Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted May 17, 2020, Updated Apr 03, 2024

5 from 24 votes

20 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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!

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (2)

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!

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (3)

Coleslaw Recipe: Ingredients & Substituions

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (4)
  • 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.
Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (5)

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.

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (6)

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

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (7)

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

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (8)

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.

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (9)

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

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (10)

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.

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (11)

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.).

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (12)

Store

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

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (13)

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.

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (14)

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (15)

Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (16)

SavePinPrint

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 24 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!

try these recipes

Broccoli Salad

Lemon Summer Pasta Salad

Easy Potato Salad Recipe

Best Pasta Salad Recipe (Homemade Dressing)

Lemon Orzo Salad

Summer Fruit Salad

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? ›

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 best pre made coleslaw? ›

With its nice, thick dressing, Walmart's deli coleslaw is the best creamy coleslaw of the bunch. The dressing is heavy on the mayo, which makes it the best coleslaw to slather on a burger or pulled pork sandwich, and the copious amounts of shredded carrot will contribute some crunch, too.

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

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.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

Made with shredded cabbage, onion, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard. This is the perfect quick Side Dish that you can bring along to BBQs, potlucks, and family gatherings.

What is coleslaw seasoning made of? ›

Mix mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, pepper, celery seed, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a large bowl. Add coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

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.

Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

The more cut surface area a food item has, the more moist nooks and crannies there are for bacteria to thrive in. So when looking at a cookout staple like coleslaw, where the cabbage is shredded, there's plenty of opportunity for bacterial growth.

What was coleslaw originally made of? ›

The roots of coleslaw recipes make their way back to ancient Rome. Roman citizens would often eat a meal featuring cabbage, eggs, vinegar, and other spices. On the other side of the globe, the Dutch founders of New York served a shredded cabbage salad. This is similar to today's 'slaw.

Is coleslaw good or bad for you? ›

Yes. Coleslaw can absolutely be part of a healthy eating plan as long as you choose your dressing carefully. Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition.

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.

What happens if I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar? ›

Just note that apple cider vinegar has a slightly sweeter and fruitier flavor compared to the more neutral taste of white vinegar. So, the substitution may alter the taste of your recipe slightly. But for most dishes, the substitution should work just fine!

How do you tone down the vinegar taste in coleslaw? ›

One effective way to balance out the acidity of vinegar is by incorporating sweet ingredients. The natural sweetness can counteract the sour taste and create a more well-rounded flavor. There are various sweeteners you can experiment with, such as sugar, honey, maple syrup, or even fruit juices.

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!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6030

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.