Yahoo Lifestyle The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find So Delicious I Buy 3 at a Time
It's great on everything from coleslaw and roasted veggies to popcorn.
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As a food writer, I'm always looking in unexpected places for unique and interesting finds. Last summer, I picked up a pack of Fresh Success coleslaw seasoning from Dollar Tree. I wasn't expecting to like it that much. I make slaw from scratch at least once a week—sometimes with a briny base, sometimes with a peanut dressing, and sometimes with a Mexican influence.
There's no shortage of ways to make good slaw, so a packaged seasoning didn't seem that appealing, but in the name of research, I decided to give it a try. And I'm glad that I did. It's become one of my newest favorite finds. Not only does it make even quicker work of a simple slaw, but I also find myself using it far beyond the humble cabbage salad. At $1.25, I buy three packets at a time because running out is simply not an option.
Simply Recipes / Dollar Tree
Fresh Success Coleslaw Seasoning
Price: $1.25 for a 1.87-ounce packet
Why I Love It: It makes delicious coleslaw, but the blend of buttermilk powder, celery seed, and dehydrated vegetables adds great flavor to everything from roasted vegetables to popcorn.
Why I Love This Coleslaw Seasoning
If you like a traditional mayonnaise-based coleslaw, this is the seasoning for you. No tweaks needed! With just a handful of ingredients, it's an interesting balance of sweet and savory flavors. It also doesn't contain any artificial ingredients—something that's harder (but certainly not impossible) to find with Dollar Tree food items.
Mixing it with mayo and cabbage creates a sweeter, classic coleslaw taste that makes you think of summer picnics and backyard barbecues. I'm a tangy coleslaw girl, so I prefer adding white vinegar and Greek yogurt to the mix and some extra salt and pepper, but the buttermilk powder, celery seed, and dehydrated vegetables add a lovely nuance to the dressing.
The instructions on the packet suggest mixing the total amount (1.87 ounces) with mayo, but I've never used more than a tablespoon at a time. So, I can get about four servings out of each packet (at 31 cents a serving). I usually start with a tablespoon of seasoning and add a quarter cup (each) of mayonnaise and yogurt. Then, I add vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste—it's completely foolproof.
Even the most inexperienced cook can just mix it and serve, and it'll deliver consistent results every time. I recommend shredding your cabbage for freshness and flavor, but if you're in a pinch, you can use a bag of coleslaw mix and have a salad ready in two minutes.
Other Ways I Like To Use This Coleslaw Seasoning
While making actual coleslaw is the obvious choice, this seasoning has become a helpful flavor enhancer for so much more. I sprinkle it on roasted vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, along with olive oil, salt, and pepper, to give them more depth of flavor, and it's transformed my sad desk lunches into something I look forward to eating. A splash of wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice when they're fresh out of the oven also helps!
I've mixed it with Greek yogurt or sour cream for an almost instant dip. I've even sprinkled it on popcorn for movie nights, and nobody was mad about it. One of my current favorite ways to use it is to mix it with yogurt, white vinegar, chopped herbs like parsley, chives, and/or dill, and salt and pepper for a buttermilk-ish dressing that I drizzle onto a shaved fennel, celery, and pear salad. It's the perfect fresh fall salad!
As a busy working mom, I find this flavor to be a reliable kitchen helper that can quickly add flavor and interest to weeknight dinners. And in a world where grocery prices keep climbing, finding a versatile ingredient that consistently delivers at this price point feels like striking gold. So until I discover my next favorite find, I'll keep buying three at a time!
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