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Home » Recipes » Sides

Aunt Mary’s Pepper Sauce Coleslaw

Stacey – April 30, 2019 – 33 Comments

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Pepper Sauce Cole Slaw in blue bowl

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You know, I just never know when and where inspiration for my next recipe is going to strike.  Often times, as with this one, they come from family or friends.  And those are ALWAYS my favorite.  Heather’s Great Aunt Mary (pronounced “ain’t may-re”) made this delicious dish at Easter here a few weeks back.

And being the die-hard-Clemson-loving, God-fearing, Southern woman that she is, she didn’t use a recipe – just stirred everything together right before lunch while everyone watched.

Now, I wasn’t fortunate enough to get to taste this first-hand, but as soon as Heather got in the car, she called to tell me I just had to share it with y’all.  After a few phone calls and with the contributions of a keen-eyed bystander, I think we’ve got the recipe pretty darn close.

Pepper Sauce Cole Slaw being Served

Now Aunt Mary says she always just shreds up a small head of cabbage, but she did use the bagged cole slaw mix this time because it makes it so much quicker and easier.  You’re welcome to use either, though I find the pre-bagged shredded stuff also makes for a more reliable and consistent finished dish.

And just in case the words “pepper sauce” have anyone confused… I’m talking about the “peppers in vinegar” stuff that many folks drizzle over their greens and peas.  Brands like Trappey’s (pictured above) or Texas Pete (pictured below) are the kinds of stuff you’re looking for.  We’re not talking hot sauce, like Tabasco, here.  The vinegar flavor is super important and the peppers just add a new dimension of flavor.  The recipe calls for mild as the heat can get a little out of control if you don’t watch it.  Just keep in mind you can make it as hot or mild as you want.  And yes, you can absolutely use homemade – if you have it.  Just, again, be mindful of the heat level.

Bottle of Pepper Sauce

Pepper Sauce Cole Slaw being Served
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4 from 1 vote

Recipe Card

Aunt Mary's Pepper Sauce Coleslaw

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 to 10
Author Stacey Little | Southern Bite

Ingredients

  • 2 (16-ounce) packages tri-color shredded coleslaw mix
  • 1/2 sweet onion, very thinly sliced
  • 1 tomato, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise (I prefer Duke's)
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons mild vinegar-based pepper sauce* (like Trappey's - also called peppers in vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, toss the coleslaw mix, onion, and tomato together.  
  • In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise and the pepper sauce together until smooth.  Start with 1 tablespoon of the pepper sauce and increase it based on you taste or the heat level of the sauce.  Add the salt and black pepper and mix well.  
  • Add the dressing to the vegetables and mix well. The coleslaw may seem a bit dry at this point. Allow to rest in the fridge for about 20 minutes. The flavors will develop and the dressing with marry with the juices from the cabbage and make even more dressing. Stir again before serving adjusting seasoning and adding additional pepper sauce or mayo if desired.   

Notes

*Be sure to see my note about pepper sauce in the blog post.  
Pepper Sauce Cole Slaw being Served
Did you make my Aunt Mary's Pepper Sauce Coleslaw?I'd love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @southernbite, and use the hashtag #southernbite!
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  1. Marie

    August 27, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    Just came across this recipe and am excited to try it. My husband loves cole slaw and Trappey’s so I am sure he will really like it. Your story made me laugh. I was raised in Mobile, AL, but married a great guy from Wyoming, so that is where we are at. ALL my family just can’t understand why I haven’t moved home! I had an uncle in Montgomery and he ALWAYS called me “May-ree”!! Use to drive me crazy when I was younger. Now I would give anything to hear him say my name again!!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      August 28, 2019 at 10:08 am

      Ha! You know us Southerners and our long vowels, Marie! I sure hope y’all will enjoy this!

      Reply
  2. Phyllis Walters

    May 28, 2019 at 9:35 pm

    Hi Stacey!! I’m a new follower as of tonight & I’m so excited! I received our Neighbors Magazine today in Alabama & they featured you & some of your peach recipes!! I’m definitely making the Peach Chess Pie with some Bluebell Vanilla Ice Cream!!! Looking forward to more of your delish recipes, like the coleslaw one I just saved!!!
    Three W Farms
    Phyllis Walters

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 28, 2019 at 10:04 pm

      Hi Phyllis! Welcome! I sure hope you’ll enjoy both the pie and coleslaw and will find tons more you enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Maggie

    May 3, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    Thanks Stacie. I found that Southern pepper-sauce recipe and will definitely give it a try. By the way, most of that last snowfall is disappearing quick, with all the sunshine we got today!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 4, 2019 at 2:43 pm

