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This easy coleslaw recipe is tangy, sweet, and delicious with BBQ, especially pulled pork. Make this classic Southern coleslaw in minutes!
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Why you'll love this recipe
This old fashioned coleslaw recipe is essential for every BBQ picnic, summer holiday, and game day gathering. It's creamy, flavorful, and festive, which is exactly what you want in a traditional coleslaw salad.
You only need a few simple vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and green onions, along with a few pantry ingredients for the super easy dressing. The recipe is as simple as combining shredded vegetables and dressing. The result is a refreshing coleslaw salad that goes with everything!
The tangy, sweet flavor and creamy texture of this classic recipe make it the best coleslaw for pulled pork or a cool-down side dish for hot wings. It's also a great salad for savory pork tenderloin, scrumptious whole chicken, and healthy grilled salmon.
What is coleslaw made of?
This traditional coleslaw recipe is made with green cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrots, and green onions, all tossed in a creamy dressing. Of course it's customizable, but you'll find that this recipe holds its own as an old-fashioned coleslaw just like Grandma's recipe.
Ingredient notes
- cabbage - I recommend a combination of green cabbage and red cabbage for classic coleslaw colors and textures.
- carrots - These add flavor, texture, and a nice color contrast to the slaw.
- green onions - These add a hint of spice to the slaw, and of course, beautiful green color.
- mayonnaise - As with any traditional coleslaw, I recommend using an egg-based mayonnaise such as Hellman's, Duke's, or Best Foods for optimal texture and flavor. Homemade mayonnaise would take coleslaw to another level!
- apple cider vinegar - This adds acidity which brightens the flavor of the dressing.
- Dijon mustard - This adds a hint of spice which balances nicely with the vinegar and sugar.
- sugar - I prefer to use just enough sugar to balance the vinegar to make this recipe slightly sweet. If you prefer an extra sweet coleslaw, simply add more sugar to the recipe.
- celery seed - This is optional of course, but I recommend it because it creates a savory contrast to the tart and sweet slaw flavors.
- sea salt
How to make this recipe
These step-by-step photo instructions show just you how easy it is to make a coleslaw salad for any occasion. You'll find details in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1. Shred cabbage and carrots thinly, slice the green onions, and combine everything in a mixing bowl. Of course you can use coleslaw mix as a time saver or workaround if you don't have tools for shredding.
Step 2. Whisk together coleslaw dressing ingredients which consist of mayonnaise, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery seed, and salt.
Note: Alternatively at this point, you can store the salad mix and dressing separately and combine when ready to serve.
Step 3. Toss the cabbage slaw with with the dressing until well-combined.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 5 days.
Recipe tips
- To make coleslaw ahead, prep the slaw mix and make the dressing. Store the two components separately in airtight containers up to five days and combine when you're ready.
- If you like crispy coleslaw with a firm texture, I recommend serving this slaw within 8 hours once dressed. Under refrigeration, the slaw softens because the dressing softens the cabbage. However, both methods result in delicious flavor.
Recipe variations
- Instead of shredding cabbage and carrots, use a bag of coleslaw mix for convenience. It's more expensive because the slaw is cut and ready to use, but it saves time and is especially useful if shredding vegetables isn't an option.
- You can add even more nutrition to classic coleslaw by substituting any portion of the mayonnaise with plain, nonfat Greek yogurt, which is one of my favorite mayo hacks for so many recipes.
- Substitute lemon juice for vinegar to create a bright citrus flavor.
- If using celery salt instead of celery seed, consider adding salt to taste instead of using the full amount listed in the recipe.
How long does homemade coleslaw last?
This slaw can last up to 5 days under constant refrigeration in an airtight container. As mentioned above, the cabbage and carrots will soften naturally over time.
Serving ideas
- side salad for pressure cooker pulled pork
- substitute for sauerkraut on a reuben sandwich
- topping for sloppy joe's
- as a side dish for chicken thighs, chicken legs, or broiled salmon
- an essential Super Bowl food salad, condiment, or topping
More salad recipes to love
📖 Recipe
Quick and Easy Coleslaw Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
Coleslaw mix
- 6 cups Green and Red Cabbage, 1 pound, shredded
- 1 large Carrot, 1 cup, shredded
- 2 Green Onions, thinly sliced
Homemade coleslaw dressing
- ⅔ cup Mayonnaise, or sub half with plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Celery Seed
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions
- Place CABBAGE, CARROTS, and GREEN ONIONS in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together MAYONNAISE, (optional yogurt), VINEGAR, DIJON, SUGAR, CELERY SEED, and SALT.
- Pour dressing over coleslaw mix and toss to combine.
- Serve chilled. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days. *see recipe footnote
imsen says
I was looking for a simple and easy coleslaw recipe! and I've found one! thanx for the recipe BTW!
Traci says
Of course!! So glad you can enjoy this one. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Ned says
Awesome recipe! Easy to make and super delicious! Thank you!
Traci says
Yay thanks! So glad you're enjoying the recipe 🙂 Cheers!!
Kristen says
I served this for dinner last night with some chicken and it was perfect. So tasty!
Traci says
Yes! So good with chicken, right?! Glad you enjoyed and thanks so much for letting me know!
Tara says
Oooh, such a delicious and easy side. Definitely perfect for pairing with bbq. I love that vibrant color from the red cabbage.
Traci says
Yay! Glad you're enjoying this one 🙂 I'm crazy about that color too. Thanks so much! Enjoy!
Dannii says
You can't beat homemade coleslaw. So many different ways to use it too.
Traci says
Yes! I agree that it's one of the most versatile side dishes all year 🙂 Thanks and enjoy!!
Sara Welch says
This was such a quick, light and delicious recipe! Easily, a new favorite; can't wait to enjoy all season long in the summer too!
Traci says
Yay! So glad to hear it! I love it year-round but it's definitely a summer staple 🙂 Thanks and enjoy!
Cyndi D Evans says
My husband loves coleslaw! But buying it from the local deli, we feel is not the best idea, as we aren’t sure what they are making it with! Thanks for an easy fresher recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
You are so welcome! I'm so glad you're enjoying my recipe and I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks so much! Enjoy 🙂
Tayler says
This is the best coleslaw recipe I've ever tried! We make it all the time!
The Kitchen Girl says
Well, that just makes my day 🙂 Thanks so much and I'm glad you're enjoying it!!
Sisley White - Sew White says
This recipe is so far sponsoring all our summer meals. We can't get enough.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayyy! This happens to me every summer 🙂 Glad to hear it from you...thanks!
Jess says
This is the perfect recipe for summer BBQs on repeat!
The Kitchen Girl says
Heck ya! Gimme all the delicious coleslaw with my BBQ lol. Thank youuu! 🙂
veenaazmanov says
Delicious dressing and healthy combination of colorful veggies. Perfect as a salad or as a topping too.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yesss! Glad you like it and it really is great as a salad or slaw. Thanks 🙂
Liza says
What a fantastic recipe! The cole slaw is so fresh and colorful, and I love that the homemade dressing has wholesome ingredients like Greek yogurt and apple cider vinegar. Another winner from The Kitchen Girl!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thank youuuu, Liza 🙂 Such a compliment and I'm glad you appreciate the ingredients. Cheers to that! Enjoy!
Jeff says
Wow! This coleslaw recipe really is crazy easy and simply delicious. It's a must-have condiment for your pulled pork sandwiches. Can't wait to make it all again!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome...so glad you like this coleslaw recipe! It really does go well with that pork. Thanks for saying so 🙂