This traditional coleslaw recipe is an easy side dish made with shredded cabbage mix and creamy dressing – ready in 5 minutes!
Cole Slaw is the quintessential Summer Side Dish for your backyard barbecue. Other summer essentials include the best Milk Boiled Corn, Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, and the yummiest BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad ever!
Easy Cole Slaw, also known as Coleslaw, made in just 5 minutes with the perfect homemade dressing, is the ultimate side dish for summer because it gets even better the next day. Perfect for cookouts and planning ahead!
This classic Cole Slaw recipe is an easy barbecue side dish. Instead of spending a lot of money on grocery store Cole Slaw that could have been sitting there a week, you can make it at home with ingredients you can control!
If you speak to the head of deli department in your local grocery store, they’ll likely tell you that Cole Slaw comes in either pre-made or in two parts, mix and dressing. This is a way to have fresh Cole Slaw without the added preservatives you’ll find in packaged Cole Slaw dressings.
This recipe is loved so much that there are multiple creamy coleslaws on the site! One is KFC Coleslaw (Copycat) and the second is a personal favorite and unique cole slaw, Tony Roma’s Coleslaw made with a teaspoon celery seeds.
How to Make Easy Cole Slaw
Making your own Coleslaw from scratch can be as easy as pouring and mixing! And all the ingredients are pantry staples which means you’ll likely have the already at home! If not, you can easily find the ingredients in your local grocery store.
- Step One – Sauce: First, combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Step Two – Slaw: Mix the cabbage mixture into the sauce and voilá, cole slaw!
- Note: While this is technically ready to eat, we suggest letting it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours to really let the flavors set into the cabbage.
More Delicious Cabbage Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
The time required for chopping plus the leftovers of the cabbage make it an easy swap. In addition to that, sometimes buying the vegetables whole can costs almost twice as much as buying the pre-shredded bag. This recipe shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to put together the morning of your bbq, or the night before.
While this recipe takes only five minutes to put together, one of the most important things about Cole Slaw is letting it sit so that the dressing can soften the crunch of the cabbage. We recommend 2-4 hours. Even better if you can do it the night before. It’s a great dish to make ahead of time.
Cole Slaw is a dish that comes from the Netherlands. Its first presentation showed up in a cookbook there in 1770.
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Key Ingredients in Cole Slaw
Homemade Cole Slaw is made with just a few basic ingredients you probably already have! Check it out!
- Cabbage: We are using a pre-shredded cabbage mix in our recipe here. You can make your own using green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots. See below for the instructions on how to do this.
- Mayonnaise: This recipe calls for regular mayo. Some people prefer using Miracle Whip over mayo in this recipe which is fine.
- Vinegar: While the tablespoon vinegar used in this recipe is regular white vinegar since it is a bit stronger than others, you can used distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you prefer.
- Sugar: You can use white sugar or brown sugar. We are using white sugar in this recipe. Granulated sugar should be used with caution since the larger crunchy sugar crystals will need to dissolve really well before adding in the cabbage.
- Lemon Juice: We only use fresh squeezed lemon juice as it has the best flavor. The pre-bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, as can lime juice.
Can Cole Slaw be Made Ahead of Time?
The beautiful thing with Cole Slaw is that you can make it in advance! While it is still really yummy as soon as it is mixed together, making your Cole Slaw a day or two earlier and keeping it in the fridge will help bring all the flavors together and help them get into the cabbage mixture. Make sure it is sealed in an airtight container.
How to Make your own Cabbage Mixture for Cole Slaw
If you want to use your own mix for the coleslaw, follow these instructions.
- Green Cabbage: Cut up a full head of green cabbage into 4 large quarters using a sharp 8 inch chef’s knife. (There are a couple of branded DTD Knives left in stock – my personal favorites. Get one before they’re gone!) Taking care, thinly slice each of the quartered cabbage pieces. Discard the thick root part. One head of cabbage should make about 8 cups of shredded cabbage.
- Red Cabbage: Next, shred enough red cabbage to make 1 cup shredded red cabbage, about a 1/4th of a red cabbage head.
- Carrots: Lastly, using the julienne setting on your kitchen mandolin (or or one of the sharp chef knives mentioned before) slice 4 carrots into short, thin strips.
Variations and Substitutions on Cole Slaw Ingredients
Cabbage mix, mayo, lemon juice, and a touch of sugar are the basis for a good Cole Slaw. You can add or substitute other ingredients to make it your own!
- Fresh Herbs: Adding a few teaspoons of fresh mint chopped and diced green onion or sliced white onion will give this recipe a fun and herby kick!
