Best Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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This easy coleslaw recipe really is the best! The creamy, savory dressing and crunchy veggies make it totally irresistible.

Best Coleslaw Recipe (1)

This coleslaw recipe is so good, it will top your “foods I love” list. It’s crunchy, it’s savory, it’s creamy, and it’s tangy and sweet. When we first made it, I realized: I don’t just like coleslaw, I love coleslaw. This recipe is totally balanced in sweet and savory flavors, with the cool crunch of cabbage and carrot. It’s also got a healthy spin: there’s no refined sugar and less mayo than most coleslaw recipes. We found ourselves going back to the fridge for seconds and thirds. Here’s the recipe: and bonus, we’ve got a video showing you how to shred cabbage: the right way.

Related: 15 Summer Side Dishes You Need

Best Coleslaw Recipe (2)

What’s the definition of coleslaw?

Coleslaw is simply a salad of shredded cabbage tossed with a dressing. It can be either a vinaigrette (like in our Vinegar Coleslaw) or mayonnaise-based dressing. Here in the Midwestern US, it seems like every family has their own coleslaw recipe! So making the “best” or “correct” coleslaw is pretty subjective.

Funny enough, my family didn’t make a ton of coleslaw when I was growing up. But it was always present at picnics and potlucks throughout my childhood. There are lots of takes on a coleslaw recipe: from the vinaigrette version to the super sweet kind that’s so creamy it’s hard to even eat a few bites.

Best Coleslaw Recipe (3)

Why this one is the best coleslaw recipe

What about this easy coleslaw recipe makes it “the best”? Well, Alex and my favorite type of coleslaw is a creamy coleslaw. So we came up with this Best Coleslaw Dressing: it’s got tons of flavor and a healthy spin too. Here’s what makes it “the best”:

  • It’s got less mayo than the standard coleslaw. We love the nostalgia of creamy coleslaw so we’ve used mayo here. But it’s less mayo than the standard recipe! It’s just enough to get that savory salty flavor.
  • The sweetness is balanced. A good coleslaw recipe has a balance of savory and sweet–but it can’t be too sweet! Some coleslaw recipes are loaded with sugar. This one’s got just the right amount.
  • It’s got secret spices for the win: chili powder and dill! Using these two ingredients in a coleslaw recipe isn’t standard. But while they’re not part of the typical coleslaw, using them here adds a unique savory undertone that really makes it the best ever.

What else to do with cabbage? Go to our Top Cabbage Recipes.

Best Coleslaw Recipe (4)

How to make coleslaw

This homemade coleslaw recipe has just a few simple steps to make it! This coleslaw is great fresh, but you can also store it 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator (the cabbage will become less crunchy over time.) Here are the basic steps:

  1. Step 1: You’ll first need to shred the cabbage and carrots (you can purchase a pre-shredded coleslaw mix, if desired).
  2. Step 2: Whisk together the creamy coleslaw dressing, made with mayo, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, chili powder, and dill.
  3. Step 3: Toss everything together in a large bowl.

Video: How to cut cabbage

The only challenging part about making a coleslaw recipe is how to cut the cabbage! Alex and I have recently learned a trick to cutting cabbage that makes it much easier to cut. Before I knew this trick, I would hack at a cabbage until I got some “shreds.” Sometimes my knife would slip and they’d be super uneven. This trick makes this coleslaw recipe or a cabbage salad a breeze:

  1. Remove any outer layers of the cabbage that seem tough or are not fresh, and discard them. With a large chef’s knife, slice off the root of the cabbage.
  2. Cut the cabbagein half through the stem. Then cut it into quarters.
  3. Remove the root of the cabbage by cutting it out with two diagonal slices.
  4. Thinlyslice the cabbagein the short direction, using a circular motion with the knife.

Coleslaw variations

Love coleslaw but want something other than the classic? Once you’ve made this coleslaw recipe, make all these tasty variations:

  • Red Cabbage Slaw This side dish has a short ingredient list and comes together in a flash.
  • Easy Vinegar ColeslawThis one’s got no mayo! This tangy vinegar dressing is a perfect pair for crunchy cabbage.
  • Mexican ColeslawGo Mexican-style with this slaw that features lime, cilantro and cumin. (It’s perfect intacos!)
  • Easy Cabbage Salad All you need is 6 ingredients, and the tangy flavor makes it a total crowd pleaser.
  • Broccoli SlawWhy not make coleslaw…with broccoli stems? This variation is irresistibly fresh and crunchy.

Are you convinced to try our easy coleslaw recipe? Want to try your hand at our method for how to cut cabbage? Let us know if you try it, and what you think in the comments below!

This coleslaw recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free. For vegan and plant-based, use vegan mayo.

