An easy Classic Coleslaw Recipe with crisp cabbage and carrots in a creamy, sweet and tangy homemade dressing. Coleslaw is the perfect side dish for potlucks, parties and cookouts.

Classic recipes like Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad, timeless Egg Salad and of course homemade coleslaw never go out of style. Sometimes the simplest recipes are truly the best. 

Traditional coleslaw in a bowl with a side of coleslaw dressing.

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Hey, hey. Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our traditional coleslaw recipe.

Coleslaw Recipe:

Though you can purchase a store-bought coleslaw mix and dressing, nothing beats the homemade version. Not only is it so easy and quick to make, it requires minimal ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge. Crunchy shredded cabbage with carrots in a creamy dressing – so good!

Mix-In Ideas:

Once you have a great coleslaw base, you can spruce it up with different flavors and textures. Try mix-ins like:

  • Sliced apples
  • Dried cranberries or raisins
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Sliced almonds

Coleslaw salad in a bowl with a spoon topped with greens.

How to Make Coleslaw-

Unlike most salads that are time-consuming, coleslaw is really quick to make and can be completely ready in just 10 minutes!

  • Shred the cabbage and grate the carrots.
  • Combine the ingredients for the homemade dressing.
  • Add the dressing to the mixed salad and enjoy!

How to Shred Cabbage:

You can either shred the cabbage with a mandolin slicer or by hand with a sharp knife. If you like your coleslaw shredded fine and uniform in size, use a mandolin slicer. If you prefer chunky cabbage, shredding by hand will work.

We used our favorite julienne slicer for the carrots.

Shredded cabbage, cabbots and green onions in a bowl before it's mixed for coleslaw.

Coleslaw Dressing:

A good coleslaw dressing can really make or break a recipe. This homemade slaw dressing is amazing, it’s creamy and tangy and not overly sweet. I love that the dressing only uses 5 ingredients! To prepare the dressing, combine all of the ingredients until well incorporated and creamy.

  • MAYO – the creamy base of the dressing.
  • ACIDITY – you can use either the classic apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or white vinegar. (TIP: if substituting for ACV or vinegar, you’ll need about 4 tsp, or to taste)
  • SWEET – granulated sugar or honey may be used, or a combination of both.

What Goes with Coleslaw?

The beauty of coleslaw is that it’s so versatile! It can be served as a side, or a salad to good Burger or even great piled onto a BBQ Chicken or Pulled Pork sandwich.

Coleslaw chopped and mixed in bowl

Can you Make Coleslaw in Advance?

Yes, coleslaw is great to prepare in advance. If you’re making it for a party or brunch, prepare the salad per instructions and keep the salad unmixed and covered, keep the dressing in a container. Before serving, mix the salad and add the dressing.

How Long Will Coleslaw Last in the Refrigerator?

For the best quality and flavor, keep the coleslaw covered and refrigerated. It will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. NOTE: Cabbage does not freeze well, therefore, freezing the coleslaw isn’t a good idea.

Try These Other Salad Recipes:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Coleslaw recipe with Homemade Dressing

4.99 from 60 votes
Author: Valentina Ablaev
Coleslaw in bowl with dressing on the side
The easiest homemade coleslaw recipe. Shredded white and red cabbage with carrots in a sweet and tangy creamy homemade dressing. This 10-minute recipe will win you over.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 5 servings, as a side

coleslaw-

  • 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
  • 1 large carrot, grated or julienned
  • 1 green onion, finely chopped

dressing-

Instructions

  • Finely shred white and red cabbage. Grate the carrot. Finely chop green onion.
  • Combine the ingredients for the coleslaw dressing.
  • In a bowl, toss the salad then add dressing and mix to combine.

Nutrition Per Serving

251kcal Calories12g Carbs2g Protein23g Fat4g Saturated Fat13mg Cholesterol332mg Sodium197mg Potassium2g Fiber9g Sugar2520IU Vitamin A39.2mg Vitamin C39mg Calcium0.6mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Coleslaw recipe with Homemade Dressing
Amount per Serving
Calories
251
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Cholesterol
 
13
mg
4
%
Sodium
 
332
mg
14
%
Potassium
 
197
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
12
g
4
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
2520
IU
50
%
Vitamin C
 
39.2
mg
48
%
Calcium
 
39
mg
4
%
Iron
 
0.6
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coleslaw
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 251

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Amira
    February 10, 2024

    Huge hit at our family potluck. Now part of our weekly side rotation! Thanks for the great recipe.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 11, 2024

      You’re very welcome, Amira!

