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.
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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!
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red 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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We LOVE this coleslaw recipe! Wow, it’s perfect. I made it to go with our slow cooker pulled pork, and even though that’s all gone, I’m still craving more of this delicious coleslaw. Gonna make more today, so that’s twice in an 8 day period I’ve made it…. and there are only 2 of us. Thanks for a great recipe with items I always have on hand!
So glad you loved it Blake!
I am making this recipe to go along with pulled pork recipe! I did however buy the prepackaged slaw bc my market was out of purple cabbage? Would the measurements be 5 or 6 cups total of premixed? Not sure on proper way to measure out since each ingredient has different amounts of cups? Thanks so much!
This would be 6 cups total. Enjoy!
Made this recipe tonight. It was delicious. The dressing is so much better than what I’ve been using. Thanks for sharing it.
The Vinaigrette Coleslaw Dressing was perfect with your Easy Fish Tacos recipe! Just the right amount of tang and crunch. Thank you!
I’m so glad you loved it Lisa, thank you so much for your review!
Another one of “Holly’s greatest hits” this coleslaw recipe is so good and so easy. I’ll be making this one again. Thanks
❤️Thanks Laurie!
Holly, I am a true New Englander growing up about 30 minutes north of Cape Cod Ma. I have my grandmother’s Scalloped Oyster Recipe. I would love to share it with you
Sounds wonderful Laurie!
Hi, Holly.
This is the 1st time I’ve been on your site.
Your coleslaw dressing recipe is almost the same as the one I’ve used for years except I use brown sugar. I add more carrots & also broccoli to the slaw mix.
I’m going to try your avocado recipe next.
Thanks for the recipes.
Cheers.
Welcome Jean, so glad you found my site!
Holly,
I have saved, made, and loved so many of your recipes. This is my 1st comment, but I just had to tell you this really is the best slaw I’ve ever made. I had a good slaw recipe, but this one is my new favorite. The husband was almost sick eating it. We made pulled pork sandwiches with Boston Butt to serve this with almon with home made seasoned fries. I did add a bit of crushed dill, fresh parsley because I had some and a good amount of fresh black pepper. We are having a fish fry outside soon and this will be on them menu. Thanks again.
Yay! So happy to hear that Becky! Glad you both enjoyed it.
4 stars from this cook. Delicious!
Love this site ty
I am looking for easy make ahead recipes for all meals
Hi Annita! We have so many delicious recipes here. Lots are great to make ahead too!
All I can say is: This really is The Best Cole Slaw Dressing!
Thank you Barbara! I am thrilled that you enjoyed the coleslaw!
Wanted something to go with pulled pork
This a great recipe to pair with pulled pork Jackolin! Hope you enjoy!
Thanks for the great coleslaw recipe. I added some red bell pepper as well. Can you please tell me which mandolin you use for slicing? Thanks!
That is a delicious addition Viv! We love using this mandoline to speed the slicing process up.
I made a couple of substitutions, 1 cider vinegar, 1/2 TBS Rice Vinegar, celery salt instead of seed. Fantastic taste and one I’ll make again.
Great substitutions Debra. Glad you enjoyed it!
Was that 1/4 tsp celery seed?
Yes, updated thank you Tobitha! Enjoy!
I really like the dressing in this recipe and I always add onion and apple to coleslaw. Family requests this .
So glad your family enjoyed it Lorraine!
The recipe is classic and flawless, and I love the addition of the celery seed/salt. However, it’s critical (to me anyway) to mention that you must blend the Mayo and sugar FIRST before adding any of the vinegar, or else the mayo has a risk of separating, which doesn’t result in a nice, smooth dressing. I also add in just a splash of milk to make it nice & creamy.
Haaa this reminds me of the coleslaw I often order when I go to Texas Chicken xo I really love them!! However, I’ve never attempted to make this since I’m lazy shredding and don’t have a shred tool neither
– Natalie Ellis
You can use the same dressing with a bag of pre-shredded cabbage if you’d like!
I like to put tarragon vinager
Everyone needs a good coleslaw recipe and this looks delicious. I’m not a big fan of coleslaw, but the hubster loves it. I need to surprise him with this soon! ;-)
I have always wanted to make Cole slaw, and I made the creamy recipe and really loved it…it was so easy. My wife, who doesn’t like slaw, liked it too. The celery seed is a great touch. We put it atop pulled pork sandwiches. Today we will try the vinegar based cole slaw.
Glad to hear you both enjoyed this recipe! Putting it on top of a pulled pork sandwich is a yummy idea :)
Hi there,
Your recipe calls for mayonnaise/dressing. Is that the same thing as regular mayonnaise?
yes it is Suzan :)
The surprise ingredient for me was celery seed! Fabulous simple recipe, pinned and ready for those next pulled pork sandwiches. Thank you!