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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I loved the dressing recipe, just tried and it came out great! Thank you.
Nope. Ratio of dressing to cabbage is way too low. I needed to roughly add 50% more to turn it into real coleslaw.
Coleslaw should sit for at least 30 minutes so the salt from the dressing helps draw out the moisture from the vegetables. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld.
Great recipe. I made it to pair with pulled pork during SuperBowl
Best EVER!!!!! I used dukes mayo. This was THE BEST coleslaw I’ve ever had in my life! Husband said it was better than even the main course!!! Thank you!!!
This is a great recipe.
Hi, I’m writing you from Frankfurt, Germany. Lived in FLA for 8 yrs. my mother-in-law from GA was always in charge of the slaw. I’m having the family over for a Winter BBQ. Ribs, curly fries, garlic bread and your cole slaw. Prepared today. Looking forward to it. came out just right. thx for sharing. Tatjana
That makes me so happy to hear, Tatjana! I hope everyone enjoyed it.
I thought this was very good. To my taste, I added a little more sugar and a little more salt. It’s hard to find a good cole slaw dressing with a good balance of flavors like this one does.
this was fabulous!! thanks. no apple cider vinegar but replaced with wine vinegar .. we will eat this often.. I’ll save the recipe .
afterscrolling I never found the dressing recipe.
Hi Joe, we have found that if you are using a “reader view” you may not see the site correctly. Recipes are written answering as many questions as possible prior to the recipe. We have many levels of cooks and want to ensure success for our readers. As with most blogs, there will always be writing before the recipe. Hope that helps.
Good basic recipe. Way too sweet as is. Definitely season to taste. Personally I went a little creamier. Went 50/50 kewpie mayo and chipotle mayo. Use half the sugar. Squeezed half lemon juice in and a decent few dashes of Louisiana hot sauce. Came out pretty good for my taste. Used store bought tri color cause I felt lazy. Might add a quarter of fine sliced white onion.
It’s funny how they give us a recipe and then we doctor it up so much!! I guess recipes are ‘guidelines’!! lol
We do find Kewpie may to be sweeter. Yes, you would likely want to adjust the sugar to accommodate different ingredients.
I made it last night for a shrimp boil party. Used a hybrid version of the dressing ( by accident) but it was delicious. I did shred up a whole red cabbage and about 5 carrots in my food processor because I had that on hand. I bought the green cabbage mix at the grocery store – and mine was about 50/50 ratio green to red cabbage. Very deep color. Everyone loved it and commented on how beautiful and tasty it was. I accidentally started with the vinagrette dressing using all the sugar and cider & white vinegar amounts before I realized I was not making the mayo version. I just added in about twice the mayo amount to counterbalance the tartness. It was a hit! Used loads of celery seeds too.
Perfect recipe! Will be adding to my family’s recipe book, thanks! PS- I only follow 2 pages for trusted recipes, yours is #1!
Wow, what a compliment! Thank you so much, Jessica ❤️
I’m not sure what everyone is raving about, this was mediocre at best. Super bland and blah! Will not be making again. Threw left overs out.
Oh no! Sorry you didn’t like it Dayna, it’s a favorite in my house!
The creamy coleslaw dressing was a big hit every bit of salad was eaten and was really enjoyed.
How much Cole slaw mix should you buy for this recipe
1 bag, about 14 to 16 oz will be enough.
this is impossible to follow!
Sorry you are having trouble following the recipe, Ed. Is there anything we can help with?
This has to be the most simple recipe to follow. Mix dressing ingredients together, then add cabbage and carrot. Mix.
I’m making the dressing and it’s a little strong on the Mayo taste. What can I do to balance it out more. Do I add more vinegar or sugar? Please help.
As the base of the dressing is mayonnaise, it will have a mayo flavor. You could add in some sour cream or plain Greek yogurt if you’d like.
good simple recipe
The best coleslaw recipe by far. So delicious and easy to make.
This was too sweet. If you like your cole slaw a bit tangy (who doesn’t?), cut the sugar in half and use WAY more white vinegar — maybe even swap the amounts for the vinegar and the mayonnaise.