Fermented coleslaw recipe is easy as cabbage, carrots, and sea salt. Sometimes I will spice it up with garlic and dill. Directions for making fermented coleslaw consist of shredding raw cabbage, carrots, and adding sea salt to a jar or vessel. The fermentation time depends on your taste buds for the expected flavor and texture.
Fermenting will last a very long time in the fridge and there is no canning, cooking, or processing the foods. Besides, you are getting the added gut-health benefits that fermented food gives.
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Food That Can Be Fermented?
| Corn | Radishes | Cabbage |
| Onions | Lemons | Cauliflower |
| Jalapenos | Pickles | Carrots |
| Peppers | Turnips | Snap Beans |
If you would like to learn how to make Easy Fermented Pickles, one jar, no canning or processing needed, stop by the blog to see more!
Watch the Fermented Coleslaw Recipe Video Tutorial
Fermented Coleslaw Ingredients
- UV (preferable) 1/2 gallon or 2-quart jars
- 1 tablespoon sea salt or Himalaya Salt-but NOT ionized or canning salt
- 1 medium to large-sized cabbage that has been shredded
- 3-4 organic carrots shredded
- Add-ins are optional see list below
What Can You Add to Fermented Coleslaw?
- Fresh or dried dill
- Garlic cloves, organic
- Peppercorns
- Cumin seeds
Directions to Make Fermented Coleslaw
- Wash, core, and shred the cabbage
- Wash or don’t wash the carrots
- Peel or don’t peel the carrots, that is your choice
- Slice carrots thin or I like to shred them with the cabbage
- Add the shredded cabbage and carrots into a large bowl
- Sprinkle the sea salt and pound with a wooden rolling pin 3-5 minutes
- Cover with a tea towel and let sit for at least 30 minutes on the counter
- Let the coleslaw mixture breakdown and create a natural brine
Adding the Ingredients to a Glass Vessel
- Add layers of cabbage and carrots into the canning jar
- Pounding with the rolling pin in between layers
- Let the juices flow
- Do NOT add water or salted water brine
- Place a glass weight over the coleslaw
- Ensure the weight is completely covering the coleslaw
- Cover the jar with a silicone airlock and ring
- A plate or bowl may be necessary to catch the over-flow
- Ferment on the counter at least 10-21 days
- Check-in two weeks for taste
- Replace the silicone airlock with a leakproof canning jar lid
- Place in the refrigerator
- Consume within 6 months if possible
How Long Will Fermented Coleslaw Last?
Most fermented foods can last at least 6 months in the refrigerator. Remember, fermented foods are unified with live bacteria, the good kind! Therefore, they actually prevent spoilage.
If you opt to keep the fermented coleslaw on the counter, just note, they will not last anywhere as long if kept in the cold storage of the refrigerator.
Most important of all, keep all fermented foods submerged under a brine (juices from pounding the vegetables with the salt) solution to keep the bad bacteria out.
If you decide to keep the fermented foods on the counter, just realize they will become sourer and sourer because they will continue to ferment. Yes, they will be loaded, really loaded with Lacto-bacteria which is the best for the gut but I cannot eat them once they become too sour if left to ferment on the counter.
Should You Wash Vegetables Before Fermenting?
This is one of those questions that there is a split in opinion. On one hand, people will say, rather argue, that washing fruit and vegetables is necessary and can hinder the lactobacillus bacteria from doing “its job”. I disagree, I have never, ever had anything I fermented, not fermented because I pre-washed it with our veggie soap.
What Do Fermented Foods Taste Like?
If you are new to eating fermented foods, fermented carrots are a great introduction because they are not mushy, lasts a long time and you can control the spice or the sweetness of the fermentation.
If you add garlic and onions along with the salty brine, will be a mellow flavor. Adding fresh dill and a cinnamon stick gives it a more “wow” factor. Are you interested in just Fermented Carrots, check out the blog on that!
How to Eat Fermented Coleslaw?
- Mixed with a homemade salad dressing (see recipe below)
- Added to green salads
- Fruit salads with raisins and cottage cheese
- Stir-fry added at the last minute so as not to cook the coleslaw
- Not with other fermented foods if possible
Homemade Salad Dressing for Coleslaw
- 1 egg at room temperature (pasteurized or not)
- ½ tablespoon dried mustard (spice it up with moonshine horseradish mustard) **
- 1 tablespoon or less of white vinegar (apple cider is an option)
- A good sprinkle of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon or more of freshly squeezed lemon
- 1 cup of a good bonding oil, safflower, avocado or my favorite, grapeseed oil
- Pepper, white, red or black
Using a stick blender (my best choice). Add all ingredients with the oil last. Stir with a spatula then mix with 10 seconds in place, continue to mix making the sticker blender move up and down until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Place immediately in the fridge to chill and it will remain fresh for up to a week. Don’t keep past that time. Do not even try freezing this, why? Because it will be a mess and break. Yes, mayo can break.
How to Make a Spicy Fermented Coleslaw Recipe
I love adding some Moonshine Horseradish to my fermented coleslaw recipe, it gives it just the right kick. Would you like to try and make Moonshine Horseradish Mustard, I have a blog and a video to show you how!
How to dehydrate foods is a good place to start if you would like to dehydrate the horseradish mustard. Check that out blog out Dehydrate Food Naturally using a Dehydrator.
How to Use Dressing in Coleslaw
- Add fermented coleslaw to a bowl
- Mix in enough homemade mayo and still well
- Add salt, pepper, and paprika
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes for the ingredients to marry in the fridge
In Conclusion for a Fermented Coleslaw Recipe
I enjoy making anything fermented! Especially a good fermented coleslaw recipe! This is so easy to make and it depends whether I make it in the winter or in the summer, each has its own unique flavor.
If you would like to read more on 8 Fermented Foods to Boost Digestion, read more from Healthline.com.
Save those carrot tops! Interested what 11 Plants to Regrow from Cuttings, check out that blog!
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