Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

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

5 from 2 votes

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 Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Course: Side Dishes & Vegetables

Cuisine: Side Dish

Keyword: cole slaw, coleslaw, coleslaw recipe, no mayonnaise cole slaw, vinegar cole slaw

Servings:

Calories: 150kcal

Author: Lisa Hatfield

Equipment

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

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.

Video

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