Skip to main content

Spicy and Creamy Slaw

Image may contain Cutlery Spoon Food Dish Meal and Plant
Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou

This super-flexible, all-purpose salad turns cabbage into luscious tangles of crisp leaves generously coated in a rich and bright dressing. It is guaranteed to go with any and all grilled foods, meaty mains like fried chicken, and hoagies that require two hands. Serve it right away or let it sit overnight—it’s good either way.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 Servings

Ingredients

½ small red onion or 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
½–1 serrano chile or jalapeño, thinly sliced into rounds
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
½ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 medium head of savoy or green cabbage (about 2 lb.)
½ cup chopped dill or parsley

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine red onion and vinegar in a small bowl; add ½–1 chile, depending on the heat of your chile and your preference; season with salt and pepper. Let sit 10 minutes. Whisk in garlic, yogurt, oil, and lemon zest and juice; set dressing aside.

    Step 2

    Cut cabbage in half through core. Remove core; discard. Tear leaves into 2" irregular pieces and place in a large bowl. Season with salt and massage and scrunch firmly with your hands for a minute or so to soften. Pour reserved dressing over cabbage and toss with your hands to coat. Season with more salt if needed (cabbage can take a good amount of salt).

    Step 3

    Toss in dill just before serving.

    Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 12 hours ahead; cover and chill. Slaw (without dill) can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

Read More
The contrast of serving a grilled vegetable ice-cold is thrilling, and the Caesar dressing is rich and thick enough to cling longingly to each leaf of cabbage.
Juicy steak, crisp lettuce, and a blender dressing come together for a breezy summer dinner.
Cilantro and a handful of basic spices brings vibrant green color and rich flavor to broiled chicken thighs. Served with rice or naan, this is a weeknight win.
An accidental recipe (sbagliatio means mistaken in Italian) yields a delicious herby tahini dressing that is excellent poured over lightly blanched green beans.
Juicy ground chicken and charred cabbage are the stars of this family-friendly meal.
Your new house dressing: creamy, herby, and dangerously dippable.
Letting just-grilled, still-warm peppers marinate in a bright and punchy vinaigrette allows the flavors to permeate even further.
Charred chicken breasts coated in a tangy dry rub sit atop a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber, and onions.