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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Yummy
I love this recipe – no need to use any other! I do double up on the dressing tho!
you are amazing
Great taste and was a hit with the family! This recipe makes a lot of dressing so you may want to add half, stir and then add a little dressing at a time to your liking.
This was so easy and deliciously creamy.
I had to more sugar, the resipe is very bland. I added about 2 more table spoons of sugar.
You have got to be kidding me??? Tablespoons?? It was bland so you turned it into a sugary sweet bleugh, its a salad not a dessert. Why not add other seasoning first if you found it bland? I despair.
Betty, perhaps he likes his a bit sweeter than what the recipe called for and that’s OK! It’s to “our” own liking. No need for you to put anyone down due to their preferences. Remember Betty, “Be Kind”. It really goes along way!
Maybe it was just an off day for you. But your reply was very cross almost finger pointing. We need less of that and more Kindness!!
Delicious tasting Coleslaw
I will making this while camping. can I make the dressing in advance (4-5 days) and refrigerate it and then combine with veggies the morning we will be having it for dinner?
Absolutely! Enjoy the recipe.
Excellent! Delicious and I may add some green apple
Everyone loved this recipe! Thank you!
Would I be able to substitute maple syrup or honey for the sugar?
I haven’t tried this with syrup or honey but I do think it would work.
Add raisins and pineapple chunks—like my mom did— fantastic!!
this recipe is very delicious they all loved it enjoy!
I grew up hating coleslaw but my husband requested some for dinner tonight. I’m actually enjoying this recipe ❤️
this happened to me too! I always thought I hated coleslaw but made this for a request and had to taste it since I’m a pretty good chef they say. I was amazed that I loved it! definitely going in rotation now when we bbq or fry fish
I will never buy prepared cole slaw or cole slaw dressing again! What a difference! and so much less expensive! Thank you!
Best coleslaw ever – my whole family loved it! I made a batch to eat with dinner – everyone ate it – even our most picky of eaters. Then they asked if I could make it again to use in Rueben’s in place of the saurerkraut – it was delicious!
Thank you so much for a now go to recipe!
This is excellent. I substitued White Balsamic vinegar for plain white vinegar and skipped the sugar. Worked out great!
I grew my own cabbage this year. I made this recipe and it was absolutely delicious with my homegrown cabbage.
Maybe it’s just my taste in coleslaw, but I didn’t find this to be the best coleslaw recipe. It wasn’t very creamy and a little bland.
Excellent!