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Coleslaw is a favorite side for picnics or BBQs, and it’s easy to make ahead of time!
In this coleslaw recipe, crisp and colorful shredded cabbage is tossed in a very simple creamy dressing with a hint of sweetness.
With some cabbage (or coleslaw mix) and a few basic ingredients, this will be a go-to side dish for almost any occasion.
Classic Coleslaw: Recipe Highlights
This is the best coleslaw recipe, perfect for parties and summer potlucks, and it is so simple to make.
- You need just a few ingredients, most of which you likely have on hand.
- Use green and red cabbage or coleslaw mix to make it even easier.
- The creamy coleslaw dressing takes just 2 minutes to make.
- This is great for gatherings since it is best made ahead of time.
Ingredient Tips
Cabbage: I use a mixture of regular green cabbage, a bit of red (or purple) cabbage, and shredded carrots. Any cabbage can be used; you can also swap it for a bag of coleslaw mix.
Dressing: The dressing is creamy and zesty, and what makes homemade coleslaw so good. If you’re short on time (or ingredients) store-bought dressing can be used, you’ll want something tangy and sweet.
How to Make Coleslaw
Colorful coleslaw can be made so quickly! Just 3 simple steps to the perfect creamy side dish.
- Shred Cabbage: Finely shred the cabbage. I use a mandoline but you can also shred with a food processor, or thinly cut it with a knife. Grate the carrots on the large holes of a box grater.
- Prep Dressing: Whisk the dressing ingredients. Mix it in a large bowl and add the slaw instead of washing an additional small bowl (per the recipe below).
- Combine & Chill: Add the cabbage and carrots to the dressing and toss to combine. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
Variations
- Swap the cabbage for pre-shredded cabbage or slaw mix in the produce section of the grocery store.
- Finely chop an apple (toss it in a bit of lemon juice) to make a Creamy Apple Slaw Recipe.
- Use the creamy dressing in the recipe below or the vinaigrette dressing in the notes.
- To make this recipe lighter, use yogurt in place of some or all of the mayonnaise.
Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Is SO Easy!
The creamy dressing for coleslaw is homemade and ready in about 2 minutes. It’s so much better than bottled! It’s creamy and a little tangy!
Don’t skip the celery seed, it adds a lot of flavor to this dish. This dressing is great on coleslaw, but can also be used on broccoli salad or as a salad dressing.
Serving Suggestions
We know that KFC coleslaw is great with chicken, but we love this fresh crisp version even more. We love it with any kind of BBQ dish, from ribs to chicken.
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks and Crispy Air Fryer French Fries.
- BBQ Chicken wouldn’t be the same without coleslaw!
- We also love serving a large scoop of creamy coleslaw with pulled pork sandwiches
- Use it in place of lettuce on burgers and other favorites!
Keep it Cool!
If serving at a potluck or summer event, ensure the slaw isn’t left out in the sun. Place the bowl of slaw in a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it chilled.
Storage
Store leftover coleslaw in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. After a couple of days, it may release a bit of water, drain it away (and add a tiny bit of mayonnaise if needed).
Unfortunately, coleslaw made with a mayonnaise base will not freeze well.
More Classic BBQ Side Salads
Did you make this Coleslaw recipe? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
The Best Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1 cup thinly sliced purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrot
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl.
- Toss with cabbage & carrots. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to blend.
Video
Notes
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon celery seeds
- salt & pepper to taste
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad, Side Dish
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This has become our go to. I multiplied this by 6 for a wedding and it was gone in about twenty minutes. So good!
Very creamy, slightly sweet with a hint of tartness from the vinegar. My family loved it!
This is a perfect recipe . In my opinion you need to have the celery seeds. You can add more or less vinegar and mayonnaise to your liking.
I made this Coleslaw but I used a bag of coleslaw mix and just added the dressing. My son said it was better than KFC! Thanks for the recipe.
In california we don’t typically do things as sweet as the south …so I suggest to put in half the sugar and taste it before you add more- f you don’t want it super sweet . We had to toss out the first batch because I didn’t do this the first round . Also I just used white vinegar because I didn’t t have the apple cider vinegar and it was terrific . We also used less of the dressing in the actual slaw and it was great if you like it a bit lighter .
Best cole slaw ever! The dressing is the bomb and it’s easy to play with (I use your ingredients, but SO bad at measuring. I typically add some dill, cayenne, & sriracha for a bit of a kick. It’s also great with dried cranberries. This cole slaw is always requested at parties & bbqs!
Thanks Holly!
Delicious classic coleslaw! My family likes it a bit sweeter so I added a few more teaspoons.
I put celery seed, sea salt and a grind of black peppercorns in a mortar and lightly break up with the pestle. Distributes spices evenly thru dressing. Can break up spices using two large dinnerware spoons, one on top of the other.
That sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing, Lyn.
excellent flavor, simple prep, and can easily be adjusted for more servings. I used a 12oz bag of Taylor Farms Super Blend in place of the coleslaw mix. add golden raisins and shaved almonds. outstanding whatever you do with it!
Easy, quick and delicious. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
I am pressed for time so I was thinking of using bagged coleslaw. What size bag would I use? Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. I look forward to making this recipe.
Coleslaw bags can come in different sizes so you’ll want to pick one with about 6 cups of slaw mix.
Just wondering what size portion is assigned to the nutritional label for this salad. TYVM. Can’t try this before I know so can’t honestly rate until then but giving you the benefit of the doubt with a 5 star as everyone seems to love it. Any substitute suggestions for the celery seed?
It is approximately 1 cup per serving. As for the celery seed you could replace it with fennel seed, dill seed, or caraway seed with similar results. Enjoy!
Great and simple recipe! Use all the time!
Thanx Holly, this is really the best coleslaw dressing in the world.
I make this every time, it truly is the best coleslaw recipe!
this is by far our favorite dressing recipe foe coleslaw. We brought it to an awesome cookout last weekend with all sorts of different potato, pasta and lettuce salads. We brought the only coleslaw. People were raving about the coleslaw and it was the first of the salads to run out!!! We put the dressing on pasta salad tonight and it was delicious!!!
Family loves it best coleslaw ever
is this like KFC? my grandkids loves their’s. I’m going to try it!