s called a slaw because it incorporates finely shredded or chopped red cabbage.

 

Is purple cabbage the same as red cabbage?

Southern red cabbage slaw is usually made from red cabbage (also known as purple cabbage). Still, other types of cabbage can also be used in it.

 

 

What’s the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw?

 The difference is that coleslaw’s raw, chopped vegetables are primarily cabbage. 

 

Technically, “slaw” without the “cole” can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage (i.e., chopped broccoli or shredded carrots). Hence, other healthy foods like broccoli slaw or carrot slaw like Chik-Fil-A makes with pineapple and raisins!

 

In addition to cabbage, coleslaw may include other vegetables like onion and celery for an additional crunch and richness. 

 

Because the vegetables are shredded, the dressing can be poured over them, mixed, and allowed to sit for a short time. This will soften the vegetables, which will enable them to soak up the dressing.

 

 

What do you put in red cabbage salad?

Cider vinegar is a common ingredient in red cabbage slaw. Rather than using white vinegar, many Southern soul food cooks like to use apple cider vinegar due to its delicious tangy flavor.

 

It is common to use mayonnaise in place of the vinegar, or you can use both for an ultra-rich texture and flavor, as I have in this salad recipe. 

 

Caraway seeds and sunflower seeds are also a common addition to red cabbage slaw. However, black folks prefer to use celery seed or simply use Soul food Southern coleslaw seasoning.

 

 

How do you make creamy red cabbage?

Traditional Southern coleslaw recipes call for shredded raw cabbage and carrots mixed with mayonnaise to make a sweet, creamy Southern coleslaw.

 

It is the same with this Southern red cabbage slaw recipe. The mayonnaise or Miracle Whip salad dressing is incorporated into the slaw to create a quick, easy, and delicious side dish for any meal. 

 

 

Why is Juneteenth food red?

People often ask, why do we eat red food on Juneteenth?

The color red is extra special for the Juneteenth holiday. Red is the primary color of Juneteenth, symbolic of our ancestors’ bloodshed before freedom. So we honor them with a celebratory spread of African-American soul food classic dishes.

 

Juneteenth red foods ideas & what you can bring to a Juneteenth party

So what do you serve at a Juneteenth party?

Here’s a list of what red food and drinks you might see at a Juneteenth celebration.

• Red cabbage slaw
• Red velvet cake
• Pork jowl bacon
• Tomato watermelon salad
• Tomato Southern pasta salad
• Watermelon red soda
• Watermelon Dole Whip
• Cranberry sauce
• Cranberry sauce cornbread
• Hibiscus sweet tea
• Red beans and rice
• Pickled beets salad
• Juneteenth BBQ foods: chicken, ribs, sausage, beef brisket

 

 

How do you make red cabbage slaw?

Southern red cabbage slaw is a salad made with shredded raw cabbage, carrots, diced onion, and celery. Then soul food-seasoned and dressed with a mayonnaise-based vinegar dressing. 

 

To make this recipe, simply shred the cabbage and carrots. Next, dice the onion and celery, then stir to combine.

 

Can you think of any other recipe that’s this easy to prepare! 

 

Just follow these 3 simple steps, and you’ll have a flavorful bowl of slaw in your hands:

1. Prepare the veggies
2. Prepare the dressing
3. Mix!

 

 

Kitchen equipment for Juneteenth Southern red cabbage slaw

• Chef’s knife

or…

• Food processor
• Cutting board

 

 

Shop my kitchenware!

Diamond Sharp Knife  |  KitchenAid food processor   | The Pioneer Woman measuring bowls  |  Amazon stainless steel mixing bowl  |  Anthropologie cloth napkin  | Anthropologie similar salad bowl  |

 

Ingredients for Juneteenth Southern red cabbage slaw

• 8 cups of red cabbage, shredded (same as purple cabbage)
• ½ a cup of carrots, shredded
• ½ a cup of celery, diced
• ½ a cup of onion, diced
• 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• ½ a teaspoon of dill weed
• ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional for you – but we always include it!)
• 1 ¼ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme to garnish (optional)

 

 

Instructions for Juneteenth Southern red cabbage slaw

1. Use a chef’s knife or food processor to shred the cabbage and carrots. 
2. Use the knife or food processor to dice the celery and onion.
3. Add the shredded cabbage to a large bowl, and then add the carrots, celery, and onion.
4. Next, sprinkle in the sugar, dill, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
5. Then add the mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar to the cabbage mixture.
6. Stir and fold the ingredients into each other until thoroughly combined.
7. Serve Juneteenth red coleslaw right away, or for cold coleslaw, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
8. Garnish with fresh sprigs of thyme, serve, and enjoy!

