If you’re on the hunt for a side dish that’s crisp, colorful, and endlessly refreshing, you’re absolutely going to fall for the Best Coleslaw Recipe. This timeless, creamy slaw is the ultimate crowd-pleaser — it delivers the perfect balance of crunch and tang, making every bite downright irresistible. Whether you’re loading up a picnic plate, pairing it with smoky BBQ, or tucking it into your favorite sandwich, this coleslaw shines with its vibrant veggies and luscious, tangy dressing. It’s quick to whip up, easy to make ahead, and just waiting to become your new secret weapon for every gathering!

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the truly beautiful things about the Best Coleslaw Recipe is how each ingredient plays a starring role. The blend of vegetables offers color and crunch, while the creamy dressing ties everything together with a zippy, slightly sweet finish. You probably have most of these staples on hand already!

Green cabbage: The main crunch factor and the classic base for all great slaws.
Purple cabbage: Adds a pop of color and a subtle peppery bite that keeps things interesting.
Carrots: Bring beautiful orange flair and a natural sweetness to the mix.
Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy backbone of the dressing, making each bite luscious and rich.
Apple cider vinegar: Gives the slaw its signature tang that cuts through the richness beautifully.
Dijon mustard: A spoonful sharpens the flavors and adds a touch of zesty complexity.
Honey: Rounds out the acidity with its gentle, mellow sweetness — just a hint goes a long way.
Celery seed: Offers that classic coleslaw flavor, bringing an irresistible, herby depth.
Salt: Enhances every flavor and ensures the veggies’ natural tastes shine.
Black pepper: Adds a little warmth and subtle spice to finish the composition.

How to Make Best Coleslaw Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Vegetables

Start by finely shredding your green and purple cabbage along with the carrots. You can use a food processor for quick work or a sharp knife and a little patience for those hand-cut ribbons. Once everything is shredded, add them all to a large mixing bowl. This vibrant bed of crunchy veggies is the colorful heart and soul of the Best Coleslaw Recipe.

Step 2: Whisk the Creamy Dressing

In a separate smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, celery seed, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until everything is smooth and beautifully emulsified. This simple dressing is where the magic happens, as each ingredient brings its own perfect nuance — it’s creamy, tangy, sweet, and just a tiny bit fiery from the mustard.

Step 3: Toss to Coat Evenly

Pour the glorious dressing right over the prepared veggies. Now comes the satisfying part: gently toss everything together, making sure the cabbage and carrots get a generous coating. Don’t worry if the slaw looks a little “dressed up” at first — as it chills, the veggies will soak up the flavors, and the texture will be spot-on.

Step 4: Chill and Finish

Cover your bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (an hour is even better if you have the time!). This rest gives the flavors time to truly meld and the veggies to soften slightly while keeping their signature crunch. Right before serving, give it one last toss to redistribute all the dressing. Now your Best Coleslaw Recipe is ready for the spotlight!

How to Serve Best Coleslaw Recipe

Garnishes

For a little extra flair, sprinkle your slaw with fresh chopped parsley, a scattering of extra celery seed, or even a toss of toasted sunflower seeds. These finishing touches add both flavor and an appealing, fresh look — perfect for impressing guests or just spoiling yourself a bit.

Side Dishes

The Best Coleslaw Recipe is an essential companion for classics like pulled pork sandwiches, smoky ribs, juicy burgers, and fried chicken. It’s just as wonderful nestled next to grilled corn, baked potatoes, or even a platter of roasted veggies if you’re keeping things light and vegetarian.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to get whimsical? Try piling coleslaw high into individual mason jars for easy picnic servings, or scoop it onto sliders, hot dogs, or BBQ tacos as a crisp, creamy topper. You can also layer it in wraps or stuff it inside a pita pocket for a quick lunch that packs a flavor punch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This coleslaw keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors deepen over time, though the vegetables will soften slightly. It’s perfect to make ahead for a backyard gathering or to have on hand for quick weeknight meals.

Freezing

Because the dressing is mayonnaise-based and the vegetables are high in water, freezing is not recommended. The texture of both the veggies and the dressing will change dramatically after thawing, resulting in a watery slaw that just doesn’t do the Best Coleslaw Recipe justice.

Reheating

Coleslaw is best served chilled or at cool room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat it. If your coleslaw has been in the fridge, just give it a good stir before serving to revive its texture and redistribute the dressing.

FAQs

Can I make the Best Coleslaw Recipe in advance?

Absolutely! Coleslaw is actually even better when made ahead, as a little time in the fridge lets the flavors deepen and the veggies soften just a touch. Mix it up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and chill until showtime.

Is there a way to lighten up this coleslaw?

Yes — if you want to cut down on calories while keeping that creamy dressing vibe, swap half of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. This tweak keeps the flavor on point and gives the slaw a subtle tang you’ll love.

What if I don’t have Dijon mustard?

No worries! You can substitute with yellow mustard or even a little whole grain mustard for a different spin. Dijon brings a gentle heat and sharpness, but coleslaw is forgiving, so use what you have on hand.

How long will leftover coleslaw last?

Leftovers are good for up to three days in the fridge. Just keep the slaw chilled in a tightly sealed container and stir before serving, as the dressing may settle. After that window, the freshness and crunch degrade and it’s best to make a new batch.

Can I add other vegetables to the Best Coleslaw Recipe?

Definitely! While this slaw is classic in its veggie lineup, you can absolutely toss in extras like thinly sliced bell peppers, radishes, or green onions for added color and bite. Make this recipe your own!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a go-to slaw that stands out in both flavor and texture, give the Best Coleslaw Recipe a try — it’s always a big hit in my kitchen and truly shines at any occasion. Simple, vibrant, and irresistibly creamy, this is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Don’t be surprised if it steals the spotlight at your next meal!

Best Coleslaw Recipe

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4.6 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Best Coleslaw Recipe is a classic side dish that is creamy, tangy, and perfect for BBQs and picnics. With a mix of green and purple cabbage, carrots, and a flavorful dressing, this coleslaw is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Coleslaw:

6 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots

For the Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Prepare the Coleslaw: In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, purple cabbage, and carrots.
Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, celery seed, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Combine: Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well to coat evenly.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Stir again just before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
This coleslaw pairs perfectly with BBQ, burgers, or sandwiches and can be made a day ahead.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American