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.
A Classic Coleslaw Recipe
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.
Ingredients
BASE: We use a mixture of regular green cabbage, a bit of red (or purple) cabbage, and shredded carrots. You can swap this out for a bag of coleslaw mix but don’t limit it to cabbage try any “slaw” that your store carries.
DRESSING: Homemade coleslaw is so good because of the zesty creamy dressing. 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 cabbage using a mandoline, a food processor, or make thin slices with a knife. For the carrots, I grate them on the larger side of a box grater.
- Prep Dressing: Whisk the dressing ingredients in a large bowl (per the recipe below).
- Combine & Chill: Add the cabbage and carrots to the dressing and stir 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.
- Finley cut an apple (toss it in a bit of lemon juice) to make it into 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.
How to Make Coleslaw Dressing
The creamy dressing for this easy coleslaw recipe is homemade but ready in about 2 minutes. It’s so good!
What’s in Coleslaw Dressing? This coleslaw recipe uses mayonnaise as a base for a creamy slaw (my favorite kind) but I’ve included a vinaigrette-based dressing in the notes too.
Mayonnaise adds a creamy texture while the vinegar adds a slight tang. The small amount of sugar balances the dressing. Make sure you don’t skip the celery seed, it really adds a lot of flavor to this dish. This dressing is great on coleslaw but it’s also perfect on broccoli salad. Mix the dressing well before adding to the cabbage mixture. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.
Holly’s Tips
- Don’t skip the celery seed, it adds flavor to this classic coleslaw recipe.
- Whisk the dressing in a large bowl (instead of a small bowl) and add the cabbage to toss it all together, one less dish to wash!
- Coleslaw is best once it’s chilled for at least a couple of hours.
- 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.
What to Serve with Coleslaw
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.
- 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!
How to Store
Store this 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 Easy Sides You’ll Love
- Cucumber Avocado Salad – Fresh and easy
- Brussel Sprout Salad
- Cilantro Lime Coleslaw – Garden fresh!
- Old Fashioned Bean Salad – My mother-in-law’s recipe!
- Chickpea Salad Reader favorite!
- Creamy Apple Slaw Recipe
Did you make this Coleslaw recipe? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
The Best Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups green cabbage finely shredded
- 2 cups purple cabbage finely shredded
- 1 cup carrot finely shredded
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise/dressing
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ tablespoon cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon celery seeds
- salt & 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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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.
Hi: trying this receipe now for a party later this afternoon. I don’t have any apple cider vinegar and don’t have time to go out to get some. What can I sub. for it?
Thanks!
You can use white wine vinegar or additional white vinegar.