Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Marita Sinden · 1 Comment

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German coleslaw is a delicious side dish that goes with various grilled meats and sausages. The marinade makes this sweet and sour German cabbage salad a culinary highlight. White or green cabbage, onions, vinegar and oil dressing and a hint of caraway seeds make this salad a winner for any season.

Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (1)

What is German Coleslaw?

German coleslaw is a simple cabbage salad. It differs from British or American coleslaw as it is made without mayo and does not contain carrots.

Coleslaw in German is known as "Krautsalat". There are two terms for Cabbage in German "Kohl" (for example Rotkohl) and "Kraut". So "Krautsalat" literally translated Cabbage Salad in German.

There are different ways of making Krautsalat in Germany. You mainly differentiate between warm German coleslaw and cold German coleslaw.

In the warm version, the cabbage gets blanched with hot water. This recipe is for the cold version, where we eat the cabbage raw.

How to make authentic German Coleslaw

Ingredients

  • cabbage- white or green cabbage works with this recipe. In Germany, white cabbage is more often used.
  • white onions
  • white vinegar - the vinegar which work best are white wine vinegar, cider vinegar or herb-infused vinegar.
  • vegetable oil- use a neutral oil such as sunflower oil or rapeseed oil
  • salt
  • sugar
  • caraway seeds- this is optional. You can use whole caraway seeds or, if you like the flavour without the crunch, you can use ground caraway seeds.

Krautsalat Recipe- Step by Step

Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (2)
  1. Wash the cabbage and remove the outer leaves. Quarter through the stem and remove the dense core with a sharp knife and discard.
  2. Finely slice the cabbage into thin shreds. Alternatively, you can use a mandolin or a food processor to shred the cabbage. Place into a large bowl.
Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (3)
  1. Now sprinkle the salt over the cabbage. With your hands kneed the salt into the cabbage for approximately 5 minutes. Then leave to rest for at least 20 minutes. (This process is necessary to draw out the excess water from the cabbage. Otherwise, your coleslaw might end up soggy).
  2. In the meantime, finely cube the onions.
Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (4)
  1. Heat up 2 teaspoon of oil in a frying pan and fry the onions until they begin to brown. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
  2. For the German coleslaw dressing thoroughly mix the vinegar, oil, pepper, caraway seeds and sugar in a jug. Then add the cooled down onions.
  3. Strain the cabbage in a colander to remove any excess water. Add into a salad bowl and pour over the dressing. Mix well and then leave to rest for approximately 2 hours.
  4. Before serving adjust the seasoning to taste. You can always add more salt or pepper.

Recipe Variations

German coleslaw with bacon

This recipe is very popular in Bavaria. Add about 100 g of smoked bacon to the pan and fry until crispy with the onions. This adds a lovely meaty flavour to the salad.

Replace the white cabbage slaw with red cabbage

You can just replace the white or green cabbage with red cabbage. To intensify the sweet and sour taste, I would use brown sugar instead of white. Also chopping in some apples will give this red cabbage coleslaw a crunchy note.

Serve the Krautsalat warm

If you prefer to serve the German slaw warm, then blanch the cabbage leaves with some hot water. After the onions are fried, place the sliced cabbage leaves, in the pan. When ready to serve slightly warm up the cabbage and then pour over the vinaigrette.

Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (5)

How to serve Krautsalat

I love my German slaw at room temperature. This means, I prepare it but do not place it in the fridge again. You can also serve it cold, but this is up to personal taste.

Serve the coleslaw with

  • roast meats - such as Bavarian Pork Roast, Sauerbraten or German Meatloaf
  • Grilled sausages and meats - such as Bratwurst, Nürenberger Würstchen, Schwenkbraten or Grillfackeln.
  • With sandwiches - this is a popular side dish for Brotzeit or Abendbrot as a refreshing side to some German Rye bread.
Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (6)

Storage Instructions

German-style coleslaw contains no mayo. This does not only have the advantage that it is healthier but also keeps for longer. The salad should be kept in the fridge and will keep for up to 5 days.

You will recognize gone off Krautsalad at the smell, and bitter taste.

FAQ

What is German style coleslaw?

German coleslaw is known as "Krautsalat". It is a simple light salad made from shredded white or green cabbage that is served with a sweet and sour vinegar dressing.

How do you make German coleslaw dressing?

The dressing consists of vinegar, oil and sugar. This gives it the famous sweet and sour flavour. Optionally you can add some caraway seeds to your dressing.

Is Coleslaw German?

Coleslaw has its origins all the way back in Roman Times, when a dish made of cabbage, vinegar and oil was very popular. The term coleslaw was derrives from the Dutch term for cabbage salad "koosla". The German have their own version of cabbage salad called Krautsalat.

More German Salad Recipes

  • Simple Swabian Potato Salad (Schwäbischer Kartoffelsalat)
  • Easy German Egg Salad with Pickles and Apple (Eiersalat)
  • Best German Pasta Salad (Nudelsalat)
  • Traditional German Carrot Salad (Karottensalat)

Recipe

Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (11)

Traditional German Coleslaw (Krautsalat)

Marita

Try this German coleslaw- a light cabbage salad made without mayonnaise (affiliate link).

4.50 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine German

Servings 6 people

Calories 128 kcal

Ingredients

  • 800 g cabbage (1 ¾ lb) white or green cabbage
  • 200 g onions (7 oz) white
  • 50 ml white vinegar (1.6 fl oz) use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 50 ml vegetable oil (1.6 fl oz) use a neutral oil such as sunflower oil or rapeseed oil
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground caraway seeds (optional) you can also use whole caraway seeds. Or omit them if you do not like the taste

Instructions

  • Wash the cabbage and remove the outer leaves. Quarter through the stem and remove the dense core with a sharp knife and discard.

