Houston’s Coleslaw

Creamy, tangy, and refreshing, our Houston’s coleslaw recipe allows fans of the chain to enjoy this easy-to-make and versatile side for their home cookouts and other meals.

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Houston’s famous coleslaw

Houston’s may not be America’s biggest or best-known restaurant chain. But those who know about this classy, upscale-casual eatery often become big fans of the high-quality meals and wide-ranging selection.

One of Houston’s most beloved pairings for its diverse mix of entrees is coleslaw – but not just any old coleslaw. Fortunately, we’ve unlocked the secret to recreating this craveable, creamy delight in your home kitchen. 

What makes Houston’s coleslaw so good

No matter what’s on your plate, Houston’s coleslaw balances and enhances it. It’s got an intense creaminess far beyond its competitors thanks to a trio of rich, creamy ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk.

The latter combines with apple cider vinegar for a perfectly balanced tang, while horseradish and mustard add a hint of spice. When contrasted with the freshness of the cabbage, it’s hard to beat.   

Why you’ll love this recipe 

One of the best parts of this recipe is that the big flavors of this coleslaw don’t come with a big time commitment or hit to your grocery budget. Though it might seem like a long list of ingredients, they’re all easy to find and affordable for home cooks everywhere. Many are long-lasting for future batches of coleslaw, too.

Meanwhile, chopping the veggies, mixing the dressing, and combining the two takes just minutes, making it easy to whip up this refreshing side dish in nearly any situation.  

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make the slaw:

• Cabbage
• Fresh parsley
• Green onions
• Salt
• Mayonnaise
• Buttermilk
• Sour cream
• Brown mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar
• Prepared horseradish
• Dill pickle relish

While this recipe contains plentiful amounts of dairy, it’s possible to enjoy similar results using non-dairy replacements for mayonnaise, buttermilk, and sour cream.

How to make Houston’s Coleslaw

The process of making this delicious and refreshing side is pretty simple:

1. Place chopped cabbage, parsley, green onion tops, and salt in a large bowl. Stir to combine. 
2. Add mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, brown mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, horseradish, and dill pickle relish to a medium bowl. Stir until well blended. 
3. Drizzle the dressing over top of the cabbage mixture, then toss to coat evenly. 

Houston’s coleslaw can be served immediately as a quick supplement to your meal. Still, many find it’s even tastier after the coleslaw is allowed to chill for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. 

Recipe tips

• While green cabbage is the most common and traditional version, feel free to mix it up with some red cabbage or even savoy or napa cabbage. 
• Those looking for a shortcut can grab a bag of pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix, available at many supermarkets. 
• Cooks who prefer to cut their own whole cabbage should first remove any wilted or ugly outer leaves, slice the cabbage into quarters, and core it. From there, it’s easy to chop, slice, or dice into your desired shape. 
• If you have time, salt the cabbage about an hour before preparing the coleslaw and place it in a colander over a bowl. This technique draws out excess moisture from the cabbage, keeping it from going soggy. 
• Make sure to fine-tune the seasoning before serving. This is especially important if you’ve allowed your Houston’s coleslaw to meld overnight.  

What to Serve Houston’s Coleslaw With

This cool, refreshing side is ultra-versatile, making it an excellent choice for everything from weeknight dinners to bustling summer cookouts. Naturally, coleslaw is right at home with barbecue like brisket, pork butt or shoulder, and smoked chicken, along with traditional grilled food like hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, and more.

Don’t forget fried foods, from chicken to seafood. Houston’s coleslaw even works great as a topping for burgers or hot dogs.

How long will Houston’s coleslaw last?

Houston’s coleslaw can be served fresh or after a short refrigeration to combine flavors. However, don’t make it too far in advance, as it’s best within two to three days. After this, the quality begins to deteriorate while the risk of foodborne illness also rises.

However, you can chop up the vegetables in advance, and they will stay fresh in your refrigerator in a sealed plastic bag for a couple of days.

It’s generally not recommended to freeze coleslaw with a dairy base like mayo, which can develop an unpleasant texture when thawed. Instead, those who need to keep some coleslaw in the freezer can try our freezer-safe coleslaw recipe. 

Storing Houston’s coleslaw

Houston’s coleslaw is easy to store. Simply place it in any sealable bag or airtight container and place it in the fridge. 

Can’t get enough coleslaw? Try these recipes!

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Houston’s Coleslaw

This take on Houston’s Coleslaw recipe is a delicious way to make a very gentle and fresh-tasting homemade coleslaw. This slaw enhances your main course and does not overpower it.