The BEST Coleslaw recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

We have the best coleslaw recipe and it is better than anything store bought. It is so easy to make with the perfect blend of tang and creaminess. This coleslaw is amazing paired with our Crock Pot Hot Dog Recipe, BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and much more.

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (1)

The Best coleslaw recipe

I have never been a fan of store bought slaw. It never seemed that good to me or maybe I’m just picky. Either way, I have perfected the best coleslaw recipe that is easy to make at home.

Once you try this, you will know why we love it so much. Plus, it is so much cheaper than store bought.

Those little containers are not cheap at the grocery store. This recipe makes a good amount for a fraction of the cost. Not to mention it tastes way better.

In less than 15 minutes, you can have this easy and delicious coleslaw ready to enjoy!

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (2)

How do you make coleslaw from scratch?

The ingredients are so simple but the recipe turns out fabulous. With a few fresh items and the best coleslaw dressing ever, this comes together so fast.

I doubt you ever buy store bought again once you see how easy homemade is. If you can toss and mix a few items, you can make this slaw from scratch.

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (3)

Tips for homemade coleslaw dressing:

  • If you want to save even more time, you can buy the coleslaw mix at the grocery store with pre shredded cabbage (next to the salad bags) and then finish the recipe. However, those can be pricey so I would only recommend it if you are short on time or if they are on sale.
  • If you prefer your coleslaw crunchy, serve this as soon as you make it. I like my coleslaw made in advance an hour before serving so it is a little softer. Just do what you prefer.
  • Try using a mixture of cabbage. Not only is this pretty but tastes good too. We like to mix in red cabbage with the green cabbage.
  • Change things up by using Dijon mustard instead of yellow mustard.
  • Substitute apple cider vinegar for the mustard.
  • It is optional but we love to use a good mandolin slicer for the veggies. Such a time saver!

What’s coleslaw recipe good with?

  • Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches
  • Hot Dogs
  • BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
  • Baked Chicken Legs

This coleslaw recipe is not just for topping but a great side dish too. It is so delicious and really simple to prepare.

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (4)

Ingredients:

  • Shredded Cabbage (Green and Red )
  • Carrots
  • Sliced Green Onions
  • Mayonnaise (See The Best Mayonnaise Substitutes)
  • Yellow Mustard
  • Salt
  • Pepper
The BEST Coleslaw recipe (5)

How to make homemade coleslaw:

1. First, cut the cabbage and slice it. I prefer to use amandolin slicer.

There are several good mandolin slicers on sale. I use mine all the time and highly recommend it.

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (6)

2. Julienne carrots. If you are short on time, you can buy the carrots already julienned.

3. Next, mix the veggies together in a large bowl.

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (7)

4. Lastly, add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Make sure everything is coated.

How long does homemade coleslaw last?

Coleslaw will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Just make sure to use an airtight container with a good fitting lid.

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (8)

Enjoy!

I hope you try this delicious side dish or topping idea and come back and let us know how you like it. We personally prefer ours less crunchy so I make it in advance.

I like it to soften and the flavors to combine. If you prefer your slaw crunchy, don’t make it in advance and serve right away.

It is delicious either way and super easy to make work for how you like it best.

Print this homemade coleslaw recipe below:

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (9)

Review

Pin Print

The BEST Coleslaw recipe

4.94 from 16 votes

This coleslaw recipe is easy to make and it is the best coleslaw recipe. You only need a few ingredients to make this easy side dish.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine American

Course Side Dish

Calories 95

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 5 cup Shredded Cabbage (green, red or both)
  • 1 cup Julienned Carrots
  • 1/3 cup green onions sliced
  • 4 tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tbsp Yellow Mustard
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Salt

Instructions

  • Cut off cabbage (leaving the core) and slice on mandolin slicer into thin strips.

  • Julienne the carrots.

  • Mix the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.

  • Add in the cabbage, carrots and green onions. Stir thoroughly to coat the vegetables with the sauce.

  • Serve right away and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Making coleslaw is much more frugal than buying it at the store. Once you see how easy it is to make, I think you will agree that it is worth making it at home.

Notes: If you like creamier coleslaw, you can double the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper for this recipe to create more sauce.

Also, to save time, you can also use a prepackaged coleslaw mix.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 95kcal, Carbohydrates 7g, Protein 1g, Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 3mg, Sodium 107mg, Potassium 248mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 4g, Vitamin A 4390IU, Vitamin C 43.6mg, Calcium 40mg, Iron 0.7mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (10)

More easy bbq recipes:

  • Quick and Easy BBQ Baked Beans
  • Foil pack grilled potatoes
  • Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe.
  • London Broil Marinade
  • Easy Grilled BBQ Ranch Chicken Recipe
  • Grilled chicken kabob recipe

Try these other recipes

Recipe by Cooking Method

Jalapeño Corn Casserole

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Easy Appetizer

Fried Zucchini

Easy Side Dishes

How to Grill Corn on the Cob in the Husk

Easy Slow Cooker

Crockpot Applesauce

Easy Side Dishes

Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes

Easy Salad

Corn Salad

Easy Slow Cooker

Crockpot Yogurt

About the Author

The BEST Coleslaw recipe (19)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
The BEST Coleslaw recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do I keep my coleslaw from getting watery? ›

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. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt.

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

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 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.

Why do you soak shredded cabbage? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water.

Should cabbage be washed before making coleslaw? ›

Cabbage. The outer layer isn't going to be eaten—the leaves are tougher and undesirable to many—so why wash cabbage? There's a good reason: Worms or other insects could be inside the cabbage, so to be safe, follow these steps for cleaning and washing it.

What can I add to store-bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

Why does my coleslaw taste weird? ›

Of course, slivering or dicing cabbage to make coleslaw also ruptures plant cell walls, so the same reaction is triggered. At first, any bitterness may seem pleasantly tangy as the salad's dressing mellows cabbage flavors. After a while, however, the released mustard oils definitely become more noticeable and pungent.

What cancels bitterness? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

Who makes good 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.

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.

What is the most unhealthy thing from KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

Amish Vinegar Slaw or Old Fashioned Coleslaw is lighter and tangier than a classic mayo based slaw. 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'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.

Which country invented coleslaw? ›

The dish was initially created in the Netherlands. In fact, the term coleslaw originates from the Dutch expression koosla, which means “cabbage salad.” Recipes similar to coleslaw have been found and used in American homes from as early as 1770.

How can I thicken my coleslaw? ›

Xanthan gum is a niche ingredient known to many gluten-free bakers for its thickening qualities. This is why we recommend using the powder as a thickening agent in a coleslaw recipe.

Is watery coleslaw OK to eat? ›

Why is my coleslaw watery? As it sits, the salt in the dressing will draw out the water in your coleslaw. This is perfectly normal and to be expected! If you don't care for watery coleslaw, try eating it soon after preparing (within a day or so).

What is the best way to store coleslaw? ›

If you use a vinegar and oil-based dressing or are happy to add the dressing after the coleslaw veggies have thawed, then freezing is a great way to store excess coleslaw! Freezing is a good option if you have more than a 2 day's supply or need to have some ready for a party or gathering.

How long should coleslaw sit in the fridge? ›

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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 6589

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.