• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Delicious Table ® logo

  • All Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
    • July 4th, Memorial, & Labor Day
    • Halloween Party Food
    • Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
    • New Year's Eve Recipes
    • Superbowl Party & Game Day Food
    • Valentine's Day Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    • Mother's Day Recipes
  • Party Food
    • Cookout Foods
    • BBQ And Grilling
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Game Day Food
    • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Shop Kitchen Collection
  • Lisa Hatfield’s Bio
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ALL RECIPES
  • COOKING TOOLS
  • WELCOME TO DT!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ALL RECIPES
    • COOKING TOOLS
    • WELCOME TO DT!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes & Vegetables

    Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

    Published: June 11, 2023 | Last Updated: April 25, 2024 | Lisa 2 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    6.8K shares
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Email
    • X
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Colorful coleslaw with orange, purple, and green colors, and dressing being drizzled on top.

    Last Updated April 25th, 2024 at 11:19 am by Lisa

    This Coleslaw Recipe has a clean vinegar-based dressing and no mayo! It goes great with pulled pork sandwiches or as a classic side dish at potluck summer picnics and BBQ cookouts.

    A classic coleslaw recipe is usually loaded with mayonnaise and white sugar. However, this cabbage salad is clean, light, and tangy. This homemade slaw can safely remain at room temperature and balances nicely with any grilled main dish or savory BBQ. And has a crisp, cool, refreshing crunch...

    A large clear bowl filled with colorful cole slaw made with purple and green cabbage and carrots with wood serving tongs.Pin

    How To Make Coleslaw

    For an easy coleslaw recipe, buy pre-shredded cabbage to toss this slaw together fast, or thinly slice some at home. I love using bright purple and green together, it looks so colorful with the orange carrots.

    Make a double batch of this healthy coleslaw recipe for large parties. It is an awesome pulled pork coleslaw. And the total time needed to pull it together is just 15 minutes!

    Pouring a no mayo dressing on a tri color coleslaw recipe in a clear bowl. Pin

    Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients

    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 2 teaspoons whole celery seeds
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon black cracked pepper

    No-Mayo Coleslaw Mix Ingredients

    • carrots
    • green cabbage
    • purple cabbage

    PRO TIP: Grab some bagged coleslaw or cabbage salad mix and shredded carrots to save time!

    Pin

    No Mayo Coleslaw Dressing

    1. In a small Mason jar with a fitted lid , combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, celery seeds, sea salt, and pepper. Shake until well combined for 1 minute.
    2. Or add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk well until combined.
    Pin

    PRO TIP: Make dressings in small jars and pop them right into the fridge to use again that week. It is the best way to mix them with no bowls to wash!

    Delicious Table logo
    Join Our List

    And receive a free Cookout Planner as our thank you!

    Coleslaw Cabbage Mixture

    1. On a cutting board, thinly slice green and purple cabbage with a sharp knife. Using a box grater, grate the carrots (or buy pre-grated) and place them in a large bowl. Or shred the cabbage and carrots in a food processor or on a mandoline.
    2. Pour the dressing on the coleslaw mixture of purple and green cabbage and carrots, and toss using tongs. Best if served that day.
    3. Store leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last a day or two.
    Carrots with purple and green cabbage shredded finely in a clear bowl to make coleslaw. Pin

    Variations & Optional Dressing Add-Ins

    Cole slaw is a must-have cookout side dish best served with Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Hamburgers, grilled chicken, Pork Sliders, and barbecue ribs. It also is great for fish tacos and pulled pork tacos. Mix up the ingredients to create your own version of delicious slaw.

    Kind of Vinegar: Swap in good champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, or white vinegar, or even add a squeeze of lemon juice into the dressing for a tangy coleslaw.

    Cabbage & Carrots: You can buy a premade cabbage mix and shredded carrots at the grocery store and just whip up the dressing to save time.

    Crunchy Vegetables: Napa cabbage will work great in this recipe, you can also add green onions (spring onions), Pickled Red Onions (yellow onion is too hot), or red pepper. Any crisp fresh vegetables will work even jicama or celery. Fresh parsley adds nice flavor and color.

    Coleslaw in a clear bowl tossed with wood serving tongs in a kitchen. Pin

    Seasonings: Celery seeds make the dressing taste amazing, but you can swap in or add caraway seeds.

    Creamy Slaw: You can make this a creamy coleslaw recipe if you wish and add ½ cup of mayonnaise, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt.

    Sweetness: You can add some additional granulated sugar to make it sweeter as well.

    Spicy Coleslaw: You can up the heat and spiciness with a dash of hot sauce or mix in a sprinkle of a Nashville chicken spice mixture. Or add some good Dijon mustard for great zing.

