When it comes to popular fast food chains, Long John Silver’s holds a special place in the hearts of many seafood lovers. While their fish and chips may steal the spotlight, their coleslaw is a delightful side dish that perfectly complements their seafood offerings.
In this blog post, we will explore the well-loved Long John Silver’s coleslaw recipe, detailing the ingredients, step-by-step directions, storage tips, nutrition information, and even suggest possible substitutes and serving suggestions.
Get ready to recreate the magic of this classic coleslaw right in the comfort of your own kitchen!
What is Long John Silver’s Coleslaw?
Long John Silver’s, formerly known as Long John Silver’s Seafood Shoppes and sometimes abbreviated as LJS, is an American chain of fast-food restaurants that specializes in seafood. One of its most popular items is Long John Silver’s coleslaw.
It is a mouthwatering combination of tangy, creamy, and slightly sweet flavors. The recipe uses a blend of ingredients such as shredded cabbage, julienne-cut carrots, finely diced onions, green and red bell peppers, and a dressing made with creamy mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and black pepper. This simple yet effective combination of ingredients creates a coleslaw that is both refreshing and appetizing.
Why You’ll Love This Long John Silver’s Coleslaw Recipe:
1. Authenticity: By making this coleslaw at home, you can enjoy the true taste of Long John Silver’s without leaving your house.
2. Fresh Ingredients: The use of fresh vegetables, like cabbage and carrots, ensures a crisp and vibrant coleslaw.
3. Versatility: This coleslaw can be served as a side dish with a variety of meals, such as grilled seafood, sandwiches, or even as a topping for fish tacos.
4. Homemade Delight: Preparing your own coleslaw allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize it to suit your taste preferences.
The Ingredients You Will Need to Make Long John Silver’s Coleslaw Recipe:
- Carrot: Adds a crunchy texture and sweet flavor to the coleslaw, providing a contrast to the softness of the cabbage.
- Onion: Imparts a pungent and savory taste to the coleslaw, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
- Shredded cabbage: Forms the base of the coleslaw, contributing a crisp and fresh texture. Cabbage is a classic ingredient in coleslaw recipes.
- Sugar: Balances the savory and tangy elements in the coleslaw, providing a touch of sweetness to the overall taste.
- Mayonnaise: Creates a rich and smooth dressing that binds the coleslaw ingredients together. It adds a creamy texture and enhances the overall mouthfeel.
- Green bell pepper: Offers a mild sweetness and a subtle crunch to the coleslaw, complementing the other vegetables.
- Red bell pepper: Adds vibrant color and a slightly sweet taste, contributing to the visual appeal and flavor complexity of the coleslaw.
- White vinegar: Provides acidity to balance the sweetness of the sugar and creaminess of the mayonnaise, creating a well-rounded and flavorful dressing.
- Celery seeds: Infuse a distinct celery flavor into the coleslaw, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste.
- Salt and black pepper: Season the coleslaw, enhancing the flavors of the vegetables and the dressing. They help to bring out the natural tastes of the ingredients.
Directions:
Step 1 – Prepare Vegetables:
- Julienne-cut the carrots into thin, matchstick-like strips.
- Finely dice the onion to add a savory kick to the coleslaw.
- Shred the cabbage finely to create a delicate texture.
- Finely dice both green and red bell peppers for a colorful and flavorful mix.
Step 2 – Mix Vegetables:
- In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine the julienne-cut carrots, diced onions, finely shredded cabbage, and the diced green and red bell peppers.
Step 3 – Prepare Dressing:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sweet granulated sugar, creamy mayonnaise, crisp white vinegar, aromatic celery seeds, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined.
Step 4 – Combine Dressing with Vegetables:
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vibrant assortment of vegetables in the large mixing bowl.
Step 5 – Toss and Coat:
- Gently toss the vegetables with the dressing until every piece is evenly coated. Make sure the dressing reaches all parts of the coleslaw for a harmonious blend of flavors.
Step 6 – Chill the Coleslaw:
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a fitting lid, then refrigerate the coleslaw for a minimum of 1-2 hours. This refrigeration time allows the flavors to meld and the coleslaw to become refreshingly chilled.
Step 7 – Serve:
- Once adequately chilled, give the coleslaw a final gentle toss before serving to ensure the vegetables are still crisp and coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Optionally, garnish with additional celery seeds or a sprinkle of black pepper for an extra burst of flavor.
Step 8 – Enjoy:
- Serve the Long John Silver’s coleslaw as a refreshing side dish that perfectly complements your meal. The combination of crunchy vegetables and the tangy-sweet dressing is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Notes:
– Consider using a mandoline slicer for quick and uniform cabbage shredding.
– Experiment with different types of cabbage, such as green, red, or Napa, for variations in flavor and texture.
– For a lighter version, you can use a reduced-fat or light mayonnaise.
– Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar, depending on your preference.
– For a more pronounced crunch, you can add some crushed crispy onion strings as a garnish.
Storage Tips:
If you have any leftovers, store the coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving again, give it a good mix to redistribute the dressing.
