Hillbilly Cole Slaw

This Hillbilly Cole Slaw is dressed with a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing, It’s a spectacular twist on classic creamy Southern coleslaw. You can serve it as a condiment for grilled hot dogs, pinto beans or alongside pulled pork barbecue and Southern fried chicken. The vinegar dressing makes it ideal for warm weather entertaining, and it’s simple to pack-up and take to potluck parties year-round.

Ingredients for Hillbilly Cole Slaw Recipe

I bet you’re wondering, what in the world is hillbilly cole slaw? Well, the short answer is, it’s a fresh vinegar based coleslaw that we fell in love with it at a little gem near our home in North Carolina.  The Hillbilly Hideaway  is a log cabin restaurant featuring country cooking specialties all served family-style. It’s only open on Fridays, Saturday and Sunday which only heightens its appeal. This recipe is my homage to their vinegar based slaw that rotates on their menu with a mayonnaise dressed slaw, depending on the night. I must admit, while I love mayo, this southern cole slaw recipe is like a summer version of chow chow. It complements a bowl of beans and cornbread in a most magnificent way. Ingredients you’ll need to make Hillbilly Coleslaw: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe.)

• Cabbage: This recipe uses fresh green cabbage for the crunchy base.
• Carrots: Grated carrots add a hint of sweetness to balance the bitter flavor of the cabbage.
• Green Pepper: Green bell peppers are picked before they’re ripe which gives then a slightly grassy and bitter flavor. The balance the sweet vinegar dressing.
• Red Onion: Red onion has a mildly sweet flavor that’s delicious for eating raw.
• Green Onions: Add color and a mild flavor.
• Seasonings: Garlic salt, celery seeds and lemon pepper season the veggies perfectly.
• White Vinegar: Vinegar forms the base of the sweet and tangy dressing.
• Vegetable Oil: Lends a silky texture to the dressing and adds a vinaigrette element.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness.

How to Make the Best Hillbilly Cole Slaw Recipe

You’ll love this simple recipe! This is a quick summary of how you make it:

• Prep the Vegetables – Layer shredded cabbage, carrots, green pepper, red onion and green onion in a shallow container.
• Seasonings – Sprinkle with teaspoon garlic salt, celery seed and lemon pepper.
• Vinegar Dressing – In a small saucepan on the stovetop bring vinegar, oil and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and stir until sugar dissolves.
• Pour Dressing Over Vegetables – Immediately pour the hot vinegar dressing evenly over vegetables. Seal tightly and chill for 24 hours.
• Stir and Enjoy – Toss ingredients well before serving.

Tips for Making

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: A food processor, box grater, large bowl, sharp knife and chopping board, 13×9 inch glass or ceramic dish, measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Layer the Veggies: Layering the ingredients is key to this Southern hillbilly coleslaw recipe. I have found when making this slaw that the cabbage takes the longest to absorb the flavors of the vinegar dressing hence the reason it’s on the bottom of the dish.
• Red Onion: Once you toss the remaining ingredients with the vinegar dressing, the red onion will lose some of its color. Will this hurt the taste? It won’t, but we do eat with our eyes first so I wanted to mention it.
• Chill Time: It’s imperative that you allow this easy recipe to chill for 24 hours in a shallow glass or ceramic dish. Stir well before serving.
• Serving Suggestions: How do you serve with Hillbilly Cole Slaw: Depending on the day, you may enjoy fried chicken, country ham, ribs, bbq chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket or meatloaf  as the entrée.
• Side Dishes to Serve with Hillbilly Cole Slaw: This easy coleslaw goes well with many of your favorite side dishes such as Southern green beans, potato salad, home cooked pinto beans, mashed potatoes, cream style corn, sweet potatoes, candied yams and Southern fried apples. To round out the meal, a basket of biscuits and cornbread.

Recipe Variations

• Onion: You could use a white onion or Vidalia onion in place of red onion.
• Vinegar: You could use half apple cider vinegar with the white vinegar.
• Garlic Salt: You could use one teaspoon table salt and one teaspoon garlic powder in place of garlic salt.
• Peppers: You could swap out the green pepper for a sweet red pepper. You could also add a poblano pepper or jalapeno pepper along with fresh cilantro to add spice.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store leftover Hillbilly Cole Slaw in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

Best Southern Style Main Dishes to Serve with Cole Slaw

Cole slaw goes with so many Southern style entrees we love in the South. A few you may like to try:

• Serve cole slaw alongside a bowl of Pinto Beans and cornbread.
• Pile it on top of Carolina style Pulled Pork Barbecue sandwiches. 
• Oven Chili Cheese Dogs are a family favorite.
• Crispy Air Fryer Pork Chops with mashed potatoes and green beans.
• Chili Rubbed Pork Loin Roast and vegetables.
• Delicious Southern Meatloaf for added texture and color.
• Chili Cheese Corn Dog Muffins smothered with chili.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Food Processor
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Whisks