The Quick Additions That'll Brighten Up Store-Bought Coleslaw

You can be forgiven for turning to store-bought coleslaw mix as a shortcut to a tasty side dish. While we'll painstakingly study grilling hacks in preparation for the next holiday barbecue, few folks have the time or energy to dedicate into shredding cabbage and other veggies for bespoke coleslaw.

At the same time, there's no excuse for settling for what's in the bag. Chefs agree that simply dumping the bagged ingredients in a bowl and mixing them with store-bought dressing is one of the big mistakes involved in making coleslaw. Luckily, the key to doctoring that kit into something exciting is so easy!

Again, the time-saving prepared coleslaw veggies are not a problem. The trick to elevating store-bought bagged coleslaw and convincing friends and family that it's homemade is adding additional ingredients to amp up the flavor of the veg and ready-made dressing. The specific mix-ins in question are fresh from the produce department — we really like red cabbage, carrots, herbs, and a bright pop of citrus. These are not only relatively cheap, but easy to find and prepare.

A harmonious mix of flavors always leads to a better dish. To that end, consider freshening up your grocery store coleslaw kit with some slivered red cabbage, matchstick carrots, a chiffonade of herbs, and a twist of lemon or lime. The improvement here is manifold: not only will your coleslaw look prettier with the addition of vibrant colors, but the consistency and taste will improve as well. How often have you mixed the dressing packet with the coleslaw mix and ended up with a soggy, sad pile of disappointment? Adding bulk to the mix distributes the liquid dressing better, keeping the produce crunchier.

Use the paper towel trick for storing herbs prior to using them in your coleslaw, and you will guarantee they stay fresh for their debut in your side dish. Chives, thyme, mint, and/or cilantro all sing in coleslaw, but you can venture a bit further into big flavors with tarragon, rosemary, or dill if you dare. When adding cabbage, go for the colorful red variety. Not only does it look stunning in the bowl, but it adds a peppery earthiness that makes a great flavor contrast to all the sweetness from the dressing and the added carrot. As for the lemon or lime (or both!), you'll find the zippy pucker of citrus ties together your flavor profile nicely, putting the perfect finishing touch on your improved slaw.