    A white bowl filled with a tri color coleslaw recipe with wood salad tongs.Pin

    Pulled Pork Slaw Recipes

    Pick one of your favorite pulled pork recipes, and make it your way with a pork butt, or pork shoulder, or try my two recipes below that use pork loin!

    Red white check paper lined basked holding a pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.Pin

    This is the best coleslaw for Pulled Pork Sandwiches made with pork loin is so juicy. Top these pulled pork sandwiches with this vinegar coleslaw recipe, Dill Pickle Chips, and tangy barbecue sauce all on a golden bun. This clean colorful salad with crunchy cabbage and carrots is so good with rich succulent pulled pork.

    Oven Roasted Pulled Pork cooks at a low temperature and slow, in a long cooking process making the pork roast easy to shred as it becomes tender over the hours. The result: perfectly moist yet slightly caramelized edges, a super savory pulled pork made from pork loin.

    • Red white check paper lined basked holding a pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.
      Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    • A white casserole dish with oven roasted pulled pork shredded and ready to eat in tacos or a recipe for dinner.
      Oven Roasted Pulled Pork
    Coleslaw in a clear bowl with wood serving tongs.Pin

    Cole Slaw FAQ

    So is it Coleslaw? Or Cole Slaw. Well, the correct spelling for this cookout classic is coleslaw. Some people even say, "cold-slaw"! The word's origins are from the Dutch word koolsa. The word cole refers to a crop like cabbage.

    Pin
    What to serve coleslaw recipes with?

    Cole Slaw with Pulled Pork is a classic summer dish! Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, BBQ Ribs, and Grilled or BBQ Chicken are also excellent to pair it with.
    Other cookout sides and picnic food ideas to serve along with coleslaw are Corn On The Cob, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Macaroni Salad, or Pasta Salads.

    Will fresh coleslaw keep overnight?

    Yes, but it is best to not mix the dressing with the cabbage. Wait till a couple of hours before your party, pour on the dressing do a quick toss and it's ready!

    How long will coleslaw keep fresh?

    Thinly sliced cabbage and carrots will last at least 3 days in a well-sealed airtight container. The coleslaw no mayo dressing will last up to 30 days in a sealed Mason jar in the refrigerator.

    Which kind of cabbage for coleslaw?

    You can use green cabbage, red (purple) cabbage, savoy cabbage, or Napa cabbage. For a multi-colored or multi-textured coleslaw, use a combination of at least 2 kinds. Buy bags of pre-shredded cabbage, carrots, or coleslaw mix and save time!
    A white bowl filled with colorful tri color cole slaw with salad tongs.Pin

    Pin

    Summer Cookout Side Dishes

    These are some of the easiest side dishes for cookouts and picnic food ideas. More easy recipes to serve with this coleslaw without mayo are Corn On The Cob, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, or Macaroni Salad

    Pasta Salads or 7 Layer Salad are a wildly popular make-ahead potluck salad, so beautiful and loved by everyone. Mango Jicama Slaw is light, crisp with lime vinaigrette, and goes great with grilled fish and steaks. Mexican Street Corn "Elotes" are slathered with creamy cilantro sauce.

    • Ears of grilled corn on a white platter seasoned with melted butter on top.
      Grilled Corn On The Cob
    • A small white bowl filled with bacon potato salad garnished with crispy bacon.
      Bacon Potato Salad
    • A large white spoon scooping a serving of cowboy baked beans out of a casserole dish.
      Cowboy Beans
    • Looking down on a white plate filled with macaroni salad and a silver fork.
      Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe
    • A wooden bowl filled with pasta salad and wooden serving tongs.
      Easy Pasta Salad
    • A glass trifle dish filled with 7 Layer Salad full of colorful ingredients.
      7 Layer Salad
    • Pouring dressing on a full plate of mango slaw with a gold fork on edge of ceramic plate.
      Mango Jicama Slaw
    • Several grilled elotes Mexican street corn on the cob sprinkled with Cotija cheese on a platter.
      Mexican Street Corn (Authentic Elotes)

    CRAVING MORE?

