Irresistible Bacon Caesar Slaw: Your New Favorite Cabbage Side Dish
Are you tired of the same old coleslaw routine? It’s time to shake things up with a fresh and exciting twist that will
delight your taste buds and impress your family and friends. Imagine the crispness of fresh cabbage elevated by the
creamy, zesty flavors of classic Caesar dressing, perfectly complemented by savory, smoky bacon. This isn’t just a
side dish; it’s a culinary revelation that combines familiar comfort with an unexpected gourmet touch. Get ready to
discover your new go-to recipe for potlucks, barbecues, or any meal where a vibrant, flavorful salad is desired.
For years, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect coleslaw recipe that breaks free from the conventional. My
dislike for traditional sweet-and-heavy-on-the-mayo cabbage salads stems from their often overpowering richness and
lack of dynamic flavor. I believe a great slaw should be vibrant, offer a delightful crunch, and provide a balanced
counterpoint to the main course, not just a sugary, creamy afterthought. This personal culinary mission has led me
to explore a variety of innovative cabbage salad ideas, each designed to bring something unique to the table.
My kitchen has become a testing ground for diverse slaw creations, moving far beyond the typical. We’ve enjoyed the
bold and spicy kick of Asian slaw, the refreshing zest
of cumin-lime slaw, and the sophisticated
texture of shaved cabbage
with creamy feta vinaigrette. Even broccoli has found its way into our slaw rotation with a fantastic feta-cranberry broccoli slaw.
Beyond these specific recipes, our versatile basic
vinaigrette often serves as a reliable foundation for countless other quick and healthy cabbage salads.
However, the search for that truly outstanding, crowd-pleasing, and effortlessly simple slaw continued.
Then came the moment of inspiration: combining our deep affection for classic Caesar Salad, made especially
delicious with a rich homemade Caesar
dressing, with the satisfying crunch of fresh cabbage. When I stumbled upon a Caesar slaw recipe concept, it
was an immediate “yes!” I knew I had to adapt it to fit our family’s preferences and my own culinary vision. The
result? An absolutely phenomenal dish that exceeded all expectations. My kids, who are usually reserved about
cabbage, were exclaiming how good it was, and I found myself thinking, “They’re actually raving about cabbage!” This
unanimous approval solidified its place as a new family favorite.
The best part about this Caesar Slaw with Bacon isn’t just its incredible flavor; it’s also incredibly simple to
prepare. This ease of preparation, coupled with its immense popularity, quickly made it a regular feature on our
dinner menus. While Caesar salad purists might raise an eyebrow, I firmly believe that the addition of crispy,
salty bacon truly seals the deal. It introduces a depth of savory flavor and a delightful textural contrast that
transforms an already great salad into something truly extraordinary. The bacon isn’t merely an ingredient; it’s
the game-changer that makes this Caesar slaw an unforgettable experience.
Expert Tips for Preparing Perfect Caesar Slaw
Achieving the ideal texture for your cabbage is crucial for a great slaw. While there might not be a single
“correct” way to chop cabbage, years of experimenting with different methods taught me that the cut significantly
impacts the final dish. My goal was always to produce shreds that were small enough for easy eating but robust
enough to maintain a satisfying crunch and avoid becoming a “pile of mush.” This careful shredding technique ensures
that the dressing can evenly coat each piece, maximizing flavor distribution and resulting in a beautiful, appetizing
salad. While some food processors can do an admirable job, hand-slicing allows for greater control over the texture,
which is particularly important for this Caesar slaw. For those who enjoy an even finer texture, a mandoline can also
create elegant “shaved” cabbage, offering a slightly different, yet equally delightful, salad experience.
Here’s my preferred method for hand-slicing cabbage to achieve those perfect shreds for your slaws:
-
Quarter and Core the Cabbage: Begin by slicing the head of cabbage into quarters. This makes
it much easier to handle. Then, carefully remove the tough core from each quarter. The core can be bitter and
fibrous, so removing it ensures a more pleasant eating experience. -
Slice Lengthwise for Uniformity: This step was the absolute key for me, a revelation after
years of less satisfactory results. Instead of cutting the quarters width-wise from the pointy end, slice each
quarter lengthwise. This method helps to thinly slice the thicker ribs of the cabbage, preventing large,
unchewable pieces in your salad. It results in more uniform, delicate shreds that are easier to eat and integrate
better with the dressing. -
Cross-Slice for Manageable Pieces: Once you have your lengthwise slices, gather the pile and
turn it. Then, slice it again in half or thirds, depending on the size of your cabbage quarters and your
desired shred length. This final cross-slicing step ensures all the cabbage pieces are perfectly manageable
for eating, creating an enjoyable texture throughout the slaw.
This effortlessly delicious, incredibly easy, and surprisingly inexpensive salad is a fantastic accompaniment to an
array of main dishes. Its robust flavors and satisfying crunch make it an incredibly versatile side. Picture it
alongside succulent grilled sausages or tender roasted chicken, enhancing the meal with its fresh, zesty notes. It
pairs beautifully with any type of chicken, from a simple pan-seared breast to a flavorful rotisserie bird. Baked
fish, pork chops, or even a hearty vegetarian main course would find a perfect match in this Caesar slaw. The list
truly goes on because, as we’ve discovered time and again, apparently quite a few things are simply better with the
irresistible addition of bacon.
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Bacon Caesar Slaw
bacon- it’s a delicious change and makes a perfect side dish everyone will love!
Time15 minutes
Time15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 head green cabbage shredded*
- 1/2 head red cabbage shredded*
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 carrots shredded (and/or 1
red bell pepper, chopped) - 6 slices bacon cooked crisp and
crumbled - 1/3 cup homemade Caesar salad dressing or your
favorite
Instructions
-
Combine the cabbage,
onion, carrot (or pepper), and bacon in a large salad bowl. -
Pour dressing over all
and mix well. -
Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
@anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
NOTE: This incredibly popular recipe (originally adapted from here) was first shared on An Oregon Cottage in 2009. It has since been
given a complete refresh with brand new photos, updated formatting, and a convenient printable recipe card to
ensure you have the best possible cooking experience.
Discover More Family-Favorite Slaw Recipes:
If you’re as enthusiastic about inventive and delicious slaw recipes as we are, you’ll love exploring these other
tried-and-true family favorites. Each offers a unique flavor profile and a refreshing take on the classic cabbage
salad, proving that slaw can be anything but boring!
Spicy Cumin-Lime
Slaw: This vibrant slaw offers a lively kick of cumin and a bright, citrusy tang from fresh lime, making it
a perfect partner for tacos, grilled meats, or any dish that benefits from a burst of fresh flavor. Its light and
zesty dressing is a welcome alternative to heavy, creamy slaws.
Cabbage Salad with
Creamy Feta Vinaigrette and Spiced Pecans: For a more sophisticated yet equally simple option, this shaved
cabbage salad features a delightful creamy feta vinaigrette. The addition of spiced pecans adds an exquisite crunch
and depth of flavor, transforming a humble cabbage salad into an elegant dish suitable for any gathering.
Cranberry
Walnut-Feta Broccoli Slaw: If you’re looking to incorporate more greens in a delicious way, this broccoli
slaw is a fantastic choice. Bursting with the sweetness of dried cranberries, the crunch of walnuts, and the salty
tang of feta, it’s a refreshing and nutrient-packed side that’s surprisingly addictive. It’s a colorful and
texture-rich addition to any meal.