A typical coleslaw recipe is one of those side dishes that go with anything!
This creamy coleslaw dressing recipe is bright and tangy with a hint of sweetness for a perfect slaw.
Toss it with shredded cabbage or other shredded veggies, use it as a dressing for spinach salad, potato salad, or even pasta salad.
Ingredients for Coleslaw Dressing
We think the best coleslaw dressing is creamy and tangy and a bit sweeter than most salad dressings.
Mayonnaise is the base of this creamy dressing. Some of the mayo can be replaced with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to lighten it up but it can make the dressing more watery.
Vinegar adds tang. While I love a combination of white vinegar and apple cider vinegar use one or the other if it’s all you have.
Celery Seed is a spice you may not have on hand, but it really makes the perfect flavor and shouldn’t be skipped in this recipe. You can add it to your Amazon cart here for your next batch!
Using Coleslaw Dressing
This homemade coleslaw dressing recipe is so much better than store-bought and can be used for more than just coleslaw.
- Sandwich Topper: Toss it with a bag of coleslaw mix and add it to Pulled Pork Sandwiches or burgers.
- Dressing for Other Salads: This dressing pairs especially well with bitter greens like arugula or salads with nuts or fruits.
- Marinade: Tenderize your chicken or seafood with this tangy marinade before grilling or baking.
- Potato Salad: For a creamy potato salad, mix the dressing with boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and your favorite ingredients. Perfect for summer potlucks.
- Mix with Tuna or Chicken Salad: Spice up your traditional tuna salad or chicken salad with a little coleslaw dressing.
- Drizzle on Roasted Veggies: Roasted veggies will taste even better with a drizzle of this dressing.
- Dressing for Grain Bowls: Drizzle over quinoa, rice, or other grain bowls. It’s an easy way to elevate your meal prep for the week.
Storage
Coleslaw dressing will keep in a mason jar in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks so feel free to double (or triple) the recipe. Before using it again, give it a shake or stir.
Crazy for Coleslaw!
Did you love this Coleslaw Dressing? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Easy Coleslaw Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise or dressing
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, white vinegar, cider vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the dressing with 5 cups of shredded cabbage, grated carrots, broccoli slaw, or your choice of vegetables until well coated.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have cider vinegar on hand, substitute with additional white vinegar.
- Ensure the dressing rests, this allows the acidity from the vinegars to mellow out and the flavors to blend.
- This dressing is versatile! Feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and sugar to taste, swap in honey, or even add a pinch of paprika or Dijon mustard for a twist.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dip, Dressing, Salad
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Best coleslaw I’ve ever eaten!
Very easy! Tasty!! Perfect. I used grated celery instead of seeds, worked well!
Excellent! I’ll never buy commercial dressing again!
made it tonight for my pulled pork sandwiches and came out great. will definetly use again
SO happy to hear you loved this dressing, Anna!
Can you use balsamic vinegar? Its all i have on hand. TIA
You can, but it’s not going to have the same taste as a classic coleslaw dressing.
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Thanks, James!
I made a similar recipe for a friend and she was a crazy about it. Said she had never had homemade coleslaw and dressing. Then I misplaced that recipe. So glad that I found yours. I will be using it from now on. Thanks for posting it.
So glad we can help, Kathi!
If you double or triple the dressing ingredients wouldn’t you also have to double or triple the number of cups of the shredded cabbage, grated carrots and broccoli slaw which is not indicated in this recipe? Thanks for your reply to my question.
Hi Elizabeth! If you adjust the serving amount, the ingredient quantities will change, but you’ll need to manually adjust the instructions. Apologies for any confusion!
All are great some we like better than others but all are great.
I found you can use with pintos also, oh so good
Down to earth good cooking
Thank you
simple, easy & delicious..I added minced celery heart leaves & flat leaf parsley, too. awesome. so much more cost effective than buying pre-made dressing, too.
Thanks for trying this recipe, Jenny! So glad you enjoyed it.
This is my “go to” coleslaw recipe. I use ground celery seed, some people can’t have seeds. I add the regular celery seeds to individual servings at meal time. I really like this dressing, make it often. Sometimes I add green onion, if I have them and the time.
Yummy Patricia! Thanks for sharing.
We are having this for dinner this evening with marinated chicken breasts. I just finished making the cole slaw. It is so delicious. Thank you for sharing.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Barbara!
Reminds me of my Mom’s coleslaw. Yum! In fact my Son recently asked for the recipe. It’s now my favorite dressing and my Son’s.
The 2 vinegars, milder mustard and celery seeds make all the difference! This recipe has become my ‘go-to’ coleslaw dressing!
I’m so glad you are loving this recipe Karen!
This is my go to recipe that I use all the time.
I am so happy to hear you love this recipe Linda!
Pretty tasty, will make again. Probably tonight.
So happy you enjoyed it, John!
This recipe has become a go-to recipe for weeknight dinners and quick lunches. It comes together fast, which is great. The coleslaw is tasty on top of barbecued chicken and pork sandwiches, and it’s delicious on its own.
So glad you’ve enjoyed it, we love the combination of pulled pork slaw too!
Just like my grandma and mother in law use to make. Very good and yummy. Thanks
You’re welcome Linda!
Excited to be part of this.
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Best I have ever made. Celery seed is key,