    Did you love this recipe? We would love to hear from you! If you make this recipe and love it, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Delicious Table with my free newsletter and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

    A clear glass bowl filled with tri color cole slaw and wooden tongs stuck in the slaw.Pin
    Print Pin Recipe

    Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

    This Coleslaw Recipe has a clean vinegar-based dressing and no mayo! It goes great with pulled pork sandwiches or as a classic side dish at potluck summer picnics and BBQ cookouts. A classic coleslaw recipe is usually loaded with mayonnaise and white sugar. However, this cabbage salad is clean, light, and tangy. This homemade slaw can safely remain at room temperature and balances nicely with any grilled main dish or savory BBQ. And has a crisp, cool, refreshing crunch.
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 12
    Calories 150kcal
    Author Lisa Hatfield

    Equipment

    Epicurean Non-Slip Cutting Board
    Chef Knife
    Mason Ball Pint Jar
    Mandoline

    Ingredients

    No Mayo Dressing

    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 2 teaspoons whole celery seeds
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon black cracked pepper

    Slaw Mix

    • 2 cups carrots (2 large carrots shredded)
    • 2 cups green cabbage thinly sliced
    • 2 cups purple cabbage thinly sliced
    Get Recipe Ingredients
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a small Mason jar with a fitted lid , combine the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, celery seeds, sea salt, and pepper. Shake until well combined for 1 minute. Or add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk well until combined.
    • On a cutting board, thinly slice green and purple cabbage with a sharp knife. Using a box grater, grate the carrots (or buy pre-grated) and place them in a large bowl. Or shred the cabbage and carrots in a food processor or on a mandoline.
    • Pour the dressing on the coleslaw mixture of purple and green cabbage and carrots, and toss using tongs. Best if served that day.
    • Store leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last a day or two.

    Notes

    make-ahead

    Keep the dressing in a Mason jar until ready to serve, then pour, toss and serve. 

    quick prep 

    You can buy bags of pre-shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix and save time!

    cabbage

    You can use green cabbage, red (purple) cabbage, savoy cabbage or Napa cabbage. For a multi-colored or multi-textured coleslaw, use a combination of at least 2 kinds.

    Optional Dressing Add-Ins

    You can make this dressing creamy if you wish and add ½ cup of mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.
    You can add some additional granulated sugar to make it sweeter as well.

    what to serve with coleslaw

    Cole Slaw is a classic summer side dish best served with Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, BBQ Ribs, and Grilled Chicken.

    Other great summer sides to serve along with coleslaw are grilled corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, macaroni salad, or pasta salad.

    storage & serving

    Keep your sliced cabbage chilled,  but it is best to not mix the dressing with the cabbage. Wait till a couple of hours before your party, pour on the dressing do a quick toss and it's ready!

    Variations & Optional Dressing Add-Ins

    Cole slaw is a must-have cookout side dish best served with Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Hamburgers, grilled chicken, Pork Sliders, and barbecue ribs. It also is great for fish tacos and pulled pork tacos. Mix up the ingredients to create your own version of delicious slaw.
    Kind of Vinegar: Swap in good champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, or white vinegar, or even add a squeeze of lemon juice into the dressing for a tangy coleslaw.
    Cabbage & Carrots: You can buy a premade cabbage mix and shredded carrots at the grocery store and just whip up the dressing to save time.
    Crunchy Vegetables: Napa cabbage will work great in this recipe, you can also add green onions (spring onions), Pickled Red Onions (yellow onion is too hot), or red pepper. Any crisp fresh vegetables will work even jicama or celery. Fresh parsley adds nice flavor and color.
    Seasonings: Celery seeds make the dressing taste amazing, but you can swap in or add caraway seeds.
    Creamy Slaw: You can make this a creamy coleslaw recipe if you wish and add ½ cup of mayonnaise, sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt.
    Sweetness: You can add some additional granulated sugar to make it sweeter as well.
    Spicy Coleslaw: You can up the heat and spiciness with a dash of hot sauce or mix in a sprinkle of a Nashville chicken spice mixture. Or add some good Dijon mustard for great zing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3740IU | Vitamin C: 13.9mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let's see it on Instagram! Follow us @Delicious.Table and tag us on your recipe photo with #delicioustable
    Need ingredients or equipment to make this recipe? Shop Now Every cooking product recommended I own, use, and love how they perform in my kitchen. Happy Cooking! Lisa
    Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Delicious Table earns advertising fees from qualified purchases linking to Amazon.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura says

      July 07, 2021 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      This cole slaw is so good. I'm definitely going to make this all summer.

