Base Slaw
• 1 medium head green cabbage, finely shredded
• 1 small carrot, grated (optional — some families skip it)
Red Dressing
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional but traditional)
• ½ tsp celery seed (optional but excellent)
Whisk the vinegar, ketchup, sugar, salt, pepper, and optional spices until the sugar dissolves.
Pour over the shredded cabbage and toss thoroughly.
Let it sit at least 1 hour — overnight is even better.
Taste and adjust: more vinegar for tang, more sugar for balance, more ketchup for color.