Montreal Hot Dog Coleslaw: Classic Steamie Topping

Montreal hot dog coleslaw is finely shredded, lightly sweet, vinegary and much drier than a creamy picnic slaw. It is meant to sit on a steamed hot dog with mustard and chopped onion without soaking the bun, so the cabbage is cut very fine and the dressing is used sparingly.

This recipe is more specific than my traditional Quebec cabbage salad. That salad works as a side dish. This version is chopped finer, drained before serving and balanced specifically for a Montreal steamie or all-dressed hot dog.

What makes hot dog slaw different

The biggest difference is texture. A forkful of side-dish coleslaw can be chunky and juicy. Hot dog slaw needs to fit into a narrow bun, so the cabbage should be shredded very thinly and then chopped crosswise into shorter pieces.

The dressing is also lighter. Too much mayonnaise or liquid makes the bun soggy almost immediately. I use vinegar, a little sugar, a touch of oil and mustard, with celery seed for a classic deli note.

Resting time matters. The cabbage softens slightly after thirty minutes, but it should still have crunch. After resting, drain off any liquid before topping the hot dogs.

Ingredients You Need

Use green cabbage as the main vegetable. A small amount of carrot adds colour and sweetness. Finely minced onion is optional because Montreal hot dogs are often topped with chopped onion separately.

The dressing uses white vinegar or cider vinegar, sugar, neutral oil, yellow mustard, celery seed, salt and pepper. White vinegar gives the sharpest diner-style flavour, while cider vinegar is a little rounder.

For another Quebec-style condiment, my pickled red onions are useful on burgers and sandwiches but are more acidic and not a substitute for this slaw.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Shred the cabbage very fine

Slice the cabbage into thin ribbons, then turn the pile and chop across it so the strands are short. A mandoline can help, but use the guard and stop before the core.

Grate the carrot on the fine side of a box grater. If using onion, mince it very finely.

Salt lightly and rest

Toss the cabbage with about half the salt and let it sit ten minutes. This pulls a small amount of water out and begins softening the raw texture.

Do not salt it heavily or leave it for an hour. You are not making sauerkraut. After ten minutes, squeeze very gently if the cabbage is visibly wet.

Mix the dressing

Whisk vinegar, sugar, oil, yellow mustard, celery seed, remaining salt and pepper until the sugar dissolves.

Taste the dressing before adding it. It should seem slightly sharper than the finished slaw because the cabbage softens the acidity.

Toss and chill

Add the dressing to the cabbage and carrot a little at a time. Toss well. You may not need every drop if the cabbage is very moist.

Refrigerate thirty minutes, toss again and drain any liquid from the bottom of the bowl.

How I serve it on a Montreal hot dog

Steam the bun and hot dog, add yellow mustard, then a line of this slaw. Chopped raw onion can go on top or under the cabbage.

The slaw should add crunch and acidity without becoming the entire sandwich. About two tablespoons per hot dog is plenty.

It also works beside homemade poutine, homemade corn dogs or a Montreal club sandwich as part of a Quebec comfort-food spread.

Substitutions

Red cabbage can replace up to one-quarter of the green cabbage, but it bleeds colour into the dressing and gives a firmer texture.

Cider vinegar can replace white vinegar one for one. Rice vinegar is milder and may need slightly less sugar.

If you want creamy coleslaw, use my KFC-style creamy coleslaw instead. I would not simply add a large amount of mayonnaise here because it changes the point of the hot dog topping.

FAQ

Can I make it a day ahead?

Yes. It is very good after a few hours and still works the next day. Drain again before serving because more liquid comes out overnight.

Should I rinse the cabbage after salting?

No. The salt amount is small. Rinsing adds water and works against the dry topping texture.

Can I use bagged coleslaw mix?

Yes, but chop it much finer before dressing. Large commercial shreds are awkward on a hot dog.

Suggested Posts

For a full Montreal-style meal, pair it with Montreal smoked meat poutine, Quebec Reuben sandwich or homemade French fries. For another crunchy salad, try cabbage and carrot salad with creamy dressing or the easy salad recipe collection.