Give Coleslaw A Bold Flavor Overhaul With One Underrated Spice

One can become so mired in the big-picture preparation of coleslaw that it can be easy to lose sight of the tiny, mighty details. You probably already aim to use the freshest cabbage and grate it yourself for a satisfying coleslaw, for example. Most also know that any dressing should coat said veg, not soak it. Slightly more advanced coleslaw makers might even have a few additions to upgrade the basic blend for more flavor and crunch, like carrots and onions. But other than the compulsory salt and pepper, additional seasoning potential ends up left on the table. And it's a real missed opportunity when things like caraway seeds can add so much more tasty texture to a bowl of coleslaw.

Caraway seeds are rice-sized bits of aromatic, anise-adjacent flavor that you might be most familiar with from rye bread. They bring a warm, licorice note to everything they join, and powerfully enough that a few shakes go a long way. A teaspoon or two per cup of shredded cabbage should be plenty in your favorite coleslaw recipe. Just make sure that said recipe doesn't call for any ingredients that would not mesh well with the caraway so that it can truly shine. For instance, adding caraway with similar-tasting fennel and anise seeds could give your colesalw an overwhelming licorice, almost medicinal note. And, although you can also get caraway in powdered form, the seeds are the point in this case. Their subtle snap will only add to your coleslaw's crunch quotient.

A challenge when seasoning amalgams like coleslaw is getting everything to fully distribute. That goes for your standard salt and pepper as well. Wait until after your main mixing step and you're liable to end up with some bland patches. In coleslaw's case, it's best to add your seasonings, including the caraway seeds, to your dressing before tossing everything together for the most even reach.

The caraway seeds alone will go a long way toward improving your coleslaw, but a few more complementary elements can make it even better. Caraway seeds are lovely when balanced with an apple's tart sweetness, and apples are already a great coleslaw addition for better flavor and texture. Add them together and you're headed toward signature dish territory. Being that cabbage and Brussels sprouts are so closely related, caraway seeds are also great in coleslaws that use some or all of that latter botanical as their base. And, since you need so little from a larger jar, you can use the remaining caraway seeds for the obvious baking, pickling, or in our very own beer cheese pretzel dip recipe.