Red Slaw

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Quick Bite

Red slaw is Lexington-style barbecue slaw made with cabbage and a vinegar-ketchup barbecue dressing instead of mayonnaise. It is crunchy, tangy, peppery, and exactly what chopped pork wants sitting beside it.

History

Red slaw is one of the defining sides of Lexington-style barbecue. While creamy mayonnaise slaw is common across the South, red slaw belongs to North Carolina’s Piedmont barbecue tradition.

The dressing is built from the same flavor family as Lexington barbecue dip: vinegar, ketchup, sugar, salt, pepper, and heat. That gives the slaw its reddish color and sharp-sweet flavor. It cuts through smoky pork beautifully and adds crunch to a barbecue sandwich.

Red slaw is not meant to be fancy. It is chopped or shredded cabbage dressed simply and allowed to sit long enough for the flavors to blend. Some versions are finely chopped and juicy; others are crunchier and more cabbage-forward.

In Lexington, red slaw is not a random side option. It is part of the plate: pork, dip, hush puppies, and slaw all working together. Put it on a sandwich and it becomes both topping and sauce.

Fun Facts

• Red slaw gets its color from ketchup or tomato-based barbecue dip.
• It is the classic companion to Lexington-style barbecue.
• Unlike creamy slaw, red slaw has no mayonnaise.

Where to Try

Lexington Barbecue Lexington, North Carolina
A classic place to experience red slaw with pork shoulder barbecue and dip.

Stamey’s Barbecue Greensboro, North Carolina
A historic Lexington-style barbecue restaurant where red slaw belongs on the plate.

Speedy’s Barbecue Lexington, North Carolina
A Lexington-area barbecue stop known for chopped pork, dip, hush puppies, and classic sides.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Red Slaw Serves: 6 Prep: 15 minutes, plus chilling Cook: 0 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Lexington / North Carolina Barbecue Side

Ingredients

• 1 small head green cabbage, finely chopped
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce, optional

Instructions

1. Prep the cabbage: Place the chopped cabbage in a large bowl.
2. Make the dressing: Whisk together ketchup, vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce if using.
3. Dress the slaw: Pour the dressing over the cabbage.
4. Toss: Toss well to coat.
5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Serve: Stir before serving.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, chop the cabbage fine and use a vinegar-ketchup dressing similar to Lexington barbecue dip. Serve it with pork shoulder barbecue or pile it onto a barbecue sandwich.

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