Coleslaw salad is a great source of vitamins, besides the simple ingredients and a short preparation time make this dish a perfect decision for quick eating.
Naturally, it may so happen that there will be some salad left and a question of how to preserve coleslaw appears.
Can I freeze coleslaw?
That’s what we are going to figure out here today!
Coleslaw. Origin, Ingredients, and Making
This raw salad can be a real found in winter when we don’t have so many fresh veggies to consume but our bodies still require vitamins.
The name of this salad comes from the Dutch word “koolsla” which literally means “cabbage salad‘.
Firstly a similar recipe was found in a cookbook dated by 1770 in the Netherlands. Back then, coleslaw was made of only raw cabbage stripes mixed with some melted butter, salt, vinegar, and oil. Simple as it is.
Later, mayonnaise was added to the original content and soon it replaced the butter completely.
Nevertheless, if we take a look at the modern coleslaw recipes, we will see that they vary greatly. Some still use only white cabbage whereas others replaced it with the red cabbage. Also, some other ingredients were added.
Related: Can You Freeze Gravy?
Its German version, for instance, is made of marinated cabbage and Italian coleslaw has ham and sliced pepper except for the basic ingredients.
In Poland, coleslaw is made of white or Chinese cabbage, chopped onion, chopped raw carrots, and parsley. As a dressing, sour cream or mayonnaise is used.
However, nowadays anyone can make their own coleslaw by adding almost any ingredients they prefer. There are recipes that include hard cheese, raw and finely chopped beet, cranberry, leek, nuts, and even raisins!
Of course, it is upon the personal taste what components to use but there is a frozen coleslaw recipe that can satisfy anyone!
- To prepare a classic coleslaw, take one head of white and one head of red cabbage, two carrots, and one small onion.
- Cut them all it thin and long strands, put to the bowl and set aside.
- Make a dressing by mixing mayonnaise, apple vinegar, and mustard together. Whisk the mixture, then salt it and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the veggie mix and stir thoroughly.
- Put to refrigerate for thirty minutes and then set it to the table.
Bon appetit!
Related: Can You Freeze Baked Beans?
Coleslaw Nutrition Facts
Since this side dish consists of raw components, it is a healthy kind of food but that’s only if we consume a homemade salad. Those purchased in the store can contain artificial elements like preservatives, etc.
The original coleslaw made at home is a low-fat dish with the low calories content, especially if you use low-fat mayonnaise or sour cream for the dressing.
The dish is rich in protein and carbs, besides, it improves our digestion and is very good for the stomach.
Besides, regular consumption of slaw will improve the work of the intestines.
How to Store Coleslaw Salad Correctly
Naturally, anyone would like to keep such a useful dish edible longer without spoiling it or causing any harm to their own health.
Since coleslaw has a dressing, this is the only ingredient that is under the risk of spoilage since raw vegetables are more or less durable.
For this reason, the optimal way to store coleslaw is to refrigerate it since cold can slow down the spoiling process.
How long does coleslaw last in the fridge?
Normally its expiration comes after five days of storage, of course, if it is the homemade salad that was packed properly. The store-purchased one will last for three days.
Freshly made slaw must be consumed within two hours and the rest must be saved, otherwise, it will turn bad.
For better storage, always keep this salad closed in the airtight tanks but if you want to keep it really long, then think about how you can freeze coleslaw.
Related: How Long Does Spaghetti Last In The Fridge? Storage Advice
Signs Of Spoiled Salad
It is sad but any food can spoil. When it happens, we must be attentive to notice the first signs and discard the foods before someone can taste them since consumption of the bad products may lead to food poisoning!
How to tell if coleslaw is bad?
There’re several obvious signs:
- Mold
- Discoloration or dark spots
- Sour or off odor
- Prolonged storage. If the salad stayed refrigerated for more than five days, discard it since it’s already off.
- Bad taste (only if you risk to try it!)
Any of these symptoms show that the slaw has gone bad and must be thrown away.
Freezing Coleslaw Tips and Instructions
Is it possible to make it last longer, you may wonder? It is possible and the answer is to freeze the coleslaw.
Of course, knowing how to freeze coleslaw correctly is a must to avoid messing up with it and spoil the food even sooner than expected.
Before starting, note that mayonnaise-based salad is not good to freeze since this kind of dressing won’t react to frost properly and will separate after defrosting ruining the looks and the taste of the dish.
- Take the leftover salad and stuff it into an airtight frost-resistant packet
- Seal it properly squeezing away the most of the air
- Write a date it was packed and toss to the freezing camera
Done! Now frozen coleslaw can remain edible for three months!
How long does coleslaw last after it’s defrosted? The optimal time is three days to consume it.
Defrosting Coleslaw Salad Properly
To return the salad to its original state, just remove it to the fridge and leave there overnight.
Remember though that after defrosting, the dish can become slightly watery but that’s OK.
The taste and the texture won’t be affected by the frost (unless it is a mayonnaise-based variant).
Top Coleslaw Recipes For Summer. Easy to Learn, Ready to Taste!
We all love slaw since it is easy to prepare and store, it’s tasty and very light. No cooking is needed, and the ingredients can be bought anytime.
Another good thing about it is that slaw is that sort of the dishes that can fit any season!
So instead of making a batch of salad that you’ll have to stock in a freezer, why not learn how to make light summer versions of the slaw that everyone will love from the first bite?
