German Cabbage Coleslaw With Ham (Printable Version)

Smoky, tangy coleslaw with crisp cabbage, carrots, and smoked ham in classic German-style dressing. Ready in 20 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
02 - 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
03 - 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Meats

05 - 1 cup smoked ham, shredded

→ Dressing

06 - 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
07 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
08 - 1 tablespoon honey
09 - 1/3 cup sunflower oil or neutral oil
10 - 1 teaspoon caraway seeds, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, grated carrot, and thinly sliced red onion. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all vegetables.
02 - Add the shredded smoked ham to the vegetable mixture and toss well to ensure the ham is evenly distributed throughout the bowl.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, sunflower oil, caraway seeds if using, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well blended and emulsified.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the cabbage and ham mixture. Toss thoroughly and consistently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Allow the coleslaw to sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving. This resting period permits the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften slightly.
06 - Transfer the coleslaw to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately as a side dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It holds up beautifully at potlucks and picnics without getting soggy or sad.
  • The smoky ham adds protein and depth, turning a simple slaw into something substantial.
  • It tastes even better the next day once the flavors have really soaked in.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time, the cabbage needs those few minutes to absorb the dressing and soften just enough.
  • If your onion is too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for five minutes before adding them to the bowl.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline or the slicing blade on a food processor to shred the cabbage evenly and quickly.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it, it should be bold because the cabbage will mellow it out.
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