Meet my best coleslaw recipe! Made with colorful cabbage and a creamy homemade dressing, it's a perfect side dish for picnics and BBQs.
This easy coleslaw recipe is great for just about any occasion—a weeknight dinner, a summer BBQ, or a fun picnic lunch. Shredded cabbage and carrots create its colorful base, and a homemade coleslaw dressing ties the whole thing together. Crunchy, creamy, tangy, and lightly sweet, it’s one of my favorite quick side dishes. I’ve made it for countless cookouts over the last 6 years, and this creamy coleslaw recipe is always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Coleslaw Recipe
- It’s easy to make. Just shred the veggies, mix up the dressing, and toss it all together! To make it even simpler, use store-bought coleslaw mix instead of cutting the vegetables yourself.
- You can make it ahead. I actually like this coleslaw best after it sits for an hour (or even a day) in the fridge. The dressing gets even creamier as the vegetables soften.
- The homemade dressing packs it with flavor. Mayo makes it creamy, mustard and apple cider vinegar add tang, and a little sugar gives it just the right amount of sweetness. My favorite ingredient—celery seed—adds savory flavor that takes it over the top!
Coleslaw Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few basic ingredients to make this homemade coleslaw recipe!
- Green and red cabbage – They create the slaw’s crunchy base. I like to use both kinds for color, but feel free to use just one type of cabbage if you prefer. If you have napa cabbage or savoy cabbage on hand, you can use them in this recipe, but they won’t be quite as crisp as regular green or red cabbage.
- Carrots – They add earthy sweetness and bright pops of orange.
- Red onion – For savory depth of flavor.
Can I use pre-shredded coleslaw mix?
Yes, pre-shredded coleslaw mix works well in place of the carrots, cabbage, and onion in this recipe. I prefer the juicier texture of freshly shredded veggies, but if you’re short on time, a store-bought mix is a great way to simplify.
My Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
In addition to the veggies, you’ll need these ingredients for the creamy, tangy coleslaw dressing:
- Mayonnaise – It creates the dressing’s creamy base.
- Apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard – For tangy flavor.
- Sugar – It balances the sharpness of the vinegar and mustard. For a naturally sweetened option, substitute maple syrup.
- Celery seed – I think celery seed is the secret ingredient that takes this recipe over the top! It adds a unique savory flavor that pairs so well with the light sweetness of the dressing. That said, I’ve also made this recipe without it, and it still tastes great. If you can’t find it, feel free to skip.
- And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Coleslaw
Making this coleslaw recipe couldn’t be easier! Here’s what you need to do:
1. First, make the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
2. Next, prep the veggies. Shred the red and green cabbage using a sharp knife, or thinly slice them with a mandoline slicer. To do this, first cut the cabbage in half lengthwise, then cut the halves into wedges. Thinly slice the wedges crosswise so that they come apart into thin shreds.
Thinly slice the onion, and julienne the carrots or shred them on the large holes of a box grater.
3. Toss the slaw together. Place the shredded carrots, onion, and cabbage (or coleslaw mix) in a large bowl and add the dressing. Toss well to coat.
4. Season to taste and serve right away, or better yet, chill the slaw for an hour before serving. The cabbage will soften slightly and the flavors will meld. Delicious!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this classic coleslaw recipe as a side dish at summer potlucks and barbecues. It pairs well with these recipes:
- Best Veggie Burger
- Portobello Mushroom Burgers
- Black Bean Burgers
- BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches (a plant-based spin on pulled pork!)
I also love to pack this creamy coleslaw for picnics. It’s fantastic with a Caprese sandwich, chickpea salad sandwich, or egg salad sandwich. Don’t forget the brownies for dessert!
How to Store and Make Ahead
You can make this homemade coleslaw up to 2 days ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Give it a good stir and taste before serving. I sometimes find that I need to pep up the flavors with a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of salt.
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The vegetables will gradually lose their crunch as they sit.
More BBQ Side Salads to Try
If you love this easy coleslaw recipe, try one of these classic BBQ side salads next:
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Best Broccoli Salad
- Best Potato Salad
- Easy Macaroni Salad
- Or any of these 51 Best Salad Recipes!
Easy Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise, slightly scant
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¾ teaspoon celery seeds
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or shredded on the large holes of a box grater
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Make the coleslaw dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, mustard, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and several grinds of pepper.
- Make the coleslaw. In a large bowl, toss together the green and red cabbage, carrots, and onion. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the cabbage to soften and the flavors to meld.
I love food
Love this recipe . Have made it several times . Hard to find a creamy dressing that is not so heavy and rich . This has the right balance of flavours.
Hi Diane, I’m so glad you love the recipe!
Made this & it’s perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Not too salty, not too sweet, not too heavy. Just right! Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe is a great foundation. I substitute broccoli slaw sometimes. I often substitute mayo with Greek yogurt to make increase protein. Honey or monk fruit if I’m out of maple syrup I’m also very fond of adding fresh fruit like a julienne apple or grapes, dried fruit (cranberries, mango, cherries are what I often have on hand) and some type of salted nuts.
I’m so glad you’ve loved it – thanks for sharing your variations!
Amazing love this! So creamy.
Hi Melissa, I’m so glad you loved it!
Would apple work in this recipe?
An Apple is great – I ‘be done grapes and orange segments too – and I often add dried fruit and nuts too.
Wowwwy
Great recipe!!! Very smooth and balanced,. I added chopped basil from the garden.
OMG this is THE BEST coleslaw recipe I’ve made! I love the zesty flavors and celery seed!
This instantly became my family’s favorite coleslaw recipe! Even my very picky MIL and grandmother LOVE it! You’re a genius, thank you for sharing this!
Delicious
I added dried cranberries, as my kids like them.
Thanks
So glad you enjoyed it, Gail!
This was a delicious recipe! Better than our favorite local restaurant!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Great quick recipe. Creamy and a little bit of tang
So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi can this be frozen?
I don’t think this one would freeze well – I think it would be a bit soggy after it’s thawed.
I have made this almost weekly since Springtime! It is really delicious!
Can you substitute the syrup for sweetener diabetic and was wondering
? Hello, am I able to make this a day ahead.
yep!
Instead of maple syrup, would molasses or honey be a good substitute?
Honey yes, molasses no.
honey would work!
2nd time making in as many weeks! It’s gonna be in regular rotation!
So glad you love the coleslaw, Wayne!