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.
Great recipe! We are on vacation and have limited supply of ingredients. This recipe is simple and delicious.
Thank you for this very tasty recipe! Would it also be good with a touch of ketchup? I never thought of homemade coleslaw but I am in now! Thanks again
We have not tried adding a touch of ketchup but I would love to hear how it turns out for you if you try it!
Just made this for the second time. It is delicious! Can’t wait for dinner tonight. This amazing coleslaw and some pulled chicken sandwiches. Mmmm. Thanks for a great recipe!
You’re welcome Melissa! So happy to hear it!
We were on vacation and needed an easy recipe for coleslaw and this recipe fit the bill. I loved that it didn’t have too much mayonnaise. It tasted fresh and delicious. My 1 year old granddaughter couldn’t stop eating it!
“Coleslaw Recipe” Looks very good. I tried the recipe and really enjoyed it
Absolutely the best coleslaw dressing. So easy, delicious. Thank you.
You’re welcome Brenda!
I love this recipe!
It’s great
Very easy and tasty. Thanks
I enjoyed this recipe. Very good!
Fresh ingredients are best! Make it yourself! This recipe is fantastic!
Nothing pre-packaged or off the shelf.
Perfect proportions veggies yo dressing. I didn’t add any salt or pepper. It seemed perfect without any. So pleased with the creamy version, I’ll be trying the vinegar style soon. Better than any slaw I’ve found in a deli.
I’ve made this several times. I love this recipe because it is quick and easy to make. It is a great side and goes well with so many dishes.
This is a delicious side dish for ham dinner too. I used bagged slaw for easy prep, but it was a bit coarse for my liking, so I used kitchen scissors to refine it a bit. Everyone enjoyed it, even the picky eaters. Had a nice crunch and sweet/sour balance and added great color to the meal.
I have failed repeatedly to make satisfactory coleslaw. You’d think it would be the easiest dish on the planet. Not.
I used these instructions to slice the cabbage:
I wilted the cabbage and carrots according to the instructions:
The wilting has a substantial impact on texture, which I like. YMMV.
After that I added the dressing made exactly as described here. Easily the best coleslaw I’ve ever had. The only reason to not put it in a pulled pork sandwich is that you don’t eat pork.
Hello! Can I substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise? If so, would you say it’s a 1:1 substitution?
Hi Alicia, you could swap the mayonnaise for plain greek yogurt. If doing so, I would swap it 1:1 :)
Hi,
To make slaw vegan I’ve used tahini (1/4 cup) and honey instead of sugar and caraway seeds instead of celery seed… and it is soooo yummy!!! Or if you want something more traditional you can use veganaise (1/2 cup). Follow Your Heart is the best brand for veganaise FYI! I’ve been loving it for 20 years and nothing else compares (I’m not vegan anymore but I still use it on my sandwiches).
I haven’t cooked any of the recipes, but am will to try them
Delicious! Even my coleslaw biased partner enjoyed. We ate this atop the slow cooker pulled pork. Marvelous together! Thank you.
Great recipe. Simple to make & so good. Have tried several other recipes & this is a keeper..
How many calories are in the vinaigrette dressed coleslaw?
The nutrition information is listed under each recipe on the recipe card. The coleslaw is 160 calories per serving. Enjoy Shelly!