 

🎙Check out The Soul Food Pod conversation about Juneteenth red foods!

 

 

 

Can you make this recipe with white or green cabbage?

Yes, and you can use this Southern soul food coleslaw recipe.

 

 

What can you serve with Southern red cabbage slaw?

So what do you eat with coleslaw?

 

Southern US states serve coleslaw with almost every barbecue. Especially pulled pork and pulled BBQ chicken. 

 

 

Coleslaw has always been popular with pulled pork BBQ sandwiches and burgers. So much that in the South, coleslaw is like French fries to sandwiches!

 

Southern red cabbage slaw FAQs

Is red cabbage slaw good for you?

Red cabbage is full of nutrients that can dupe our senses into thinking we’re actually eating meat when we’re getting cruciferous goodness! 

Some of these nutrients include vitamin K and magnesium, essential to bone health.

 

Is cabbage healthier than lettuce?

Both cabbage and iceberg lettuce are excellent sources of nutrients. Yet cabbage contains significantly more vitamins and minerals.

 

 

What’s the difference between green and red cabbage?

Does red cabbage taste different from green cabbage?

 

Red cabbage has a bit more earthy flavor than green cabbage. It also tends to be smaller, denser, and a bit more peppery. 

 

 

What else can you do with red cabbage?

Red cabbage is perfect for preparing coleslaw, sauerkraut, or enjoying raw. 

 

It’s a great addition to entrees like fish tacos with ingredients such as rice vinegar, cilantro, red onion, lemon juice, green onion, or lime juice.

 

 

Does red cabbage cook the same as green?

Do you cook red cabbage?

Yep! And I’d say red cabbage is a bit more flavorful than green when cooked!

I encourage you to try this Southern soul food fried cabbage recipe with red cabbage instead!

 

 

How long does this slaw keep?

You can keep this red cabbage slaw in the fridge for up to five days in an airtight container.

 

Does red cabbage need to be washed?

Some say that washing the cabbage will remove any bacteria or dirt clinging to it. 

Others disagree, saying that washing the cabbage risks removing some of its healthy nutrients. 

While the debate continues and the answer is up in the air, you may consider whether washing and cutting the cabbage before eating or cooking is best for you.

 

 

Should cabbage be soaked before making coleslaw?

Nope. Not soaked. Juts rinsed to wash it. And make sure to dry it well. 

 

Why does coleslaw get watery?

No one likes watery coleslaw. The following three reasons explain why this happens:

1. Too much dressing or mayonnaise was added to the recipe.
2. The cabbage was washed and still water-logged when prepared.
3. There weren’t enough dry ingredients used in the recipe. 

 

What cabbage is best for slaw?

This recipe calls for the red cabbage (purple cabbage) variety. The colorful aesthetic is perfect for red food for a beautiful Juneteenth celebration!

 

 

How do you cut cabbage for coleslaw?

The fastest way to shred cabbage is with a food processor and its blade for shredding.

Alternately you can easily shred the cabbage with a quality chef’s knife.

 

How do you stop red cabbage from bleeding?

To stop red cabbage from bleeding in salads, toss it with vinegar after shredding. Acidic ingredients such as apple or wine will also do the trick.

 

 

How far in advance can you make this slaw?

Can you make this coleslaw ahead of time?

If you want your red cabbage coleslaw to be crunchy and tender, it’s recommended that you make it no more than 24 hours in advance. 

Try serving your coleslaw at most 8 hours after mixing all the ingredients.

 

How long does this slaw keep?

How long can you keep homemade coleslaw in the fridge? 

This healthy coleslaw recipe will last in the refrigerator for five days if stored properly. 

Keep coleslaw fresh by placing it in an airtight container in the fridge.

  

 

 

What did you think about this red foods Southern red cabbage recipe for Juneteenth?

The color red is extra special for Juneteenth. 

Red is the primary color of Juneteenth, symbolic of our enslaved ancestors’ bloodshed before freedom. 

We honor them with a celebratory spread of African-American soul food classic dishes. Especially red food and drinks on Juneteenth!

 Have you had Southern red cabbage slaw?

 Would you make it?

 Comment below and lemme know. Then subscribe HERE for all the soul food!