Simple Farmhouse Coleslaw || The Way Grandma Made It

This simple farmhouse coleslaw is the perfect dish for summer bbq’s, potluck parties, and holidays. It’s inexpensive, quick and easy to make, and it tastes fabulous too!

It appeals even to those who think they don’t care for coleslaw. So, if you know someone who has coleslaw written down on their list of banished foods get them to give this dish a try. I’m willing to bet it will convert them to an avid coleslaw fan.

It’s my experience, after more than 40 years in the kitchen, that it is not coleslaw people dislike but rather the vinegar that is in almost every variation of this dish out there.

Is coleslaw a summertime dish?

I suppose farmhouse coleslaw could be thought of as a ‘summertime dish’. It is definitely more often served in the heat of the summer.

It makes the perfect accompaniment to backyard bbq food, and is one of the reknown trio of cold salad side dishes.

You know the three cold salad sisters, right? Potato salad, macaroni salad, and coleslaw. At least one of them shows up at almost every summer gathering. More often they travel in groups.

However, farmhouse coleslaw also makes a great side dish for cold weather holiday meals; including, thanksgiving and christmas.

And if you’re feeling a little couped up or have a touch of the wintertime blues, this dish can bring a little ray of sunshine to your table, and your heart, for sure.

So, don’t let your favorite coleslaw recipe get shoved to the back of the recipe box in colder weather. It may be just the thing you need to brighten things up.

What can I serve farmhouse coleslaw with?

As previously mentioned, coleslaw and the typical bbq food go very well together. Particularly when there is actual bbq sauce involved.

There is something almost magical about the contrast between the tang of a good bbq sauce and the smooth, creaminess of an old fashioned dish of farmhouse slaw.

One of the very popular ways to serve this dish at a bbq is also one of the best. And that is to top a pulled pork, beef, or chicken sandwich with it instead of some other dressing. So YUMMY!

If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying slaw this way be sure you give it a shot this summer. It’s guaranteed to become a backyard bbq must-have for you forever more.

Actually, it goes well with just about any sandwich. Some of the more common favorites are burgers, sausage and peppers, and pastrami. Or you can keep it just as simple as can be and use it to replace that tomato soup you usually serve with your favorite grilled cheese sandwich in colder seasons.

Another very popular way to serve up a side of farmhouse coleslaw is as an accompaniment to fried chicken or fish dinners. Who can say … “Give me fries and slaw with that, please”?

And finally, when you’ve had your fill of the side salad at your dinner table it just may be farmhouse coleslaw to your rescue.

How farmhouse coleslaw is made

One of the great things about farmhouse coleslaw is that it is so easy to make. A few minutes with the food processor, tossing a few ingredients in a bowl, and mixing it all up with a spoon is all it takes.

It can be done in less than 10 minutes. And that’s just the kind of dish you want to put together on a busy day.

If you find yourself in a time crunch, this dish is the way to go.

It has made my potluck party game exponentially easier. EVERYBODY always requests it. So, the dish I have to whip together for the party is done in minutes. A game-changer, for sure!

Variations of coleslaw

If you watched my video above than you already know that I think the best way to prepare this dish is to keep it simple.

I use just 5 ingredients when making farmhouse coleslaw, just like my grandma did. It’s simplicity is part of it’s appeal. And I have found that more people enjoy it this way than any other way I’ve seen.

BUT … there are certainly many other ways to prepare it.

Here are just a few ingredients you can try adding if you are of a mind too …

• Shredded apples or pears
• Chopped nuts, your choice
• Dried cranberries
• Raisins
• Shredded onions
• Shredded bell peppers

All of these options have their own fan clubs. You do you!

How long will coleslaw stay good in the fridge?

This dish has a pretty long shelf life. If you use fresh ingredients when you make it and you keep it well refrigerated, it will last up to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Because it is often served at gatherings, it is important to note that if it sits out on a buffet style table for a few hours it’s shelf life will be considerably shorter.

Do you have a favorite coleslaw recipe? I’d love to hear how you prepare this dish.

So, let’s meet in the comments and chat all about it!

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