Creamy Coleslaw

Learn how to make the BEST homemade coleslaw! Filled with red and green cabbage, carrots, and green onions, this easy recipe is healthy and delicious.

Coleslaw Recipe

This easy coleslaw recipe is great for just about any occasion—a weeknight dinner, a cookout, or a fun picnic lunch. Like all my favorite summer recipes, it’s packed with colorful veggies, and a lightly creamy, tangy dressing ties the whole thing together. It comes together in minutes, and it keeps well if you make it ahead of time. Just add veggie burgers, and you’ve got a perfect summer meal!

Coleslaw recipe ingredients

Coleslaw Recipe Ingredients

You only need a few basic ingredients to make this homemade coleslaw recipe! I like to think of it in two parts: the coleslaw mix and the dressing.

To simplify this coleslaw recipe, you can use store-bought coleslaw mix, but I like to make my own. I use these ingredients to give it a variety of colors, textures, and flavors:

  • Cabbage – I use a mix of red and green cabbage, but just one will work here too. To shred cabbage, thinly slice it with a sharp knife or mandoline.
  • Carrots – They add extra color and a light sweetness. Instead of shredding the carrots on a box grater, use a vegetable peeler to slice them into thin strips.
  • Scallions – You won’t find them in packaged coleslaw mix, but I love their fresh, oniony flavor and green hue.

That’s it for the veggies! Now, you need these ingredients to make the coleslaw dressing:

  • Mayo – Make this recipe vegan by substituting store-bought or homemade vegan mayo.
  • Apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard – They give the dressing tangy depth of flavor.
  • Maple syrup – It balances the assertive mustard and vinegar.
  • Celery seeds – These little guys give this coleslaw recipe delicious savory flavor. If you don’t have them on hand, they’re worth investing in. I love them in my deviled eggs, egg salad, and potato salad, too!

Just add salt and pepper to make the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Coleslaw dressing

How to Make Coleslaw

Making this coleslaw recipe couldn’t be easier! Here’s what you need to do:

First, make the dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth!

Red and green cabbage, carrots, and scallions in a bowl

Then, combine the veggies. Add the scallions, red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrot to a large bowl, and toss to combine.

Finally, mix it all together! Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture, and toss to coat. Season to taste, and enjoy!

If you want to get ahead, you can prep this recipe up to a day before you plan to eat it. The flavors meld and the veggies soften slightly as it sits, so it’s extra creamy and flavorful on day 2.

Tossing coleslaw mix with dressing

Coleslaw Serving Suggestions

Serve this classic coleslaw recipe as a side dish at summer potlucks and barbecues. It pairs well with these recipes:

If you’re looking for another side dish to round out the meal, I recommend grilled corn, grilled asparagus, grilled zucchini, or these grilled veggies. My watermelon salad, strawberry salad, or a simple fruit salad would be a great choice too.

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!

Easy Coleslaw

More Favorite Summer Salads

If you love this easy coleslaw recipe, try one of these summer salads next:

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Creamy Coleslaw

rate this recipe:
4.99 from 62 votes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
This easy coleslaw recipe is the perfect summer side dish! For the best results, use really good store bought mayonnaise, like Sir Kensington's, or make your own.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Make the coleslaw dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, apple cider vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, celery seeds, salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper.
  • Make the coleslaw. In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, carrots, and scallions. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, as desired.

59 comments

4.99 from 62 votes (40 ratings without comment)

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Sandi
    05.25.2024

    5 stars
    A total hit amongst adults and children. Was immediately asked for the recipe. Served with slow-cooked lamb.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.29.2024

      I’m so glad everyone loved it!

  2. Victoria
    05.19.2024

    5 stars
    I just made this to share at our family’s Sunday bbq. Flavourful slaw, not too creamy with a nice tang from the vinegar. Was tasty as a condiment with our sausages. Will make again.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      05.22.2024

      Hi Victoria, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Sasha
    03.28.2024

    5 stars
    I just made this. It is so delicious that my toddler loves it too!!!

