Coleslaw is one of those dishes that always seems to show up at cookouts, potlucks and backyard BBQs, but it rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. It’s usually there on the side dish table, sandwiched between the potato salad and the baked beans, but it’s often the last side standing because it’s too dry or too creamy or too watery or just not flavorful enough.
But every once in a while, you stumble across a version that makes you remember why coleslaw is a cookout classic. It’s crunchy, tangy, creamy and—hey!—you’re getting your veggies in! When I saw Christine Pittman’s (@cookthestory) Three-Ingredient Creamy Coleslaw, which includes a genius secret ingredient, I knew we had to give it a try. The quick and easy recipe is the perfect thing to serve for the upcoming holiday weekend, where we say goodbye to summer and goodbye to boring coleslaw forever. Keep reading for what happened when I whipped up this dish in my kitchen.
Related:How to Make the Best-Ever Creamy Coleslaw, According to Chef Andrew Zimmern (and His Mom)
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The Secret Ingredient for the Best-Ever Coleslaw
The recipe couldn’t be simpler: It’s just a bag of coleslaw mix, apple cider vinegar and the key ingredient—a bottle of Caesar dressing. No endless list of spices, hauling out the food processor or chopping vegetables until your hands cramp up. I was intrigued from the jump, mostly because it reminded me of my grandmother’s coleslaw. However, she had a laundry list of ingredients that went in hers and this one, I could throw together in about two minutes.
The Caesar dressing is really a game-changer. It’s such a smart way to pack in a ton of flavor with just one ingredient. It’s creamy and super savory and perfect paired with cabbage. When combined with the slaw mix and some tangy apple cider vinegar you get a creamy, tangy slaw that’s perfectly balanced. I’d also be surprised if your guests could identify the secret Caesar ingredient.
Related: I Tried 14 Bottled Caesar Salad Dressings and the Winner Totally Surprised Me
Ingredients for Three-Ingredient Coleslaw
For this recipe, you’ll need a bottle of Caesar dressing, apple cider vinegar and a 14-ounce bag of pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix. If you prefer to slice your own cabbage you can do that instead, of course. You’ll need 6 to 7 cups.
Related: If You Love Ranch, You Need To Know About Creamy ‘Franch’ Dressing
How to Make Three-Ingredient Coleslaw
Courtesy Jessica Wrubel
In a large bowl, mix together the Caesar dressing, a splash of apple cider vinegar and salt to taste. Add your slaw mix and toss until coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. That’s it!
Related: Dolly Parton’s Secret Ingredient for the Best-Ever Coleslaw
My Honest Thoughts About This Three-Ingredient Coleslaw Recipe
As soon as I saw her post, I knew I wanted to give Christine’s shortcut version a try for my end-of-summer bash (using my trusty Trader Joe’s bag of coleslaw mix). For the dressing, I picked up a bottle of TJ’s Caesar dressing, which I already know I like. My total? Just under $6. The result? A bowl big enough to feed a small crowd and a recipe that felt like a nostalgic throwback to grandma’s kitchen, but so much easier (and zero food processor required, win!).
I loved how ridiculously fast this came together. And it delivered on all the classic coleslaw counts: creamy, cool, crunchy and a little zing from the black pepper I crushed on top. This is a total keeper in my book. For less than $6 and practically zero effort with high-praise results, it’s now my new go-to side for any future summer cookout (and I’m pretty sure it’ll be yours too).
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