- Mustard: Some people have found that adding a bit of mustard seeds or a tablespoon or two of dijon mustard to the mix really adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Mayo vs Miracle Whip: Mayo is really creamy while Miracle Whip is a bit sweeter. You can substitute Miracle Whip without issue if you prefer.
- Vinegar: You can use dill pickle juice as a really nice substitute for vinegar. If you have absolutely no other options, just use extra lemon juice.
- Sugar: Stevia is a good sweetner substitute, as is dark brown sugar.
- Salt: Celery salt is an incredible way to give this dish more flavor without overpowering the tastebuds.
More Great Summer Side Dishes
How to Store Cole Slaw
- Serve: For best results, make sure to refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving, serve chilled, and don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours.
- Store: Cole Slaw can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. If it starts to break down, add more coleslaw mix to keep it fresh longer.
- Freeze: Coleslaw doesn’t freeze well, so just throw it out and make a fresh batch when needed.
Ingredients
- 14 ounce coleslaw mix with red cabbage and carrots*
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, white vinegar, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl and whisk together until fully combined.
- Add in the coleslaw mix and stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Because the hubs and I are type 2 diabetic I had to make 1 substitution.
Rather than 2 T. sugar used equivalent amount of stevia.
And it was delicious!
Easy and tastes great!
Quick easy and delicious
Hadn’t made coleslaw for a long very time
Braised cabbage was my go to cabbage recipe
Will be definitely making coleslaw again
This is my favorite go to recipe for cole slaw. My family of five LOVES it so much. Thank you for such a great recipe site. I look forward to finding more wonderful recipes. God bless.
Delicious. I added chopped red peppers and shredded carrots. Will definitely make again.
Lovley! So happy you enjoyed this recipe.
This coleslaw was perfect on so many levels… soooo good.
Hi Sabrina, This recipe which is second time making for my husband & says is excellent. (i do not like coleslaw or anything made with “raw” cabbage) I can say that I’ve tried your Asian recipes and they are the best ones yet on Pinterest. I know if i get recipe from you, it’s going to be a “keeper”.
Family lovvved this recipe. Thank you. I have made a lot of recipes that are on your sight and they never disappoint. ALL KEEPERS
This was the exact kind of recipe I was looking for. Sooo good! I had leftover shredded cabbage and brussel sprouts, so this was the perfect dish to make to use those up. I did add one shredded carrot, and then added a few more TBS of mayo to make it creamier.
I added celery, green pepper, toasted pumpkin seeds, and dried mustard. Very tasty!
This is so simple and PERFECT!! Love it!!
Excellent. I had left over bagged “cole slaw” mix from a fish taco recipe and this worked perfectly.
I’m looking forward to using your recipe for coleslaw
Absolutely delicious…I added a tsp of mustard, celery seeds and substituted 2 tbs 0f sweet pickle relish instead of salt, sugar and vinegar. I will never buy cole slaw again.
I’m so glad you were able to customize it more to your liking. Thanks for the 5 stars, Maytwone.
I’ve been making this Cole slaw recipe for years I love it easy and delicious my alway go to coke slaw recipe. My neighbor loves Cole slaw, I always make sure to delivery across the street a container. I have this recipe in my notes so i go right to it.
Thank you again for another great recipe.
Laurna
This is very similar to my coleslaw, but I add a little celery seed. Really takes it to the next level.
I agree.
This was good, but waaay too sweet for me and I started with half the sugar suggested. Added some more mayo and lime juice to adjust. I’d say start with a little sugar and add more if you want it sweeter..
I like to add julienne slices of apple to the mixture above equal to the carrots.
Huh, what’s great idea! Glad I was scrolling through the reviews!
Delicious
Excellent!! I only let the slaw rest for about 10-15 minutes as we like it crunchy. I have also added poppy and/or caraway seeds – delicious!
This is my go to cole slaw recipe. Sometimes I switch it up and substitute fresh lime juice and a tablespoon of chipotle puree for a southwestern flair. My husband loves it!
Good recipe that tasted better than expected. The lime juice really gave it a unique flavor. I added some minced onions to the mix
Came out really well! Only change I made is I added a little bit chopped onions and let the coleslaw sit. I love onions so just had to incorporate them lol. Simple and delish! Perfect with crispy chicken sandwiches. Thank you.
Sounds amazing, Sar. Thanks for the 5 stars.
Best coleslaw dressing ever. This is the only one I will ever use! Thank you!
Thanks for the 5 stars, Lisa.
Thank you for sharing. It looks so yummy.
Looks yummy. I’ve tried to make this for my family, and my family really love it. I will introduce your recipe for my friends. Thank you so much. I love it.
What can I use instead of vinegar? And is it ok to completely remove that ingredient, will it taste ok without it? Thanks!
If you decide to leave it out, I would substitute it with either more lemon or lime juice. Good luck!
