I love this homemade coleslaw recipe, the crunchy texture of the creamy coleslaw makes it my favorite anytime salad. I promise after tasting this American Classic this will be your go-to coleslaw.
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My Easy Coleslaw Recipe, can be made in 10- 15 minutes, and It’s the perfect side dish for all of your barbecue dishes.
I always serve it with BBQ Baby Back Ribs and my world-famous Buffalo Style Chicken Wings.
My homemade coleslaw goes great on sandwiches (or with sandwiches), and my BBQ Beef Brisket is a delicious example! It’s great with pulled pork and a topping for tacos.
Looking for a dish to bring to a summer potluck? You can’t go wrong with my cole slaw, it goes with everything!
Ingredients for my Coleslaw Recipe
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Coleslaw Recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”
Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Basic Ingredients
- green cabbage
- carrot
- mayonnaise
- apple cider vinegar
- sugar (I use raw cane sugar)
- fresh lemon juice
- salt and black pepper
You’ll find some recipes include celery seed or celery salt, but I’ve never enjoyed the flavor of that seasoning. If you want a more colorful coleslaw, add some shredded purple cabbage to the mixture.
How do I prepare the cabbage?
The first step is using a sharp knife carefully cut the head of the cabbage in half. Then remove the core and any of the thicker white parts of the cabbage
You can use a food processor with a shred attachment or slicing blade to cut make short work of the cabbage. If you slice the cabbage by hand or with the food processor it will still need to be chopped. How much is your decision. I like to chop it fairly small, but you can leave the pieces of cabbage up to about an inch if you like.
My favorite way to prepare the cabbage is with a box grater, making the pieces very small and tender.
How to make the dressing
See this post for more information on making my coleslaw dressing.
- Add one cup of mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl.
- Combine the ingredients mixing until smooth and creamy. *Refrigerate until needed.
This mayonnaise dressing can be made with light mayonnaise, and I have seen some recipes add sour cream to the dressing, but it’s not necessary.
How to make my Coleslaw Recipe
Add the shredded carrots to a large bowl with the chopped cabbage.
*You can use precut cabbage or coleslaw mix at your grocery store, but fresh shredded cabbage is so much better.
Mix the carrots into the chopped cabbage.
Add the coleslaw dressing to the cabbage mixture.
Mix the slaw dressing into the cabbage mixture, making sure that all of the cabbage mixture is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
The cabbage can be a little tough, so marinating it in the slaw dressing overnight will help soften it and improve its overall flavor. The cole slaw can be made up to two days ahead of time.
After one bite, I’m sure you’ll agree this is the best coleslaw recipe, and you won’t be buying store-bought coleslaw anymore.
Store refrigerated in an airtight container or well-covered with plastic wrap for 4-5 days. It does not freeze well.
Recipe FAQ’s
This is a personal decision. It takes all the work out of making cole slaw, but you will sacrifice a little flavor with any precut lettuce or cabbage. There are preservatives added and I can always notice the lingering flavor. But they do work well when you’re pressed for time and still a much better option than buying grocery store salads.
The short answer is no, but it really needs time to marinate in the flavors and soften the cabbage. Letting cole slaw sit for 2-4 hours will help the flavor and texture. If you can make it the day before it will be even better.
Place the shredded cabbage in a colander, sprinkle the cabbage with a tablespoon of salt, mixing to distribute the salt. Let the salted cabbage sit for an hour or two, then rinse it with cold water to remove the salt and pat dry with paper towels. You may want to cut back on the salt in the recipe, as the cabbage will absorb some of the salt.
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Best Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 small cabbage shredded and chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1 large carrot shredded
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt more or less to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper more or less to taste
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Instructions
- Cut the cabbage in half and remove the core from each side.
- Using a sharp knife cut the cabbage in very thin slices, then chop the slices into small pieces. Place the prepared cabbage in a large mixing bowl.You can use a food processor to slice or shred the cabbage, or you can also use a box grater to shred the cabbage and carrot. Personally, I prefer the box grater method but my wife doesn't like it that fine.
- In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the slaw dressing over the cabbage and carrots. Thoroughly mix to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.Cole slaw is always better after sitting for a day, make sure to mix the slaw a few times as it sits in the fridge.
Notes
- you can buy a bag of pre-shredded cabbage, but I’m not fond of the taste that the preservative gives the cabbage.
- you can also buy cole slaw dressing, but none will taste as good as my homemade slaw dressing.
Mary L says
Easiest recipe ever and the taste is amazing!!!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my coleslaw recipe!
Megan says
This is by far my favorite classic coleslaw recipe. I also love that its simple, it’s the purest form of coleslaw without frilly ingredients which means everyone can enjoy it (plus i always have the ingredients on hand). Thank you so much for sharing, i will not be buying bottled coleslaw dressing ever again.
Chef Dennis Littley says
You are very welcome and thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful comment!
Teri says
I made this just as the recipe said. It was very good. Will be making this alot in the summer. Thank you!
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear!
Becky Faliveno says
I absolutely LOVE this recipe! I made it for the first time today and it is a huge hit with me and my husband-who is a bit of a coleslaw snob😁
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for taking the time to let me know you and your husband enjoyed my coleslaw recipe. It sounds like a big win with your hubby!
David says
KFC was always a childhood favorite. this is identical, and so easy!!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear!!
Barbara DAugustine says
I have been using your recipe for at least 3 years but never commented before now. I treasure – yes, treasure – this recipe. I’ve never tasted a better coleslaw. I shred the carrot with a hand grater and hand cut the cabbage. Yum yum. Just made my first batch of 2025 for St. Paddy’s Day and I’m sure to make more as the year progresses. Thank you for sharing.
Chef Dennis Littley says
You are very welcome and I’m very happy to hear you’ve been enjoying my coleslaw recipe!
GgNa says
AWESOME ! thanks !
Chef Dennis Littley says
You’re very welcome!
Barbara says
Hello could I replace the sugar with honey?
Chef Dennis Littley says
Yes you can.
Jodie says
I add a little grated onion because I put onions in everything this recipe is always delicious!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you’ve been enjoying my coleslaw recipe and a little onion is a tasty addition.
Pat says
Delicious!!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my coleslaw!
Denise Barton says
It is definitely delicious and creamy. My husband loves it.
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear! Thanks for letting me know you both enjoyed my coleslaw recipe.
Gia says
Quick, easy and delicious!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my coleslaw! We just had it with wings last night.
justRho says
I tried it, it was great! I’m not even gonna change a thing, because thats how I roll. lol. Thanks Chef! CAPITAL LETTERS!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my coleslaw recipe!
Allen Geiss says
really tasty, picky wife loves it
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear!
Tanya says
OMG! This is amazing. First time making coleslaw and will never not shop stuff again. Thank you for a fabulously easy and super tasty recipe.
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my coleslaw recipe.