Amish Freezer Slaw Recipe - Make-ahead Coleslaw - These Old Cookbooks (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze made up coleslaw? ›

It is perfectly safe to freeze coleslaw. You can freeze coleslaw without risk as long as the slaw hasn't been left out before freezing and it's thawed slowly in the fridge. Now, will your coleslaw be just as good once it's thawed? No, most definitely not.

Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage and carrots. Toss gently to combine, making sure all the shreds are coated evenly. (If you're making this more than an hour or two ahead of your party, save a little dressing to toss with the salad just before serving.) Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Store leftover coleslaw in the fridge in an airtight container, preferably storing the dressing and the veggies separately to prevent the coleslaw from getting too soggy. Leftover shredded veggies will last for 3-5 days in the fridge. And the vinegar dressing can last for up to 2 weeks.

First, layer the bottom of the container with paper towels. They'll absorb moisture. Then, gently pack the leaves in the container and top with another paper towel before storing in the crisper drawer. Don't pack the leaves too tightly, or they won't have breathing room (that can invite rapid rot).

If you're wondering if you can freeze cabbage for coleslaw, the answer is no. You can try to thaw frozen cabbage in the fridge and then use it in raw preparations like slaws and salads. However, I've found that defrosted cabbage gets too soggy and doesn't have the same crunchy texture that you want in a coleslaw.

In short, the answer is yes. Cabbage can be frozen, and we can absolutely store for later, defrost, and cook that frozen cabbage.

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Salting the cabbage should be step one of any coleslaw recipe. With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness.

Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar.

How long can you freeze coleslaw with mayonnaise in it? ›

No, you can't freeze coleslaw with a mayo dressing. Mayonaise curdles and separates when it freezes, so it's not pleasant to eat. Frozen mayonnaise splits because it's an emulsion of fat (oil), protein (egg yolk) and water.

Peel the onion and shallot, and slice as finely as you can, along with the cabbage, if using. Add these to the bowl of veg. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and mustard. Pick the herb leaves and chop, then stir into the dressing.

In short, you can freeze coleslaw. But not the one that uses mayonnaise, as the dressing splits, and the texture just isn't the same anymore.

Even if the bag says "prewashed" or "triple-washed," wash the greens yourself. Rinsing won't remove all bacteria but may remove residual soil. Prevent cross contamination by keeping greens away from raw meat.

When you grab that tub of coleslaw from the supermarket, it's going to have a best-by date. That's your North Star. As a general rule of thumb, once opened, you should consume it within three to five days.

Only freeze coleslaw with vinegar and oil-based dressing. If you want to freeze coleslaw and still have a mayonnaise dressing, freeze the veggies and add the dressing after it's thawed. This is because mayonnaise and other creamy dressing used for coleslaw tend to separate and are not pleasant when thawed.

Shredded cabbage can be frozen with or without blanching it first. Simply wash, and then shred your cabbage before placing it in freezer bags. Squeeze the bags to remove the air and then seal the bags before putting them in the freezer.

To answer shortly: yes, you can freeze your coleslaw for up to 6 months. Keep in mind, though, that mayonnaise dressings do not freeze well. Hence, freeze the coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing.

Generally, coleslaw can last in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days if it is kept in an airtight container and the fridge maintains a consistent temperature between 35°F and 38°F. The presence of mayonnaise in coleslaw can affect its shelf life.