Simple and excellent, making it with your bake beans as well, just tasted both, just perfect. I bookmarked this site to use as a future reference. Thank you Sabrina.
Thank you for the 5 stars, Michael.
Very easy recipe. Delicious whole family loved it . Never buy store bought again. It’s a keeper.
Thank you for sharing.
Anne.
This is a great staring base recipe. I’ve tweaked it a couple times. A little less sugar. Cut the Mayo a bit. Added some celery seed. But I use this as my go to every time. Thanks
Glad you were able to customize it more to your liking.
used this for our bbq today. thanks for the great recipe!
Made this tonight….love it! Just tart enough and not too mayonaisy. Will be my go to for slaw!!!
Best Coleslaw Ever! I usually dislike coleslaw intensely but I love this recipe. It has great seasoning.
wow im very interested to know cooking your recipe … thanks for sharing …
This is such a good base for a slaw. It is so easy and so good. I make this at least once a week. I adjust it a little: less mayo, apple cider vinegar rather than white, and I don’t put in black pepper because my daughter won’t eat it if she knows there’s pepper in it. If I have celery and a little time, I’ll shred some into it. Can’t thank you enough.
My husband is a coleslaw lover and absolutely loved this recipe. He loved the tanginess with a little sweetness in the background. Definitely saving this recipe. Thank you!!
Yummy!
Thank you for posting this easy and delicious recipe! Used the Trader Joe’s 9 oz. bag of organic green and red cabbage, and carrots. No white vinegar on hand so substituted apple cider vinegar. Add-ins were 1/2 grated honey crisp apple and 1/4 tsp celery seeds. Great summer side!
Easy and delicious
I made the Cole Slaw with store-bought mix of both white and red cabbage and carrots,
using your recipe for dressing. Exactly as written. My husband and I both enjoyed it
very much. It was creamy, great-tasting and very easy to make !
Next time, I will add even less Mayo and maybe try adding regular table or sea salt in
place of kosher one. To experiment a little. Mayo can be reduced for sure, to my taste.
It’s a great recipe ! Thank you very much, Sabrina !
Loved dressing . Used rice wine vinegar in place of white vinegar. I add black raisins , good handful, and one carrot and apple grated. B
Great
This is my go-to coleslaw recipe – it’s just perfect. I make it exactly as directed and always have happy eaters.
Delicious! So easy, simple ingredients and so tasty! Thank you!!
My husband & I love this recipe! I use seasoned rice wine vinegar, which is sweet in itself, so I cut the sugar down to 1 tbsp. I also add more carrots & red cabbage than what comes in the grocery cabbage mix. Delicious!
This was so unexpectedly good!!! Picked this over the recipes on the internet because it had the most basic ingredients which I had in my pantry.
I would suggest to only adjust for taste after it has been chilled. I followed the recipe to the letter and it tasted too sour when I first put it together. Let it chill and let the sourness mellow down before judging if you need to add more salt, pepper or sugar etc.
I was thinking I’d add some sugar before consuming it, but after spending a few hours in the fridge it tasted perfect and I didn’t need to adjust! Will definitely make this again.
Thank you, Nikki A, for your suggestion on waiting for this to chill first. Great recipe and great suggestion.
Wow , this is so easy and tastes delicious
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Peggy. Thank you for the 5 star rating.
Great coleslaw dressing. I chopped my own green cabbage, a bit of red cabbage, and grated some carrot to make my own mix. My husband is a Type 2 diabetic, so I used Erythritol instead of sugar. We will eat it with leftover baked cod for tacos.
Owsumm
Super-simple but perfect! This worked great with our Shrimp Tacos.
Thanks for the 5 stars.
This stuff is GREAT!! So easy and so good for you! I don’t use the mix-I get cabbage and carrots for free! Shred in food processer and add the other stuff.Once in a while I drizzle a little balsamic on it- so good!!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I have NEVER liked coleslaw (or potato salad) but after I mixed this recipe together I couldn’t wait to eat a bowl. I did add an extra 1 1/2tbsp. sugar because I did want it a bit sweeter but OMG it’s good. The bowl of coleslaw may not survive until dinner tonight haha
My first time making my own coleslaw, can’t stand the store bought. Cut my own cabbage and carrot, and it was excellent. Followed the recipe to a “T”. There might be better recipes out there, but this is my go to for sure. Thanks from all of us at home.
Very good. Not fancy nothing to right home about but just what you think of when you want slaw
Greatly appreciated, finally a quick recipe I can make with the things I have a lot home and still ENJOY! FIRST TIME making my own coleslaw, it’s something I on again off again crave (especially now that I’m super pregnant) and it’s nice to be able to just do this and go on about my day.