is coleslaw same as salad

When youre shredding a head of cabbage for a side dish, there are a few ways you can dress it up. Cabbage salad and coleslaw may look similar at first glance since the main component of both dishes is the same. While both can be used in much the same way (either as a condiment or a standalone salad), there are a few important distinctions between them.

The biggest difference between coleslaw and cabbage salad is the dressing. While a cabbage salad typically features a lighter vinaigrette made with an oil base, coleslaw is typically coated in a heavier, creamy dressing.

While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredients like shredded veggies, fruits, or seasonings to give some variety to the dish. While both feature cabbage as the star of the show, the different dressings set the two apart.

A salad can contain various things. You know things like lettuce, carrots, celery, cucumbers and usually a dressing such as thousand island or ranch. Coleslaw can actually contain the carrots, celery, and even cucumbers but instead of lettuce it contains cabbage, and no lettuce.

So, let’s brighten up those dinner plates with some new slaw recipes like Vegan Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw; Spicy Coleslaw; Brussels Sprouts, Apple, and Pomegranate Slaw Salad; Creamy Brussels Sprouts Slaw; Kohlrabi, Green Cabbage and Broccoli Rabe Slaw, and Creamy Blue Cheese and Bacon Coleslaw.

Not all slaws are made with mayo. In North Carolina, for instance, slaw is usually quite vinegary, and not at all creamy. It’s a must-have accompaniment to the region’s pulled pork.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary says “coleslaw” comes from the Dutch “koolsla,” which combines “kool” (cabbage) and “sla” (salad). At its simplest, classic American coleslaw is a mixture of chopped or grated cabbage with mayonnaise, vinegar, and maybe a bit of sugar, plus salt and pepper, of course.

There are Tex-Mex versions (think chipotles in adobo, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, cilantro), and western North Carolina boasts a Red Slaw version, with ketchup instead of mayonnaise. In Russia, cranberries often make an appearance in slaw.

Or coleslaws — what’s the difference? Really nothing. Technically, coleslaw involves cabbage, whether green, red or napa, while the category of slaws can include all kinds of chopped or shredded crunchy vegetables. The two words are used interchangeably for the most part however.

The dressing makes all the difference

The dressing for a cabbage salad is fairly light, starting with your choice of oil. It can then be seasoned and flavored with additions like lemon juice, salt, or honey. The cabbage is then tossed in the dressing and served either on its own or as a condiment to other dishes.

However, coleslaw requires a creamy base. While mayonnaise is the standard ingredient used for this, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream can provide a similar consistency. This base is thinned out a little with some vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or white vinegar can all add a little bit of acidity while remaining neutrally flavored. Then, other seasonings can be mixed in, and the dressing can coat the shredded vegetables to make coleslaw.

The creaminess of the mayonnaise-based coleslaw makes it the perfect companion to contrast the saltiness of savory dishes like pulled pork sandwiches or hamburgers. Cabbage salad, on the other hand, makes for a little bit of a lighter bite.

Coleslaw Recipe | How to Make Coleslaw Salad

FAQ

Does coleslaw count as a salad?

Why is salad called coleslaw?

What is coleslaw considered?

Is coleslaw a compound salad?

What is a coleslaw salad?

Coleslaw is a salad that is made of shredded raw cabbage and other vegetables mixed with a salad dressing, especially mayonnaise. The main ingredient in a coleslaw dish is cabbage. In fact, the name coleslaw comes from the Dutch term koolsla, which means ‘cabbage salad.’

What is Swedish coleslaw?

The term coleslaw ( Swedish: coleslaw, or Swedish: kålsallad) is reserved for cabbage salad with mayonnaise-based dressing and is typically seen as American cuisine. In the United Kingdom, coleslaw often contains carrot and onion in addition to cabbage and is usually made with mayonnaise or salad cream.

Is cold slaw the same as coleslaw?

Cole is not a common term; to those unfamiliar with it, cold as part of a name for a salad usually served cold would be considered correct. However, coleslaw is the proper name for the salad made from a cole crop plant. In the past, cold slaw and coleslaw may have been used interchangeably, but cold slaw has since soured as a variant.

What is the etymology of coleslaw?

Etymology is the main course. Coleslaw is the common name and spelling for the side salad listed on restaurant menus (especially those having barbecue, seafood, or fried food options) that typically consists of raw shredded cabbage with a mayonnaise- or vinegar-based dressing.