  • Finely slice the cabbage into thin shreds. Alternatively you can use a mandolin or a food processor to shred the cabbage. Place into a large bowl.

  • Now sprinkle the salt over the cabbage. With your hands kneed the salt into the cabbage for approximately 5 minutes. Then leave to rest for at least 20 minutes. (This process is necessary to draw out the excess water from the cabbage. Otherwise, your coleslaw might end up soggy).

  • In the meantime, finely cube the onions.

  • Heat up 2 teaspoon of oil in a frying pan and fry the onions until they begin to brown. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

  • Mix together the vinegar, oil, pepper, carraway seeds and sugar in a jug. Mix well. Then add the cooled down onions.

  • Strain the cabbage in a colander to remove any excess water. Place in a salad bowl and pour over the dressing. Mix well and then leave to rest for approximately 2 hours.

  • Before serving adjust the seasoning to taste. You can always add more salt or pepper. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

I recommend checking the step by step instruction pictures in the main post.

Storage Instructions

German-style coleslaw contains no mayo. This does not only have the advantage that it is healthier but also keeps for longer. The salad should be kept in the fridge and will keep for up to 5 days.

You will recognize gone off Krautsalad at the smell, and bitter taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 812mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg

Keyword German cabbage salad, German coleslaw, Krautsalat

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More German Salads

  • Creamy German Cucumber and Radish Salad
  • German Wurstsalat (Bavarian Sausage Salad)
  • Authentic Fleischsalat Recipe (German Meat Salad)
  • Creamy German Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Petra

    Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (16)
    Thanks for the recipe, the salad looks prima and easy to make! I will try it as a side dish for our weekend lunch.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Authentic German Coleslaw (Krautsalat) (2024)

FAQs

What is coleslaw called in German? ›

Many coleslaw recipes contain cabbage, carrots and mayonnaise, but German coleslaw is slightly different. German coleslaw—sometimes called “German cabbage salad” or krautsalat—features cabbage tossed in a sweet-tangy dressing.

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

Or coleslaws — what's the difference? Really nothing. Technically, coleslaw involves cabbage, whether green, red or napa, while the category of slaws can include all kinds of chopped or shredded crunchy vegetables. The two words are used interchangeably for the most part however.

How do you make coleslaw not soggy? ›

Salting the cabbage, carrot, and onion purges excess moisture that would otherwise turn the slaw into a soupy mess. Including sugar (another osmosis-inducing ingredient) balances the flavor. Limiting the purge to five minutes keeps the cabbage crunchy.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

What is sauerkraut called in Germany? ›

Sauerkraut is the German language equivalent of “sour cabbage.” In reality though, it can mean different things to different people. To busy home chefs, sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, is a fast, easy way to liven up their families' favorite meals.

What is the German slang for cool? ›

German Slang #4: Geil

Meaning: “Cool.” Used to refer to something “cool” in German slang,“geil” is one of the most versatile and widely used slang words in Germany. Use “geil” in conversations when you want to describe something really awesome or impressive!

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

Is sauerkraut better than coleslaw? ›

However, unlike cabbage, sauerkraut can be high in sodium. Keep this in mind if you're watching your salt intake. Sauerkraut is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Its probiotics also help your body absorb these nutrients more easily, which is what makes sauerkraut more nutritious than raw cabbage or coleslaw.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

What can I add to store bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

Why soak cabbage in salt water? ›

The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt. Drain and dry the cabbage with paper towels, gently pressing to release excess water. Repeat with more paper towels as the water is absorbed.

What makes coleslaw go bad? ›

Even if the coleslaw was stored in the refrigerator prior to serving, it could quickly dip into what food safety rules call the "Danger Zone" after being set out. The danger zone is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit; this is the range of temperatures where bacteria thrive.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

If you're in the mood for something creamy, sweet, and tangy, coleslaw is an excellent option. Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing.

Why did Chick Fil A stop selling coleslaw? ›

"But as our sales volumes grew, it just wasn't feasible to keep adding to the menu without taking anything away." Chick-fil-A cut cole slaw from the menu in January to make room for a new "superfood" side of kale and broccolini in a maple vinaigrette dressing.

What ethnicity is coleslaw? ›

The dish was initially created in the Netherlands. In fact, the term coleslaw originates from the Dutch expression koosla, which means “cabbage salad.” Recipes similar to coleslaw have been found and used in American homes from as early as 1770.

What is labskaus in Germany? ›

Labskaus (German: [ˈlapskaʊ̯s]) is a culinary speciality from northern Germany and in particular from the cities of Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck. The main ingredients are salted meat or corned beef, potatoes, and onion.

What is Apfelschorle in German? ›

1. Submitted by BecR2400. "Apfelschorle is a simple, refreshing beverage made of equal parts apple juice and carbonated mineral water.

What is Spargelzeit in Germany? ›

Asparagus is “spargel” in German and the season is called “Spargelzeit”. White asparagus season in Germany is typically from around mid-April through to 24 June when the country celebrates the nativity of St. John the Baptist.

What is Spatzle in Germany? ›

Spätzle is a type of pasta or dumpling or noodles. Spätzle dough typically consists of few ingredients, principally eggs, flour, and salt. The Swabian rule of thumb is to use a number of eggs equal to the number of servings, plus one. Water is often added to produce a runnier dough.

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