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.
I have made this recipe 3 times. The last time i made it I thought something was missing! Hey! It needs horseradish! I added 2 1/2 teaspoons of creamy horseradish, then 1/2 teaspoon of jalepeno powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, yum! I had way too many jalapeños and carrots, so i put in a cup of each, 1/4 of a red onion, then finally the cabbage! Yum!
This looks really good! Coleslaw has been my nemesis for years because of my picky husband. He likes his coleslaw to have a kick. I think I finally perfected it according to his tastes. If you want to try a spicier version, here’s what I do. I would omit mustard, add onion and garlic powder, (1/2 tsp each), swap the salt for seasoned salt, use freshly cracked pepper, add 1 T minced fresh onion, 1 tsp minced fresh garlic, and 1 T horseradish sauce or 1 tsp fresh horseradish.
My boyfriend is a cole slaw snob, but when I tried this recipe, he said, “THIS is a keeper!” So it’s now my go-to recipe for cole slaw. He loves this stuff as a side or snack! Thank you for posting it.
Yay! I am so happy to hear this recipe is a hit with your boyfriend Sandra!
A very delicious coleslaw and so easy to make.
Could I make this without the red cabbage?
Absolutely, substitute additional green cabbage.
Yes.
best ever Thanks
Our family LOVES this recipe! I double the dressing and use a bagged coleslaw mix w red/green cabbage and half a bag of shredded carrots. I only double the dressing because we like ours “soupier” than the recipe calls for, but it’s really a matter of preference on texture. The flavors are absolutely spot on! My sweetheart wanted coleslaw with dinner yesterday and asked me to stop at our favorite bbq place to get slaw. I mentioned that I had the ingredients for this recipe and he said, “oh that’s WAY better! Do that!” Very high praise from him! Thank you!
Modified with 16oz bag of slaw. Didn’t have cider vinegar or celery seeds, used what we had sherry vinegar and celery salt omitting salt. Used Kewpie mayo and added black peppercorn pepper, white pepper and lemon pepper. Gotta have lottsa pepper. Adjust to desired creaminess for slaw amount.
all the instructions, no ingredients… except slaw… this what I started with… waste of time…thanks anyway
Hi Dawn, you may have missed th recipe. You can scroll just above the comments here or use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post. Hope that helps!
Easy solid cole slaw recipe. I also like the simple ingredients and easy to customize
Yum. I have made this exact recipe many times, always great!
I have tried this recipe three times and it is the worst. Do not make this recipe. It is bland, watery, disappointing.
Oh no! I am sorry to hear you didn’t love this recipe as much as we do Jack, it always get rave reviews when we make it. Thank you for trying it.
I was looking for a good recipe as we did not make coleslaw for many years. This was perfect, adjusted sugar and Mayo and cam perfect. Thanks for sharing. BTW, I saved the recipe.
Love the recipe. Made it to complement our salmon salad tocos. Taste so yum yum.
Blessings always
In Jesus precious and Holy name
Great recipe!! The right amount of flavour!
I put mine through the food processor for a finer cut, and for a healthier version I add honey instead of sugar.
Simple and delicious
I rarely review but this was awesome! Thanks for the recipe!!
Finally found our go to recipe! The dressing is perfectly tasting and not to sweet. Thank you!!
Tastes fantastic!
The salad was bland. Not sure what it was missing, but it tasted like you were just eating cabbage. We made it the night before the party. The salad was easy to make and looked great, so we were disappointed the flavor was off.
Oh no! I am sorry to hear you didn’t love this recipe as much as we do. Thank you for trying it Samantha.