      Of course! Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Maggie

    May 2, 2019 at 1:16 pm

    Hi Stacey, from mid-north Ontario, Canada. We got a good 4 inches of fresh snow here … yesterday! I really enjoy your recipes and all the info: thank you. I plan on trying this delicious-sounding recipe, but I need to know how to make the vinegar-based pepper sauce myself, since I can’t find any up here. Can it be as simple as it seems – steeping some small peppers in white vinegar? Thanks again for a great site! Maggie

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 2, 2019 at 1:57 pm

      Wow! That’s crazy! I hope it will warm up for you soon! While I don’t have the exact recipe I use on my site, this one from my friend Robyn is very close: https://addapinch.com/southern-pepper-sauce-recipe/

      Reply
  5. Marylou

    May 2, 2019 at 9:04 am

    I like sweet peppers, think I may try it that way instead of tomato’s. After a while tomato’s make salads/slaw wilted looking to me so I only add on an as needed basis but peppers are another level !! I also am not crazy about mayo based slaw but this sounds really good. Thank you for all the delicious recipes!!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 2, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      The addition of some chopped sweet peppers would be amazing! Hope you’ll enjoy it, Marylou!

      Reply
  6. Christy

    May 1, 2019 at 10:15 am

    Stacey,
    I am wondering about the Duke’s mayo…I haven’t ever tried it, but have seen many recipes with it in it. How close would you say it is to Miracle Whip or actual Hellman’s mayo? I’m not sure if they have it here in the DFW area?
    Regards,
    Christy

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 2, 2019 at 1:51 pm

      Dukes is my absolute favorite. It’s a super savory mayo with a strong vinegar base. It’s probably closest Hellman’s or Sauer, if they have that in your area. It’s nothing like Miracle Whip, which is much sweeter.

      Reply
      • Connie Halliday

        May 12, 2019 at 10:11 am

        I order Duke’s from Amazon. I live in California and we don’t have it in our stores.

        Reply
        • Stacey

          May 13, 2019 at 11:17 am

          I would be doing the same thing! Gotta have my Dukes! 🙂

          Reply
          • Aileen

            April 14, 2022 at 4:15 pm

            You can get Duke’s in Texas. I love it. My favorite mayo.

          • Stacey

            April 15, 2022 at 11:47 am

            It’s the BEST!

    • Billie Vanderburg

      May 3, 2019 at 9:14 am

      I am a die hard Duke’s Mayo convert and it really is the best. I moved from East Texas to Tennessee 30+ years ago and never remember seeing it in Texas back then, but that has changed. My sister lives in the DFW area and she also buys Duke’s now, thanks to my raving on about it. I actually took an unopened quart withe when I went for a visit because when the families get together, we share the cooking. She was hooked after that. She told me last visit I didn’t have to bring my own Duke’s, she had already bought some there. So it is available st least somewhere around Colleyville.

      Reply
      • Stacey

        May 4, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        🙂

        Reply
    • Cynthia

      April 18, 2022 at 6:16 pm

      Dukes is not in So CA.

      Reply
  7. Laura

    May 1, 2019 at 5:41 am

    I am a resident of the northeast and been here all my life. I used to work as a church Secretary for an Episcopalian rector who was from Texas. He invited me over for dinner one New Year’s Day for black eyed peas…and that’s where I first saw those little peppers in a jar. He used the oil, or “sauce” on his food. Can’t wait to try your slaw recipe, it’s so different than the one I normally make!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 1, 2019 at 8:51 am

      I sure hope you’ll enjoy it!!

      Reply
  8. Marty Kreider

    April 30, 2019 at 3:20 pm

    When you refer to 1 to 3 tablespoons of “pepper sauce” do you mean just the liquid or do you include the peppers?
    You also say to mix with the mayonnaise until smooth, so if using the actual peppers how do you get them to be smooth? I would like to try this recipe but I need this part clarified.
    Thank you
    Marty

    Reply
    • Louise

      April 30, 2019 at 6:45 pm

      I am pretty sure he means just the liquid.

      Reply
      • Stacey

        May 1, 2019 at 8:50 am

        That’s right. 🙂

        Reply
    • Stacey

      May 1, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Yep, just the liquid – no peppers.

      Reply
  9. Louise

    April 30, 2019 at 2:44 pm

    Can’t wait to try this slaw. I am so happy that I found your site. We live in Georgia now, but moved here from Maryland in 2002. Live louise in a tiny little town and love it. Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your emails and recipes. I learn something new everyday. My husband and I both turned 87 this past week, and still learning.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 1, 2019 at 8:48 am

      You’re so sweet! Thank you so much!

      Reply

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Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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