Diner-Style Coleslaw

I do love a cold, creamy coleslaw. Nothing fancy. And maybe a little vinegary kick. But not much. This diner-style coleslaw is my kind of slaw. Perfect on a hot day, for lunch or dinner. Perfect on a cool day too. And crazy easy to make. This slaw reminds me of the ones you’d find in the glass cases in the diners of old. The ones with the sliding doors. Made early that morning, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled to perfection! I have memories of the waitress taking my order, calling it into the kitchen. Usually a burger. Classic diner burger, with French fries. And then she’d reach into that fridge and grab a bowl of slaw. Covered in plastic wrap. Made fresh that morning. I’d start on the slaw while I waited for the rest of my meal. Most of the time, the slaw would be long gone by the time the burger and fries arrived!

Diner-Style Coleslaw

Nice And Creamy

You can use your favorite mayonnaise in this recipe. Just don’t use wimpy stuff. Even though this diner-style coleslaw isn’t complicated, better ingredients make for a better slaw. My memories of diner food are good. I don’t want them ruined by making less-than-wonderful copycats of the food I enjoyed at them! And whatever you do, don’t use ‘lite’ ingredients. This isn’t the time for that.

I didn’t have white balsamic vinegar on hand. I knew I didn’t want to use regular ole balsamic vinegar. Though it’d add the same flavor, it’d discolor the slaw. That wouldn’t be good. I used apple cider vinegar instead and the slaw came out fantastic. Problem solved!

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Regular Mayonnaise 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
  • Real Mayonnaise Made Like Homemade: Time-honored…
  • A History of Delicious: Our simple…

Also try my Memphis-style coleslaw.

Diner-Style Coleslaw
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5 from 1 vote

Diner-Style Coleslaw

Best served well-chilled!
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword coleslaw
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 188kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl mix together everything except for the slaw mix.
  • Add the slaw mix and stir to coat.
  • Sprinkle with the parsley (if using) and stir.

Notes

Stir again before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge.
You can substitute two small heads of cabbage and 2 carrots, all shredded, for the bagged slaw instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 21mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Restaurant-Style Coleslaw

Creamy. Cold. Delicious. This restaurant-style coleslaw is my kind of side dish. Easy as can be to put together. Ready in minutes. Perfect on a hot day, alongside some hot-off-the-grill burgers. And perfect heaped on top of grilled hot dogs or smoked pulled pork, too! This is a great salad that is reminiscent of the great slaw you could find at a roadside diner back in the day. If you’re lucky you can still find it today, but they’re rare indeed.

Restaurant-Style Coleslaw

Quick And Easy

I used two small bags of ready-made slaw mix. You know the stuff. Everything’s already in there. Sometimes it’s great, and well, sometimes you gotta keep an eye on it. They like to sneak chunks of stuff in there that aren’t very coleslaw-like. Like big ole chunks of cabbage heart. That tough stuff. Can’t do anything with that, so out it goes! It’s not perfect but it works. I do recommend doing a quick pass through the contents before using it in your coleslaw.

You can go the extra mile and buy a few heads of cabbage and a few carrots and shred them yourself. I admit it, I was in a hurry so I went with the bagged stuff. Either way you’re going to enjoy this restaurant-style coleslaw.

The original recipe for this slaw called for white balsamic vinegar. I didn’t have any of that on-hand. And it wasn’t really worth the added expense of something I hardly ever use or need. So I used apple cider vinegar instead. It was great! This slaw doesn’t have a strong vinegar flavor. Just a hint.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Regular Mayonnaise 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
  • Real Mayonnaise Made Like Homemade: Time-honored…
  • A History of Delicious: Our simple…

What goes great with great coleslaw? Great hot dogs, of course!

Restaurant-Style Coleslaw
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Restaurant-Style Coleslaw

Creamy and delicious. A great slaw for all seasons!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword coleslaw, restaurant
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 876kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together all but the coleslaw mix in a large bowl.
  • Add in the slaw mix and stir to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 876kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 88g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 50g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 724mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…