  4. Rebecca Neustel
    03.07.2024

    I don’t care for the taste of maple syrup in most dressings, so I used agave nectar. It was very good, and I completely agree with adding celery seeds. I put them in my potato salad, too.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.08.2024

      Hi Rebecca, I’m so glad you loved the coleslaw!

  5. Diane
    02.17.2024

    Made this for a family dinner – it was a hit with everyone. I especially love the touch of maple syrup.?

  6. zac
    02.06.2024

    This was great. I had a leftover half a head of red cabbage and now I have more slaw than I can probably eat, but it is really good. I didn’t have maple syrup on hand so I just dabbed in a little sugar.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      02.09.2024

      Hi Zac, I’m so glad you loved the coleslaw!

  7. Daniela
    01.23.2024

    How long does the dressing last in the fridge?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.27.2024

      Hi Daniela – about a week.

      • Amanda
        05.10.2024

        5 stars
        Wow…I made this exactly as shown, it is amazing . Thank you

        • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
          05.10.2024

          Hi Amanda, I’m so glad you loved the coleslaw!

  8. Andrew Spada
    11.19.2023

    5 stars
    I was looking for a creamy coleslaw recipe to go with some fish sandwiches, and this was incredible. Perfect tang and sweetness. Highly recommend, and is going in my rotation!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      11.19.2023

      I’m so glad it was a hit!

  9. Mrs. A
    07.04.2023

    5 stars
    Craving coleslaw today and found your recipe. I chose it because of the celery seed and maple syrup. Whipped it together and used a hefty half bag of tri color slaw and I am in complete bliss. Exactly the flavor I was imagining and in less than 10 minutes I have taste buds rejoicing. Rest is in the fridge combining until actual suppertime lol. Thank you!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.06.2023

      I’m so glad you loved it!

    • George Hansen
      09.30.2023

      Hi,
      How many of the bagged Coleslaw mix would you got for this recipi?
      Best,
      George

  10. Cathy
    04.16.2023

    5 stars
    I originally found your site in search of perfect hard boiled eggs. Now when I need a recipe I always search your site, thank you for you wisdom & for providing vegan options that taste heavenly. I did use regular mayo for your coleslaw and it turned out deliciously – to everyone: DO add the green onions it makes a big difference!!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      04.20.2023

      Aww thanks for your comment! I’m so glad you’re loving the recipes.

  11. Carli
    02.19.2023

    5 stars
    Love this – favourite creamy coleslaw I’ve made yet

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      02.20.2023

      I’m so happy to hear!

  12. Karen J.
    07.31.2022

    Hello – Love your recipes!! Is there nutrition information available anywhere? Thank you!

  13. Chris
    01.31.2022

    4 stars
    My beautiful wife made this,and it’s perfect.

    • Shauna
      04.06.2023

      Why did you only give it four stars if it was perfect?

  14. PJ
    06.25.2021

    5 stars
    Until now, I was just eye-balling the amounts of mayo in creamy coleslaw and adding a little sour cream. When I had celery stalks at hand, I used them.
    But the I followed your recipe, with celery seeds and maple sirup and apple vinegar and I liked it so much, I made a second batch a few days later 😀
    The second time I put some greek yoghurt in it, I had 2 tablespoons sitting t the bottom of a huge cpontainer and I wanted to get rid of it – no one noticed 😉
    But I may add my “special ingredient” – cellery stalks – when I have them at hand the next time.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      06.25.2021

      Ha, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this recipe and the variations of it!

  15. Tiffani
    11.18.2020

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it’s pretty darn good! I halved the recipe since I’m only 1 person. I also substituted less honey for the maple syrup -didn’t have any. Every thing else was the same. It’s going to be great with my pulled pork sammy. Thanks!

  16. Triz Tan Barreno
    07.15.2020

    My mom loves vegetable and I think she will like it. Thank you for sharing!

  17. Oh my goodness does this look tasty! I used to not like coleslaw so much. But then I realized that coleslaw tastes amazing when eaten within a sandwich rather than as a side. Adds so much crunch and flavor. Can’t wait to try this beautiful dish of yours!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.12.2020

      I hope you love it!

  18. Aquamarine Girl
    06.30.2020

    It looks so simple and so tasty. Thanks for the idea!

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.