Cool, creamy and just sweet enough, this Shoney’s classic is the kind of slaw that quietly steals the plate.
Photo by Mark
Copycat Shoney’s Cole Slaw
Shoney’s Cole Slaw is a classic Southern-style side featuring finely shredded cabbage in a smooth, slightly sweet, tangy dressing.
This one’s all about texture and balance. Fine shred, smooth dressing, and just enough sweetness to keep it from going sharp. Let it sit, and it gets even better.
Quick Recipe Overview
- Best For: Barbecue plates, sides, sandwiches, and classic comfort meals.
- Flavor Profile: Creamy, sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
- Skill Level: Easy.
- What Makes It Like the Restaurant: Fine shred and balanced dressing recreate the smooth, classic Shoney’s texture.
Shoney’s
Shoney’s has long been associated with classic American comfort food, particularly across the South and Midwest. Founded in 1947, the chain became known for its family-friendly atmosphere and buffet-style dining, where familiar sides played just as important a role as the main dishes.
Cole slaw was a staple on those buffets, offering a cool, refreshing contrast to heavier items. The style Shoney’s served leaned slightly sweet and very smooth, making it widely appealing and easy to pair with a range of foods.
The Slaw That Balanced the Plate
Southern-style cole slaw often differs from other regional versions by leaning slightly sweeter and creamier, with a finer texture. Instead of large chunks of cabbage, the vegetables are typically shredded very thin, allowing the dressing to coat evenly.
This creates a smoother, more cohesive side dish that complements fried and grilled foods. Over time, this style became a standard in many casual dining restaurants, where consistency and broad appeal are key.
Shoney's Cole Slaw Recipe
Cool, creamy and just sweet enough, this Shoney’s classic is the kind of slaw that quietly steals the plate.
Yield: 6
Ingredients
- 6 cups finely shredded Green Cabbage
- 1/2 cup finely shredded Carrots
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 1/4 cup Buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons White Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cabbage and carrots.
- In another bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sugar, milk, buttermilk, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and black pepper until smooth.
- Pour dressing over cabbage mixture.
- Toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Stir before serving.
- Serve chilled.
Related Copycat Recipes
- KFC Cole Slaw – Creamy, sweet-tangy slaw that cools down crispy fried chicken perfectly
- Big Boy Tartar Sauce – Classic diner-style tartar sauce with a smooth texture and sharp flavor
- Corky’s Southern Cole Slaw – A barbecue-house staple known for its cool crunch and smooth, tangy finish.
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Questions People Ask
Why is the cabbage shredded so finely?
A finer shred allows the dressing to coat more evenly and creates a smoother texture.
Is Shoney’s cole slaw sweet?
Yes. It has a mild sweetness balanced with a light tang.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after chilling as the flavors blend.
What does cole slaw pair best with?
It pairs well with barbecue, fried foods, and sandwiches.
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Photo of “Shoney’s Cole Slaw” is by Mark. Photo of “Shoney’s” is by Quinn Daedal and is used by permission under the Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en. Thank you, Quinn. Great Picture. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is original to Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Recipe created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes based on information from the restaurant and other sources on the internet – many courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
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