Nutrition Information:
Coleslaw is generally a low-calorie dish, packed with healthy vegetables. The nutritional content may vary depending on the specific ingredients and serving size. Here is a rough estimate per serving (based on approximately 1 cup of coleslaw):
– Calories: 155
– Fat: 15g
– Carbohydrates: 10g
– Fiber: 2g
– Protein: 1g
Serving Suggestions:
1. Pair with Grilled Seafood: Serve this coleslaw as a side dish with grilled fish, shrimp, or scallops for a refreshing contrast to the smoky flavors.
2. Toppings for Fish Tacos: Add a generous helping of coleslaw to your favorite fish tacos for a delightful crunch and flavor burst.
3. Sandwich Filling: Use it as a delicious filling for sandwiches, wraps, or pitas. It pairs exceptionally well with pulled pork or grilled chicken.
4. BBQ Companion: Bring this coleslaw to your next backyard barbecue, as it complements perfectly with grilled meats and sausages.
5. Potluck Essential: Prepare a big batch of coleslaw for potlucks and gatherings, as it offers a refreshing and versatile option for guests.
What Other Substitute Can I Use in Long John Silver’s Coleslaw Recipe?
1. Greek Yogurt: For a healthier twist, you can substitute some or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. This lends a tangy flavor while reducing the overall fat content.
2. Sour Cream: If you prefer a creamier and slightly tangier coleslaw, you can replace a portion of the mayonnaise with sour cream.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar: Swap white vinegar with apple cider vinegar to introduce a subtle fruity note to your coleslaw.
4. Honey: To achieve a sweeter profile, you can use honey instead of granulated sugar. Adjust the quantity based on your desired level of sweetness.
5. Dijon Mustard: Incorporate some Dijon mustard into the dressing for an extra depth of flavor and a touch of spiciness.
Long John Silver’s Coleslaw Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup julienne-cut carrot
- 1/2 cup onion finely diced
- 8 cups finely shredded cabbage
- 2 tbsp sweet granulated sugar
- 1 cup creamy mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper finely diced
- 4 tbsp crisp white vinegar
- 2 tsp aromatic celery seeds
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
STEP 1 – Prepare Vegetables:
- Julienne-cut the carrots and finely dice the onion.
- Shred the cabbage finely, and finely dice both green and red bell peppers.
STEP 2 – Mix Vegetables:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the julienne-cut carrots, diced onions, finely shredded cabbage, diced green bell pepper, and diced red bell pepper.
STEP 3 – Prepare Dressing:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweet granulated sugar, creamy mayonnaise, crisp white vinegar, aromatic celery seeds, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
STEP 4 – Combine Dressing with Vegetables:
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables in the large mixing bowl.
STEP 5 – Toss and Coat:
- Gently toss the vegetables with the dressing until they are evenly coated. Ensure that the dressing reaches all parts of the coleslaw.
STEP 6 – Chill the Coleslaw:
- Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 1-2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the coleslaw to become chilled.
STEP 7 – Serve:
- Once chilled, give the coleslaw a final gentle toss before serving.
- Optionally, garnish with additional celery seeds or a sprinkle of black pepper.
STEP 8 – Enjoy:
- Serve the Long John Silver’s coleslaw as a refreshing side dish to complement your meal.
Notes
- – Consider using a mandoline slicer for quick and uniform cabbage shredding.
- – Experiment with different types of cabbage, such as green, red, or Napa, for variations in flavor and texture.
- – For a lighter version, you can use a reduced-fat or light mayonnaise.
- – Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar, depending on your preference.
- – For a more pronounced crunch, you can add some crushed crispy onion strings as a garnish.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I make this coleslaw ahead of time?
Yes, this coleslaw can be prepared a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. Can I add mayonnaise to the dressing gradually?
Yes, you can add the mayonnaise gradually, whisking it into the other dressing ingredients a little at a time until fully incorporated.
3. How can I adjust the creaminess of the coleslaw?
If you prefer a creamier coleslaw, increase the amount of mayonnaise used. Similarly, if you prefer a lighter coleslaw, reduce the mayonnaise quantity.
4. Can I skip the bell peppers?
Absolutely! While the bell peppers contribute to the crunch and flavor of the coleslaw, you can omit them if you prefer or substitute them with other ingredients like pickles or shredded apple.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Certainly! If you need a larger quantity of coleslaw, simply double the ingredients accordingly. Ensure you have a large enough mixing bowl to accommodate the increased volume.
6. Can I substitute other vegetables in this recipe?
While the carrots and cabbage are essential components of this coleslaw, you can experiment with other vegetables like grated zucchini, radishes, or even broccoli slaw to add more variety to the dish.
Conclusion:
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a classic coleslaw alongside your seafood favorites, and Long John Silver’s coleslaw recipe delivers just that. With this detailed guide, you now have the knowledge and techniques to recreate this iconic side dish in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a taste of nostalgia, this coleslaw will impress your taste buds and elevate any meal.
So, roll up your sleeves, gather the ingredients, and get ready to savor the refreshing flavors of Long John Silver’s coleslaw at home!
