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Quick Coleslaw Recipe

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This quick coleslaw recipe is the ultimate easy side dish — creamy, tangy, and perfectly crunchy. Made with fresh cabbage, carrots, and a simple homemade dressing, it comes together in just 10 minutes and pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, and everything in between. It’s the best homemade coleslaw you’ll ever make!

  • Total Time: 10 minutes (or 40 minutes with chill time
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Coleslaw:

  • 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded (about 1/2 medium head)
  • 1 cup purple/red cabbage, finely shredded (optional, for color)
  • 1 cup carrots, grated (about 2 medium carrots)
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced

For the Creamy Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or honey)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of salt, to taste

Instructions

Step 1 — Prep the vegetables. Thinly shred the green and red cabbage using a sharp knife or a food processor fitted with the shredding disc. Peel and grate the carrots using a box grater. Thinly slice the green onions. Add all the vegetables to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2 — Make the dressing. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, celery salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed — add a little more vinegar for tang, sugar for sweetness, or salt to taste.

Step 3 — Combine. Pour the dressing over the shredded vegetables and toss well until everything is evenly coated. Make sure every strand of cabbage is dressed!

Step 4 — Taste and adjust. Give it a final taste. Need more tang? Add a splash of vinegar. Too tangy? Add a pinch more sugar. Adjust to your preference.

Step 5 — Chill (optional but recommended). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften slightly, making the coleslaw even more delicious.

Step 6 — Serve and enjoy! Give it one final toss before serving and garnish with extra sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Make it lighter: Swap half the mayo for plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangier, lower-calorie version.
  • Salting the cabbage: For extra-crisp coleslaw, toss the shredded cabbage with 1 teaspoon of salt and let it sit in a colander for 20 minutes before using. Rinse and pat dry. This removes excess moisture and keeps the slaw from getting watery.
  • Pre-shredded bags: In a real rush? A 14 oz bag of coleslaw mix works perfectly in place of fresh cabbage and carrots.
  • Don’t overdress: Start with slightly less dressing and add more as needed. Overdressed coleslaw can get soggy quickly.
  • Flavor development: The coleslaw tastes even better after 1–2 hours in the fridge, so make it ahead whenever possible.
  • Author: Amiyah Weaver
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Approx. 3/4 cup
  • Calories: 145 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 290mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 1.5g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 8mg