Keeping New Orleans Coleslaw

Our answer

For home-made coleslaw the keeping time is dictated by two things. One is how long the ingredients can be safely stored in the fridge and the other is how quickly the texture of the salad changes. The salad should always be stored in the fridge in an airtight container, or sealed tightly in a bowl.

In terms of keeping the salad safely it should keep in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, providing that you have used pasteurized store-bought mayonnaise and all of the ingredients have their use by dates running after the 5th day. If you have used home-made mayonnaise then bear in mind that this should be consumed within 2 days of making. And don't eat the salad if it starts to smell fermented.

In terms of eating quality, most people would say that it is best on the day that it is made as beyond that the vegetables will start to soften and can let out some water which will thin the dressing. The pecan nuts will also start to turn soft after a day or so. But this is more an issue of personal preference.