Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted May 17, 2020, Updated Jun 14, 2024

5 from 25 votes

22 Comments

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The best coleslaw recipe is easy to make in under 5 minutes! This homemade coleslaw is lightened up and only sweetened with honey, and is a delicious summer BBQ side dish!

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Coleslaw is a classic, refreshing summer side dish that is a must-have at every summer BBQ (and you can’t forget the pasta salad with homemade dressing or easy stovetop mac and cheese)!

This easy coleslaw recipe take 5 minutes to prepare, and is the best coleslaw ever! It’s naturally sweetened with honey and is lightly dressed with a delicious homemade coleslaw dressing (instead of being drowned in it)! Nothing beats this homemade coleslaw!

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Coleslaw Recipe: Ingredients & Substituions

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  • Mayonnaise. There really isn’t a substitute for mayonnaise in this coleslaw recipe. You can use light mayo or homemade mayonnaise. You can also use miracle whip but it will make the coleslaw significantly sweeter.
  • Honey.granulated white sugar or maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar.
  • Lemon Juice. I don’t recommend making a substitution for the lemon juice.
  • Celery Seeds. I love the authentic flavor celery seeds impart in the coleslaw recipe. However if you’d prefer you can very finely chop celery and add it to the mix for a similar flavor, and a little more crunch.
  • Coleslaw Mix.If you prefer to make your own coleslaw mix instead of buying it bagged, simply use 6 cups green cabbage, 1 cup purple cabbage, and 1 cup shredded carrots.
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How to Make Coleslaw

It only takes 5 minutes to prepare this homemade coleslaw recipe! Let’s walk through the steps together, and as always don’t forget to watch the video!

Make the dressing

To make the coleslaw dressing, start by adding all the ingredients (except celery seeds) into a medium bowl.

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Whisk the ingredients thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and creamy.

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Add celery seeds and whisk until they are evenly distributed. Then set the coleslaw dressing aside for a moment.

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Assemble the Coleslaw

Mix this homemade coleslaw recipe in halves to ensure even distribution of the dressing. Start by adding half of the coleslaw mixture in a large mixing bowl. Then, pour half of the dressing over the coleslaw in the bowl.

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Next, add the rest of the coleslaw mixture and pour the rest of the dressing over it.

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Then, stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Chill

Transfer the coleslaw to a serving dish, cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

Make your own Coleslaw mix

Finely chop 1 medium head of green cabbage (6 cups), half a head of purple cabbage (1 cup), and use 1 cup shredded carrots.

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Serve

When you’re ready to serve, stir the coleslaw. Then garnish with salt, pepper, extra celery seeds, chopped onion, etc. Serve with your favorite BBQ recipes. Here are some suggestions:

  • Lemon chicken kebabsand grilledBBQ Chicken.
  • Feta watermelonsalad,3 bean saladandbroccoli salad.
  • Thebesthamburgers!
  • Grilled flank steak
  • Italian pasta saladorsummer pasta salad
  • Summer fruit salad
  • Burrata salad
  • Homemade mac and cheese
  • Best Homemade Coleslaw
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Store

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Homemade Coleslaw Recipe FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about this easy coleslaw recipe.

How long does homemade coleslaw last?

Homemade coleslaw lasts for three days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze coleslaw?

No. Do not freeze coleslaw. It will give is a gritty texture, make it soggy and all around inedible.

How do you shred vegetables for coleslaw?

I prefer to finely chop my vegetables if I don’t use a store-bought bag of coleslaw mix. You can also use a hand held shredder or food processor to shred the cabbage and carrots.

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Best Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Laura

The best coleslaw recipe is easy to make in under 5 minutes! This homemade coleslaw is lightened up and only sweetened with honey, and is a delicious summer BBQ side dish!

5 from 25 votes

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 14 Servings

Calories 77

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Chilling1 hour hour

Total Time1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, vinegar, salt pepper until the mixture is combined and there are no lumps.

  • Add celery seeds and whisk to combine.

  • Place half of the coleslaw mixture in a large mixing bowl.

  • Pour half of the dressing over the coleslaw in the bowl.

  • Add the rest of the coleslaw mixture and pour the rest of the dressing over it.

  • Stir until combined.

  • Transfer to a serving dish, cover with a lid or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.

  • Stir, then garnish with salt, pepper, extra celery seeds, chopped onion, etc.

  • Serve.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Mayonnaise. There really isn’t a substitute for mayonnaise in this coleslaw recipe. You can use light mayo or homemade mayonnaise. You can also use miracle whip but it will make the coleslaw significantly sweeter.
  • Honey.granulated white sugar or maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar.
  • Lemon Juice. I don’t recommend making a substitution for the lemon juice.
  • Celery Seeds. I love the authentic flavor celery seeds impart in the coleslaw recipe. However if you’d prefer you can very finely chop celery and add it to the mix for a similar flavor, and a little more crunch.

Homemade Coleslaw Mix

Finely chop 1 medium head of green cabbage (6 cups), half a head of purple cabbage (1 cup), and use 1 cup shredded carrots.

How to Store Coleslaw

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

It's packed with shredded cabbage and julienned carrots (for health!) and tossed in the holy triumvirate of coleslaw dressing ingredients: apple cider vinegar for acidity, honey for balance, and mayonnaise to tie it all together (feel free to substitute up to half the mayo for tangier Greek yogurt or sour cream for an ...

What is the dressing on coleslaw made of? ›

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!

How to make coleslaw dressing Martha Stewart? ›

Directions. Whisk together mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a small bowl. Refrigerate dressing, covered, until ready to use, or up to 2 days.

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 unhealthiest thing at 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 is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

What is creamy coleslaw made of? ›

Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth! Then, combine the veggies. Add the scallions, red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrot to a large bowl, and toss to combine.

What is the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw? ›

Texture. Coleslaw is traditionally made with finely shredded cabbage, resulting in a softer and more delicate texture. Slaw, on the other hand, can have varying textures depending on the vegetables used and how they are prepared (e.g., shredded, grated, or julienned).

How do you keep homemade coleslaw from being watery? ›

With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt.

How long does homemade coleslaw last? ›

How Long Does Coleslaw Last? Assuming that you're storing your coleslaw in the refrigerator — and haven't taken it out for a stretch of time and put it back in — coleslaw can safely last up to five days. However, it's important to remember that this is the maximum amount of time it should be kept.

What is coleslaw seasoning made of? ›

Mix mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, pepper, celery seed, garlic powder, and onion powder together in a large bowl. Add coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

If you're in the mood for something creamy, sweet, and tangy, coleslaw is an excellent option. Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing.

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

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Once you settle on your variety of cabbage, always opt for the freshest heads possible. They should be firm, dense, and heavy with crisp, vibrant, tightly packed leaves. Older, overripe heads often have a more pungent smell and are more likely to taste bitter.

Why is KFC original recipe so good? ›

KFC Uses A Special Signature Blend Of Herbs And Spices

A big part of what makes KFC's chicken so tasty is its highly coveted blend of herbs and spices. The restaurant's chicken is savory and herbaceous with lingering notes of pepper. The flavoring is simple but it hits all the right notes.

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.

How many days is KFC coleslaw good for? ›

Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers

Then combine for a fresh batch. How long does KFC Coleslaw last in the fridge? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. Always stir before serving.

Why is KFC using cabbage instead of lettuce? ›

KFC says change is due to a lettuce shortage after floods destroyed crops in New South Wales and Queensland. The fried chicken chain KFC has been forced to make menu changes in its burgers and wraps in Australia as the country faces the consequences of floods that destroyed lettuce crops.

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