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    Home » Best Coleslaw Recipe

    Best Coleslaw Recipe

    Published: May 17, 2020 · Modified: Jul 24, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    a spoon scooping homemade coleslaw out of a large bowl

    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!

    up close photo of a spoon of coleslaw

    Coleslaw: Ingredients & Substituions

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this coleslaw recipe
    • 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.  
    a large bowl of homemade coleslaw

    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. 

    Overhead photo showing how to make coleslaw

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

    photo showing how to make coleslaw dressing

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

    photo showing how to make coleslaw dressing

    Mix it together

    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. 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.

    To 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. 

    Chill

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

    Serve

    When you're ready to serve, stir the coleslaw. Then garnish with salt, pepper, extra celery seeds, chopped onion, etc. and enjoy on the side of your favorite BBQ or potluck fare (like this chicken satay, pasta salad, etc.). 

    Store

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

    up close photo of a spoon of 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. 

    spoon taking a scoop of coleslaw out of a large bowl

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    Best Coleslaw Recipe

    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 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Chilling 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 5 mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 14 Servings
    Calories 77 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 oz. coleslaw mix
    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 3 TBS honey
    • 1 TBS lemon juice
    • 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ tsp pepper
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp celery seeds

    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. 

    To 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. 

    Store

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

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 98mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Malina

      December 06, 2022 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      Delicious

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 06, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        Thank you, Malina!

        Reply
    2. Rebecca

      April 25, 2022 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE this easy, summer recipe. It really is delicious quick to make!

      Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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