How to Cut Cabbage for Slaw in 5 Steps

Follow these steps to cut green cabbage, red cabbage, or Savoy cabbage to make [cabbage slaw:](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/coleslaw-recipe) 1. __Gather your materials__. To cut a whole head of [cabbage](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-cabbage), make sure you have a cutting board and a sharp chef's knife. 2. __Wash the cabbage__. Rinse the head of cabbage, removing any wilted, browned, or tough outer leaves. 3. __Cut the cabbage in half__. Placing the cabbage on the cutting board, cut it in half through the stem. 4. __Quarter the cabbage__. Place the cut-side of the cabbage halves down, then cut the cabbage halves in half through the stem. You should now have four quarters of cabbage. 5. __Remove the core__. Flip the cabbage quarters onto the curved sides and cut out the core of the cabbage, which is tough to eat. 6. __Slice the cabbage wedges__. Put the cabbage quarters onto the flat sides so you can cut the cabbage wedges into thin strips for slaw. For long strips, cut the cabbage wedge lengthwise in quarter-length strips. For short strips of cabbage, cut the cabbage quarters widthwise. Napa cabbage looks more like a head of lettuce than a tightly packed head of cabbage, and the method for cutting is slightly different than other cabbages. To cut a [Napa cabbage](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/napa-cabbage-explained), slice off the bottom where the stem is located. Then, slice the Napa cabbage into thin slices width-wise. When cutting a head of cabbage for coleslaw, keep these tips in mind: 1. __Use a mandolin.__ You can run quarters of cabbage against a mandolin or a grater to cut. Just be careful not to cut your fingers against the mandolin. 2. __Separate the cabbage leaves__. The cabbage leaves may stick together after you slice the cabbage. Use your fingers to spread the cabbage apart. 3. __Store the cut cabbage__. You can store sliced cabbage in the refrigerator for one to three days. Do not combine the cabbage with dressing or sauce unless you are serving it that day. Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more. Coleslaw is a popular side dish made out of shredded cabbage you can use as a topping for sliders and tacos. Learn how to properly cut cabbage for slaw.