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Best Coleslaw Recipe (5)

*Best* Coleslaw Recipe

★★★★★5 from 1 review
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This easy coleslaw recipe really is the best! The creamy, savory dressing and crunchy veggies make it totally irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/2 head green cabbage, enough for 4 cups shredded*
  • 1/2 head red cabbage, enough for 4 cups shredded
  • 1 carrot, enough for 1 cup shredded
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Shred the cabbage.
  2. Shred the carrot, using a grater or a handheld julienne shredder.
  3. Make the coleslaw dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, dill, chili powder, and salt. Keep whisking after the mayo gets lumpy, until the mixture comes to a creamy consistency.
  4. Mix the cabbage, carrots and coleslaw dressing together and serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving. (The coleslaw is best fresh, but can be stored refrigerated for up to 1 day.)

Notes

*Note: this equates to about 20 ounces of vegetables or about 1.5 pounds of bagged coleslaw mix

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Raw
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Coleslaw recipe, Easy coleslaw recipe, Simple coleslaw recipe, What is coleslaw, Side Dish Recipes, Gluten-Free Side Dish Recipes, Dairy-Free Side Dish Recipes

Looking for side dish recipes?

Outside of this coleslaw recipe, here are a few more side dish recipes we love:

  • Go To Quinoa Salad
  • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
  • Incredible No Mayo Potato Salad
  • Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
  • Perfectly Creamy Polenta (or Vegan Polenta)
  • Grilled Caesar Salad
  • Seriously Simple Three Bean Salad
  • Seasoned Baked Potato Wedges
  • Caribbean Black Bean Salad
  • Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Pomegranate
  • Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Sweet Potato Hash Browns
  • 10 Summer Salads You Need Now
  • Related: Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich with Coleslaw

Last updated: June 2020

vegan vegetarian gluten free

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

  • Recipes

Tagged with:

  • Cabbage
  • Coleslaw
  • Dairy-Free
  • Dressing
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Plant-Based
  • Salad
  • Summer
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Vegetarian Recipes

About the authors

Best Coleslaw Recipe (6)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

About Us

Best Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste, with a creamy texture. The dressing is made with a blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, and spices, which gives it its distinct flavor. The coleslaw also contains shredded cabbage and carrots, which add a crisp and fresh texture to the dish.

How does Jamie Oliver make coleslaw? ›

Peel the onion and shallot, and slice as finely as you can, along with the cabbage, if using. Add these to the bowl of veg. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and mustard. Pick the herb leaves and chop, then stir into the dressing.

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

Coleslaw dressing can be spicy with chili powder or cayenne pepper, and chopped jalapeños or peperoncini can be added to the sauce or mixed among the vegetables. Seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, dried ginger, and dry mustard can add a good amount of spice for those who prefer less heat.

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

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'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.

Is it better to make coleslaw the day before? ›

Store coleslaw in the refrigerator, covered, for up to three days. You can make this coleslaw ahead of time to help blend the flavors, but the dressing will become thin over time as liquid releases from the cabbage. Whisking in extra mayonnaise can help fluff up the dressing before serving.

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.

How do you doctor up store bought coleslaw? ›

It's sweet and sour, so thin the mayo with vinegar, white, apple cider or rice wine are the best choices. Sugar or agave nectar are good choices of sweeteners. Flavor wise, chopped pickle relish, celery seeds, a touch of Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and sour cream are all common.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Cabbage Core:Issue: The core of the cabbage can be bitter, especially if it's not removed before shredding. Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste.

How do you pimp up shop bought coleslaw? ›

Minced red bell pepper, minced dill pickle or cornichon, minced parsley, some sour cream, white balsamic and a little lemon juice to cut through the often way-too-sweet storebought stuff.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Flavor wise, chopped pickle relish, celery seeds, a touch of Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and sour cream are all common. Just mix everything together and go! Is there a good substitute for white vinegar in this recipe? Add apple cider vinegar if you do not like the white vinegar.

When should you dress coleslaw? ›

Then you add vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. A bit of salt and pepper finishes off a classic, creamy, tangy dressing. When should you dress coleslaw? For the ideal coleslaw, add dressing to coleslaw no more than 30 minutes before serving.

What is the difference between Eastern and Western coleslaw? ›

Unlike Lexington style, Eastern style contains no tomatoes. It is purely vinegar and pepper which is used to season after cooking. The coleslaw is also different, swapping out the red for a white mayonnaise-based sauce.

Does KFC have good coleslaw? ›

If you've been to Kentucky Fried Chicken, chances are good that you've tasted their famous coleslaw. As a side dish for a chicken dinner or barbecue, it doesn't get much better than a creamy crunchy slaw and KFC's does theirs just right.

Why does KFC taste better cold? ›

Those who eschewed heating up their chilled chicken in favor of chowing down right away would have seen how the chicken's breading remained crisp while the interior deepened in flavor. When fried chicken starts to cool down, the skin contracts and bonds itself to the meat.

Is coleslaw healthy from KFC? ›

KFC coleslaw contains a moderate amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. It also provides some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and vitamin K. However, it is important to note that KFC coleslaw is high in sodium and sugar, which can be a concern for those on a restricted diet.

What makes KFC so tasty? ›

KFC's iconic flavor is the result of a blend of 11 herbs and spices, the original recipe of which is a closely guarded secret. The combination of seasonings creates a savory, crispy and spicy taste that has made KFC a popular fast food chain around the world.

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