Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted May 17, 2020, Updated Apr 03, 2024

5 from 25 votes

22 Comments

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The best coleslaw recipe is easy to make in under 5 minutes! This homemade coleslaw is lightened up and only sweetened with honey, and is a delicious summer BBQ side dish!

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Coleslaw is a classic, refreshing summer side dish that is a must-have at every summer BBQ (and you can’t forget the pasta salad with homemade dressing or easy stovetop mac and cheese)!

This easy coleslaw recipe take 5 minutes to prepare, and is the best coleslaw ever! It’s naturally sweetened with honey and is lightly dressed with a delicious homemade coleslaw dressing (instead of being drowned in it)! Nothing beats this homemade coleslaw!

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Coleslaw Recipe: Ingredients & Substituions

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  • Mayonnaise. There really isn’t a substitute for mayonnaise in this coleslaw recipe. You can use light mayo or homemade mayonnaise. You can also use miracle whip but it will make the coleslaw significantly sweeter.
  • Honey.granulated white sugar or maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar.
  • Lemon Juice. I don’t recommend making a substitution for the lemon juice.
  • Celery Seeds. I love the authentic flavor celery seeds impart in the coleslaw recipe. However if you’d prefer you can very finely chop celery and add it to the mix for a similar flavor, and a little more crunch.
  • Coleslaw Mix.If you prefer to make your own coleslaw mix instead of buying it bagged, simply use 6 cups green cabbage, 1 cup purple cabbage, and 1 cup shredded carrots.
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How to Make Coleslaw

It only takes 5 minutes to prepare this homemade coleslaw recipe! Let’s walk through the steps together, and as always don’t forget to watch the video!

Make the dressing

To make the coleslaw dressing, start by adding all the ingredients (except celery seeds) into a medium bowl.

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Whisk the ingredients thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and creamy.

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Add celery seeds and whisk until they are evenly distributed. Then set the coleslaw dressing aside for a moment.

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Assemble the Coleslaw

Mix this homemade coleslaw recipe in halves to ensure even distribution of the dressing. Start by adding half of the coleslaw mixture in a large mixing bowl. Then, pour half of the dressing over the coleslaw in the bowl.

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Next, add the rest of the coleslaw mixture and pour the rest of the dressing over it.

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Then, stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Chill

Transfer the coleslaw to a serving dish, cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

Make your own Coleslaw mix

Finely chop 1 medium head of green cabbage (6 cups), half a head of purple cabbage (1 cup), and use 1 cup shredded carrots.

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Serve

When you’re ready to serve, stir the coleslaw. Then garnish with salt, pepper, extra celery seeds, chopped onion, etc. and enjoy on the side of your favorite BBQ or potluck fare (like this chicken satay, pasta salad, etc.).

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Store

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Homemade Coleslaw Recipe FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about this easy coleslaw recipe.

How long does homemade coleslaw last?

Homemade coleslaw lasts for three days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze coleslaw?

No. Do not freeze coleslaw. It will give is a gritty texture, make it soggy and all around inedible.

How do you shred vegetables for coleslaw?

I prefer to finely chop my vegetables if I don’t use a store-bought bag of coleslaw mix. You can also use a hand held shredder or food processor to shred the cabbage and carrots.

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Best Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Laura

The best coleslaw recipe is easy to make in under 5 minutes! This homemade coleslaw is lightened up and only sweetened with honey, and is a delicious summer BBQ side dish!

5 from 25 votes

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 14 Servings

Calories 77

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Chilling1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, vinegar, salt pepper until the mixture is combined and there are no lumps.

  • Add celery seeds and whisk to combine.

  • Place half of the coleslaw mixture in a large mixing bowl.

  • Pour half of the dressing over the coleslaw in the bowl.

  • Add the rest of the coleslaw mixture and pour the rest of the dressing over it.

  • Stir until combined.

  • Transfer to a serving dish, cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

  • Stir, then garnish with salt, pepper, extra celery seeds, chopped onion, etc.