      Reply
    2. Jessica Robinson says

      June 29, 2019 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      This coleslaw recipe sounds beyond incredible and perfect for all of our upcoming picnics! I bet it will go great with my pulled pork!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    MEET LISA

    Hey Everyone! I've been cooking passionately for over 30 years with professional culinary training and thousands of recipes in my collection. Let's get cooking! ♥

    Find out more →

    FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    MOST POPULAR RECIPES

    • A white ceramic dog dish that says woof filled with homemade dog food.
      Homemade Dog Food Recipes (30+ Ideas!)
    • A white plate full of taco salad topped with taco meat, grated cheese, Fritos, sour cream, black olives and tomatoes.
      Easy Taco Salad
    • Lifting out a piece of breakfast casserole from a white baking dish with a serving utensil from the strata.
      Pizza Strata Breakfast Casserole
    • A loaf of sliced bread filled with a cheesy mixture to make a pull apart crack bread recipe.
      Chile Cheese Pull Apart Bread
    • A large spoon holding a scoop of hot potato casserole serving it for dinner.
      Cheesy Potato Casserole
    • A collage of many colorful side dishes to make during cookout season including potluck salads, baked beans, fruit salad, summer desserts and more.
      30+ Cookout Side Dish Ideas

    ALL READER FAVES ►

    FALL RECIPES

    • A ceramic dish full of golden brown roast pumpkin seeds.
      Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
    • Dozens of pictures of 200 Halloween recipes including adult drinks, appetizers, treats, snacks, desserts for kids and families all with a Halloween theme.
      200+ Best Halloween Recipes
    • Apple Crisp in a red bowl with a silver spoon, ice cream, and drizzled with caramel sauce.
      Apple Crisp
    • Slices of green Granny Smith apples around a white dish with a sweet dessert dip inside a low small white dish with a ruffled edge, and a piece of apple sticking into the dip.
      Caramel Apple Dip
    • A large jar filled with apple pie filling with a lid and bow.
      Apple Pie Recipe Filling
    • A white pie dish with a slice of apple crumble pie, also known as a dutch apple pie with a crumbled topping and green apples in the background in a wood bowl.
      Dutch Apple Pie

    Footer

    Most Popular "Reader Favorite" Recipes

    A white ceramic dog dish that says woof filled with homemade dog food.

    Homemade Dog Food Recipes (30+ Ideas!)

    A white plate full of taco salad topped with taco meat, grated cheese, Fritos, sour cream, black olives and tomatoes.

    Easy Taco Salad

    Lifting out a piece of breakfast casserole from a white baking dish with a serving utensil from the strata.

    Pizza Strata Breakfast Casserole

    A loaf of sliced bread filled with a cheesy mixture to make a pull apart crack bread recipe.

    Chile Cheese Pull Apart Bread

    A large spoon holding a scoop of hot potato casserole serving it for dinner.

    Cheesy Potato Casserole

    A collage of many colorful side dishes to make during cookout season including potluck salads, baked beans, fruit salad, summer desserts and more.

    30+ Cookout Side Dish Ideas

    A square collage of colorful grilled food, side dishes, desserts, and drink recipes to serve at an outdoor bbq cookout.

    75+ Cookout Recipes & BBQ Party Ideas

    Marinated mozzarella balls in a beige ceramic dish with appetizer toothpicks.

    Marinated Mozzarella Balls

    A white casserole dish with oven roasted pulled pork shredded and ready to eat in tacos or a recipe for dinner.

    Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

    A grilled burger loaded with toppings and served at a cookout in paper lined plastic baskets.

    42 Amazing Burger Sides For Cookouts

    Tea sandwiches stacked on a 3 tiered glass tray at a tea party with assorted fillings and flavors.

    Tea Sandwiches

    A white casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes and squares of melted butter on top.

    Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

    A large glass clamp jar filled with pickled eggs, fresh jalapeno slices, and spices.

    Jalapeno Pickled Eggs Recipe

    A large pork loin roast with a lot of dry rub seasoning pouring over the top.

    The Best BBQ Dry Rub

    Mexican pickled red onions in a clamp jar and white bowl with chiles and limes on a colorful striped cloth.

    Mexican Pickled Red Onions

    Picnic sandwiches on a red and white check table with sliced sandwiches.

    Picnic Food: Pressed Italian Sandwiches

    A white plate filled with heart shaped lobster ravioli garnished with parsley.

    Lobster Ravioli

    Three golden crispy edged hash browns baked in a muffin tin on cutting board.

    Oven Baked Hash Browns

    A Cinco de Mayo party with frozen margaritas called Coronaritas, guacamole, and chips on a green table.

    CoronaRita Margaritas

    A large white spoon scooping a serving of cowboy baked beans out of a casserole dish.

    Cowboy Beans

    More Delicious Recipes

    PLEASE FOLLOW US!

    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    DELICIOUS TABLE

    • MEET LISA
    • SEE MY WORK! PRESS & DIGITAL MEDIA PUBLICATIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

    POPULAR LINKS

    • EMAIL SIGN-UP newsletters and updates
    • RECIPE INDEX
    • AMAZON STORE As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    LET'S CONNECT

    • PINTEREST
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • YOUTUBE
    • TIKTOK
    • LINKEDIN
    • X / TWITTER

    2024 COPYRIGHT © ♥︎ DELICIOUS TABLE ®️