Coleslaw is a creamy and crisp side dish made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a cool flavor-packed dressing.

It’s excellent for barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings, next to sandwiches, tacos, and much more.

The secret to the best coleslaw is all in the dressing, which we make with a combination of mayonnaise and Greek-style yogurt to boost creaminess and protein and reduce calories.

Coleslaw served in a white bowl

What’s so special about this coleslaw?

You’ll love our homemade coleslaw because it’s easy to make with simple ingredients, and you can make it in advance.

Best of all, it’s tasty and indulgent while being light and refreshing.

burger with coleslaw and BBQ tofu
Creamy coleslaw with BBQ Tofu and homemade BBQ sauce (It’s out of this world).

As mentioned, we make the dressing with half mayo and half Greek yogurt.

By the way, it’s the same dressing we use in our broccoli cauliflower salad and dill potato salad, and you guys loved it!

Coleslaw serving suggestion

The yogurt makes all the difference. The recipe turns out much lighter and with a bit more while retaining all flavor and creaminess.

Seasoned with mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar, our coleslaw dressing is the perfect balance of sweet, cool, and tangy.

It’ll make your shredded cabbage taste divine.

Ingredients for coleslaw

coleslaw ingredients

Quantities are in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Cabbage

We like to use both green cabbage and red cabbage, but you can also use only one of the two.

You can purchase a coleslaw mix to save some time.

Carrot

We use regular orange carrots and grate them with the large holes of a box grater. Carrots add a pleasant, sweet flavor to this easy coleslaw recipe.

Parsley

Parsley adds freshness and a pleasant herby aroma. You can keep it out if you prefer.

Coleslaw dressing

ingredients for coleslaw dressing
  • Mayonnaise: You can use regular mayo or vegan mayo.
  • Greek-style yogurt: Full-fat, low-fat, and non-dairy yogurt; they all work well.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Cabbage loves acidity. Substitute red wine vinegar and white wine vinegar.
  • Yellow mustard: Substitute Dijon mustard.
  • Sugar: The dressing craves a pinch of sweetness to balance the vinegar. Substitute maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup for sugar.
  • Salt and black pepper.
  • Celery seeds: optional, to taste.
Coleslaw served with a silver spoon in a white bowl

How to make coleslaw

US cups + grams measurements in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Shred the cabbage into thin slices.

You can do so with a sharp knife, mandoline slicer, or food processor with a slicing attachment.

Tip: we recommend cutting the cabbage in half, then in half again, cutting each quarter of the cabbage in half again. It’s easier to slice small cabbage wedges.

cabbage sliced with a mandoline slicer

Add shredded cabbage, carrots grated with the large holes of a box grater, and finely chopped parsley to a large bowl.

grated and chopped vegetables for coleslaw

To make the coleslaw dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek-style yogurt, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper.

Coleslaw dressing with a black spoon

Pour the coleslaw dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well combined.

Serve this immediately for the best crunch, or make it ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Coleslaw in a white bowl with a spoon

Variations

Make it vegan: Substitute vegan mayo for mayonnaise and non-dairy yogurt or vegan sour cream for Greek yogurt.

Vinegar coleslaw: Substitute a simple vinaigrette dressing for the creamy dressing. Here’s the vinegar coleslaw recipe.

Apple coleslaw: Add a finely chopped apple and a handful of chopped walnuts. Cranberries work well, too.

Storage

Make ahead: Coleslaw is good for 4 days; however, if you want the best crunch, we recommend mixing the dressing and the cabbage up to 3 hours before serving.

Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in an airtight container. Coleslaw is delicious and served cold so you can serve it right from the fridge.

Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing it.

More cool salads

The world is getting hotter, and these gorgeous creamy salads are sure to cool you down!

Check out our creamy pasta salad, macaroni salad, broccoli salad, and creamy cucumber salad.

Creamy coleslaw in a white bowl with a silver spoon

Coleslaw

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 15 votes
Coleslaw is a creamy and crisp side dish made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a cool flavor-packed dressing.
It’s excellent for barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings, next to sandwiches, tacos, and much more.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Side dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (12 ounces) green cabbage
  • 1 cup (3 ounces) red cabbage or more red cabbage
  • 2 medium carrots
  • ¼ cup parsley

Dressing

  • cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo
  • cup Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • Shred 4 cups (12 ounces) green cabbage and 1 cup (3 ounces) red cabbage.
    You can do so with a sharp knife, mandoline slicer, or food processor with a slicing attachment.
    cabbage sliced with a mandoline slicer
  • To a large bowl, add the cabbage, 2 medium carrots grated with the large holes of a box grater, and ¼ cup parsley (finely chopped).
    grated and chopped vegetables for coleslaw
  • To make the coleslaw dressing, whisk together ⅓ cup mayonnaise⅓ cup Greek yogurt2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar2 tablespoons mustard1 tablespoon sugar1 teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.
    Coleslaw dressing with a black spoon
  • Pour the coleslaw dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well combined.
    Serve this immediately for the best crunch, or make it ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 – 4 days.
    Coleslaw in a white bowl with a spoon

Video

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate for 1 side serving of coleslaw out of 6 servings.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Parsley: you can keep it out if you don’t have any.
Mayonnaise: substitute vegan mayo.
Greek yogurt: substitute non-dairy yogurt or vegan sour cream.
Apple cider vinegar: substitute white vinegar.
Yellow mustard: substitute Dijon mustard.
Sugar: substitute honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.
STORAGE
Make ahead: Coleslaw is good for 4 days; however, if you want the best crunch, we recommend mixing the dressing and the cabbage up to 3 hours before serving.
Refrigerator: Keep leftovers in an airtight container. Coleslaw is delicious and served cold so you can serve it right from the fridge.
Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing it.

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 547mg, Potassium: 237mg, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 3825IU, Vitamin B6: 0.1mg, Vitamin C: 33mg, Vitamin E: 0.3mg, Vitamin K: 92µg, Calcium: 55mg, Folate: 36µg, Iron: 1mg, Manganese: 0.2mg, Magnesium: 17mg, Zinc: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or mention @nicoandlouise on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

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Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

Easy right?

5 from 15 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Guys
    This recipe is delicious. I do Coleslaw all the time for family and friends but your dressing is the best and as you say is really good for potato salad making a super change Thank you
    Bridget UK

    1. Fantastic, Irma! I’m so happy you liked the coleslaw 💪

      Enjoy your party, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating 🙂

      Kindest, Louise

    1. Fantastic, Alina. I’m very happy you like the coleslaw.
      Thanks for leaving a message 🙂
      Kindest, Louise