Go Back
–+ servings
Southern Soul Food Coleslaw

Southern Soul Food Coleslaw

My family's Southern coleslaw recipe stands out due to the unique blend of creamy and vinegar-based ingredients in the dressing. Soulful seasonings like dill, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper honor the soul food tradition, transforming a simple cabbage salad into a flavorful expression of cultural cuisine!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 8
Calories: 81kcal
Author: Shaunda Necole • The Soul Food Pot®

Equipment

  • Chef’s knife or food processor
  • Cutting board

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  • Use a chef’s knife or food processor to shred the cabbage and carrots. I like to coarsely shred the green cabbage and finely shred the red.
  • Use the knife or food processor to dice the celery and onion.
  • Add the shredded cabbage to a large bowl, and then add the carrots, celery, and onion.
  • Next, sprinkle in the sugar, dill, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
  • Then add the mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar to the cabbage mixture.
  • Stir and fold the ingredients into each other until thoroughly combined.
  • Serve Black folks soul food Southern coleslaw right away, or for cold coleslaw, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh sprigs of thyme, serve, and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 236mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1941IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

❤️ Why trust this recipe?

Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.

Save it so you can make it!Pin this recipe to remember it later.