- Spicy kimchi slaw
If you’re fond of Asian cuisine, you’ll definitely like this ready-to-eat salad that can serve as a great appetizer! It can be served either vegetarian or with added cooked chicken, but then you’ll have to spend some time on cooking meat, for example deli meat.
- Kale Ceasar slaw
Coleslaw usually associates with various veggies like carrots, cabbage, etc. But what if we skip the traditional list of ingredients and give it a try and mix in anchovies, egg yolks, and Parmesan? It’s so delicious that you won’t have to preserve it in a freezer! Besides, this slaw can be preserved in the freezer without problems.
- Creamy miso slaw
Coleslaw is one of the dishes we can play with and easily skip some ingredients without ruining the whole taste. Miso pairs cabbage wonderfully adding the food piquant notes. Only don’t put it to the freezer since the dressing is too wet!
- Summer mix slaw
Create a new type of coleslaw by adding radish, crispy shallots, and collard greens. No wasting time on cooking, and awesome taste instead.
- Pineapple and celery slaw
A wonderful option for a hot summer day! A slightly sweet and light salad that will pair with fish foods, for example salmon fish, 100%. However, this one can hardly be saved in the freezer.
In fact, coleslaw is a very flexible dish and you can easily skip certain components and replace them with other ones. Besides, this salad can be stored in a freezer when dry which makes it possible to enjoy this refreshing taste anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that you may have more questions regarding how to prepare this simple side dish. that’s why here is the list of the most frequent ones to check out.
Can shredded cabbage for coleslaw be frozen?
Of course, the components of the salad can be exposed to frost to keep them edible. That’s a good idea if you don’t feel like spending time on chopping and stirring on the day you need the dish to be done.
How long does vinegar coleslaw last?
No matter what the dressing is made of, coleslaw usually lasts for five days in the fridge.
Can you freeze broccoli slaw?
Broccoli slaw can be preserved this way just the same as the original coleslaw.
Can I freeze coleslaw mix?
If you bought a veggie mix for the salad and it has no dressing added, it’s OK to toss it to the freezing camera to preserve.
Can you freeze homemade coleslaw?
Unless the dish has mayonnaise in it, it can be easily exposed to frost. Mayo-containing salad will become too watery and can separate after defrosting.
There is some water in my slaw after I took it out of the freezer and thaw it. Is it normal?
Probably this type of veggie mix contained dressing when you chilled it in the freezer. So after you thaw the slaw, the excess water comes out after the dish is taken out of the freezer. Besides, the vegetables extract their natural juice anyway (even if the slaw has only acetum added). That is why, when we thaw the slaw, it’s better not to leave it frozen for too long to have it dry and delicious afterward.
How long can I keep the coleslaw in the refrigerator if the salad has chicken in it?
If chicken meat was added to the slaw when cooking it, the keeping period of the dish won’t change much. Normally, cooked chicken lasts about four days, and so does the slaw in the refrigerator. Make sure that you place the foodstuff in a tightly sealed bag or tank and squeeze out the excess air to avoid oxidizing and contamination, that’s the only requirement.
Is it ok to place coleslaw to the fridge before serving it?
Absolutely. Dishes like slaw can stay cooled a bit before serving, only don’t place them there for more than an hour, otherwise, there is a risk that the foodstuff will become less delicious and its flavor will degrade a bit.
My coleslaw spent several days in the freezer and it’s completely chilled now. Can I defrost coleslaw by putting it in hot water?
To thaw the slaw and still keep it delicious and save the flavor, it’s recommended to transfer it from the freezer to the fridge in the same bag it was chilled and leave there overnight.
If the bag with the salad is immersed in hot water, the heat will speed up the melting process which will release a lot of excess water from the dish. So better use the refrigerating option, it’s easy and it’ll provide you with the dry and tasty food.
Top Coleslaw Recipes For Summer. Easy to Learn, Ready to Taste!
We all love slaw since it is easy to prepare and store, it’s tasty and very light. No cooking is needed, and the ingredients can be bought anytime.
Another good thing about it is that slaw is that sort of the dishes that can fit any season!
So instead of making a batch of salad that you’ll have to stock in a freezer, why not learn how to make light summer versions of the slaw that everyone will love from the first bite?
1. Spicy kimchi slaw
If you’re fond of Asian cuisine, you’ll definitely like this ready-to-eat salad that can serve as a great appetizer! It can be served either vegetarian or with added cooked chicken, but then you’ll have to spend some time on cooking meat.
2. Kale Ceasar slaw
Coleslaw usually associates with various veggies like carrots, cabbage, etc. But what if we skip the traditional list of ingredients and give it a try and mix in anchovies, egg yolks, and Parmesan? It’s so delicious that you won’t have to preserve it in a freezer! Besides, this slaw can be preserved in the freezer without problems.
3. Creamy miso slaw
Coleslaw is one of the dishes we can play with and easily skip some ingredients without ruining the whole taste. Miso pairs cabbage wonderfully adding the food piquant notes. Only don’t put it to the freezer since the dressing is too wet!
4. Summer mix slaw
Create a new type of coleslaw by adding radish, crispy shallots, and collard greens. No wasting time on cooking, and awesome taste instead.
5. Pineapple and celery slaw
A wonderful option for a hot summer day! A slightly sweet and light salad that will pair with fish foods 100%. However, this one can hardly be saved in the freezer.
In fact, coleslaw is a very flexible dish and you can easily skip certain components and replace them with other ones. Besides, this salad can be stored in a freezer when dry which makes it possible to enjoy this refreshing taste anytime.
Read next: How Long Does Steak Last In The Fridge?