      Reply

  • Michele
    September 2, 2023

    Just what I was looking for, Natasha, thanks! My family likes it with a chopped red apple in the mix. I want to serve this with grilled flank steak. What other side would you suggest I make to round out our BBQ lunch

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 2, 2023

      Hi Michele! That sounds great. Mashed potatoes or potato salad both sound like great sides. I have a recipe for both of those, use the search bar at the top of the page.

      Reply

  • Sherry
    July 11, 2023

    Hi.. really this Came out gr8
    Thx❤️
    Keep up the gr8 work👏🏽

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 11, 2023

      I’m happy to hear that, Sherry!

      Reply

  • Marina
    February 22, 2023

    Love this recipe! Added walnuts and cranberries. Delicious. Will make again.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 22, 2023

      Sounds delicious! I’m glad you loved it. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Beth L
    December 19, 2022

    I got rave reviews at a Christmas party with this recipe. I only had green cabbage, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, almonds and this dressing (with ACV). So flexible and delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 19, 2022

      I’m so glad it was a hit, Beth!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Carol
    August 24, 2022

    This looks delicious. If I substitute sugar for honey, how much sugar in total should I use? Love your recipes.
    Thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 24, 2022

      Hi Carol! Yes, you can use sugar in place of honey. Equal amounts would be fine or used to your preference of sweetness.

      Reply

  • Charlotte Zwolski Menker
    July 11, 2022

    Great coleslaw! And thanks for including the nutritional values.
    Do you have a cookbook yet!?!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 11, 2022

      Thank you! You’re welcome. My cookbook is still in process, Fall 2023 is the expected release.

      Reply

  • Lena
    July 3, 2022

    Best coleslaw ever!! Not too mayonnaise-ey, has a tart bite, not too sweet. Mmm mmm mmm! New summer go to!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 3, 2022

      Awesome feedback, Lena. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  • john roberts
    May 16, 2022

    see now, this is good but my grandma’s is the best.

    depending on how much you want. finely slice half of a red & white cabbage. finely slice 2 white onions, grate 4 large carrots. mix all in a bowl & add a table spoon of caster sugar. mix together & leave for 30 mins at least. the sugar will bring out the natural flavours of the veg.
    then add 2 tablespoons of salad cream. some may prefer mayo but salad cream gives a nice tang. mix well leave for another 30 mins and ………….. oh yeah this is it. maybe add a grind or two of black pepper but is good as is……………enjoy, you are welcome :o)

    if you want the best ever potato salad, just ask ….. :o)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      May 16, 2022

      Hi John, I’d love to try it but what is salad cream? Did you mean sour cream?

      Reply

      • JoAnn
        May 21, 2022

        I can’t be sure (because I’ve never heard the term before), but I THINK “salad cream” may be Miracle Whip (or its equivalent).

        I’ll be making this (with Mayo, lol) this weekend for a Pot Luck. I’m sure it will be teriffic.

        Reply

      • Pamela Lewis
        May 30, 2022

        Salad cream is a British salad dressing made by Heinz,it can be purchased in any store that sell’s British groceries eg Safeway,Walmart or occasionally Co-op

        Reply

        • Natasha
          May 30, 2022

          That’s interesting! I haven’t seen that product but thank you for sharing. I’ll keep an eye out for it.

          Reply

          • Frenchy
            June 16, 2022

            Web search:
            Is Heinz Salad Cream the same as mayonnaise?

            They may have almost identical ingredients, but crucially they use different amounts of each to provide a notably different taste. Heinz Salad Cream uses more vinegar than oil whilst mayonnaise is the other way round. For example, in Heinz Salad Cream is just 22% Rapeseed Oil whilst Heinz mayonnaise is 68%

      • Sheila Davis
        August 28, 2023

        More than likely Miracle whip…that was the big go to back in the day.

        Reply

  • Jean A.
    April 9, 2022

    How do you keep the coleslaw from turning “pink” from the red cabbage when the dressing is added?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 11, 2022

      Hi Jean, keeping the red cabbage in moderation helps with the bleeding. We use more green cabbage than red. I have not tested any methods to reduce the bleeding but you could research this.

      Reply

  • Patricia Garcia
    July 28, 2021

    Very similar to The Fresh Market’s broccoli slaw, but they add finely chopped broccoli and Craisins.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 28, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

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