This Trader Joe’s Style Crunchy Coleslaw is a creamy and tangy recipe, which is made with fresh cabbage, carrots, and a simple homemade dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for any barbecue or potluck, ready in 15 minutes, plus chilling time.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Style Crunchy Coleslaw Ingredients
For the Slaw:
- 1 small head of cabbage, shredded and chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1 large carrot, shredded
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper (more or less to taste)
How To Make Trader Joe’s Style Crunchy Coleslaw
- Prep the Vegetables: Cut the cabbage in half, remove the core, and then slice it into very thin shreds. Roughly chop the shreds into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Grate the carrot. Place the prepared cabbage and carrot in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy.
- Combine and Chill: Pour the slaw dressing over the cabbage and carrots. Toss everything together thoroughly to combine.
- Marinate and Serve: For the best flavor, refrigerate the coleslaw for at least a day, or a minimum of one hour, before serving. Stir it a few times as it sits in the fridge to redistribute the dressing.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the perfect slaw texture? As the original notes suggest, the best texture comes from shredding your own fresh cabbage and carrots. A sharp knife or a mandoline for the cabbage and a box grater for the carrot work perfectly.
- How to prevent a watery coleslaw? A classic chef’s trick is to “sweat” the cabbage first. After shredding, place the cabbage in a colander, toss it with about a tablespoon of salt, and let it sit for an hour. The salt will draw out a significant amount of excess water. Rinse the cabbage thoroughly and pat it completely dry before dressing it.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! Coleslaw is a perfect make-ahead dish. The recipe notes that the flavor is significantly better after it has had a day in the refrigerator for the flavors of the dressing to meld and for the cabbage to tenderize slightly.
- The Trader Joe’s Shortcut: For an even faster version, skip the shredding and use one bag of Trader Joe’s Organic Shredded Green & Red Cabbage with Carrots.
What To Serve With Crunchy Coleslaw
This is a classic side dish that is a staple at any barbecue, picnic, or potluck. It is the perfect cool and crunchy contrast to rich, savory meats. Serve it with:
- Trader Joe’s Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce slathered on pulled pork sandwiches.
- Crispy Fried Chicken.
- Grilled Hamburgers or Hot Dogs.
- Smoked Brisket or Ribs.
How To Store Crunchy Coleslaw
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days, though the cabbage will continue to soften over time.
Crunchy Coleslaw Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 serving
- Calories: 246kcal
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 21g
- Sodium: 485mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
No, you can use all green cabbage if that’s what you have. Using a mix that includes purple cabbage is primarily for visual appeal, as it creates a beautiful, colorful slaw.
Yes. You can substitute the granulated sugar with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup for a slightly different flavor profile in the dressing.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the seasoning. The flavors will meld and change as the slaw sits. It’s always a good idea to taste it again just before serving and add an extra pinch of salt, a grind of black pepper, or a splash more vinegar to brighten it up.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Fried Calamari Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Cacio e Pepe Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken Recipe
Trader Joe’s Style Crunchy Coleslaw Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes246
kcalA classic, creamy, and tangy coleslaw with a perfectly crunchy texture, made with a simple homemade dressing that’s perfect for any barbecue.
Ingredients
Slaw: 1 small cabbage (shredded) & 1 large carrot (shredded).
Dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 ½ tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, ⅛ tsp pepper.
Directions
- Shred the cabbage and carrot and place them in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to a day) before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- The Trader Joe’s Shortcut: For the quickest prep, use one bag of Trader Joe’s Organic Shredded Green & Red Cabbage with Carrots instead of shredding your own.
- Chill for Flavor: The most important tip for the best flavor is to let the coleslaw chill for at least one hour before serving. The taste is even better the next day.
- Shred Your Own for Crunch: For the absolute best, crunchiest texture, take the time to shred a fresh head of cabbage and a whole carrot yourself.
- Prevent Watery Slaw: A pro tip to avoid a watery result is to salt your shredded cabbage in a colander for an hour, then rinse and dry it completely before you add the dressing.
