German Cabbage Coleslaw With Ham (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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.
02 - Add the shredded smoked ham to the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to distribute evenly throughout.
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 completely combined.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the cabbage and ham mixture, then toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Let the coleslaw rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to properly meld and develop.
06 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley immediately before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It holds up beautifully for hours without wilting, making it perfect for potlucks or meal prep.
  • The smoky ham and tangy dressing give traditional coleslaw a hearty, satisfying upgrade that feels like a meal on its own.
02 -
  • Shred the cabbage as thin as possible so it stays crisp and absorbs the dressing evenly without turning mushy.
  • Letting the slaw sit for at least 10 minutes is non-negotiable, the flavors need time to blend and the cabbage needs time to soften just enough.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline to shred the cabbage paper-thin for the best texture and even coating of dressing.
  • Toast the caraway seeds lightly in a dry pan before adding them to the dressing for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
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