  • Serve.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Mayonnaise. There really isn’t a substitute for mayonnaise in this coleslaw recipe. You can use light mayo or homemade mayonnaise. You can also use miracle whip but it will make the coleslaw significantly sweeter.
  • Honey.granulated white sugar or maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar.
  • Lemon Juice. I don’t recommend making a substitution for the lemon juice.
  • Celery Seeds. I love the authentic flavor celery seeds impart in the coleslaw recipe. However if you’d prefer you can very finely chop celery and add it to the mix for a similar flavor, and a little more crunch.

Homemade Coleslaw Mix

Finely chop 1 medium head of green cabbage (6 cups), half a head of purple cabbage (1 cup), and use 1 cup shredded carrots.

How to Store Coleslaw

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is white vinegar better than apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

However, there is a best vinegar to use, and it's apple cider vinegar. The reason is threefold: taste, chemical makeup, and health benefits. Though there's no shortage of other types of vinegar, none has this ideal trifecta to best complement your cabbage and its other coleslaw vegetable ingredients.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

It's packed with shredded cabbage and julienned carrots (for health!) and tossed in the holy triumvirate of coleslaw dressing ingredients: apple cider vinegar for acidity, honey for balance, and mayonnaise to tie it all together (feel free to substitute up to half the mayo for tangier Greek yogurt or sour cream for an ...

What is the dressing on coleslaw made of? ›

What is coleslaw dressing made of? Coleslaw dressing is usually mayo-based. Then you add vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. A bit of salt and pepper finishes off a classic, creamy, tangy dressing.

What can I use instead of apple cider vinegar for coleslaw? ›

Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar. Lemon Juice.

Which is stronger, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

White vinegar is stronger than apple cider with a higher percentage of acetic acid. Reach for apple cider vinegar when you want to add flavor to salad dressings and sauces. Choose distilled white vinegar when you want to pickle foods or add acidity without imparting any extra flavors.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

What is traditional coleslaw made of southern living? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

While cabbage salad often consists only of one vegetable seasoned and dressed, coleslaw can include a few other ingredients like shredded veggies, fruits, or seasonings to give some variety to the dish. While both feature cabbage as the star of the show, the different dressings set the two apart.

What is KFC coleslaw made of? ›

There are only 3 vegetables: You can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw and finely chop that, if you prefer. But keep in mind that true KFC Coleslaw only contains green cabbage, carrots, and onions, so don't use the packaged cabbage that has red cabbage or any herbs.

How do you keep coleslaw from getting watery? ›

Salting the cabbage should be step one of any coleslaw recipe. With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness.

How long does homemade coleslaw last? ›

How Long Does Coleslaw Last? Assuming that you're storing your coleslaw in the refrigerator — and haven't taken it out for a stretch of time and put it back in — coleslaw can safely last up to five days. However, it's important to remember that this is the maximum amount of time it should be kept.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

If you're in the mood for something creamy, sweet, and tangy, coleslaw is an excellent option. Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Once you settle on your variety of cabbage, always opt for the freshest heads possible. They should be firm, dense, and heavy with crisp, vibrant, tightly packed leaves. Older, overripe heads often have a more pungent smell and are more likely to taste bitter.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Is white vinegar better than apple cider vinegar for pickles? ›

Because apple cider vinegar is made from apples rather than barley, corn rice or wine, it gives pickles a mellower taste. Using a white distilled vinegar, for example, will create a harsher flavour. But as well as being gentler on your palate, using apple cider vinegar also adds health benefits to pickles.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for salad? ›

Apple cider vinegar

The apples give the vinegar a lightly sweet yet tangy taste with a fruity undertone. This vinegar is on the lighter end of the spectrum in terms of tang, but will still add that classic vinegar taste to your meal. It works well in salad dressings as well as pickling and marinating.

What can I use instead of white wine vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Light-bodied rice vinegar is among the most versatile white wine vinegar substitutes. Also called rice wine vinegar, it's made from white, brown, or black rice that's fermented until the sugars and starches turn into alcohol and then acetic acid.

Can you mix apple cider vinegar with anything to make it taste better? ›

So, why not try mixing ACV into a delicious drink? Mixing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water, a squeeze of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey creates a tasty, sweet drink. You could even add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavour or add more honey to make it sweeter!

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