This Easy Coleslaw Recipe is a pre-requisite to summer dining! Put together in 5 minutes (seriously) and will be a favorite all year long.
Summer just isn’t complete without some great homemade coleslaw.
Served chilled it’s a refreshing recipe to take the heat out of the day.
The flavors are light and delicious paired with grilled meats, on sandwiches or by itself!
Everyone needs an easy coleslaw recipe in their collection!
What is Coleslaw?
Coleslaw is a classic side dish or salad. Also known as cole slaw or just slaw.
It’s made with finely shredded cabbage, green and/or red, mixed with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing or a vinaigrette dressing.
Sometimes shredded cabbage and carrots are mixed together for the slaw.
It’s a refreshing side dish or salad for summer in particular.
Coleslaw can be served on its own or on top of pulled pork sandwiches for a cooling balance to the hot and spicy meat.
Ingredients in Easy Coleslaw
This easy coleslaw recipe has only a handful of ingredients:
- fresh Coleslaw mix (green cabbage, red cabbage or a mix)
- Mayonnaise
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Granulated Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Celery Seeds
- Additional Salt and Pepper to taste
Coleslaw Dressing Recipe
Coleslaw dressing can be changed up in many ways.
This coleslaw dressing recipe is a classic.
Creamy, sweet, slightly tangy and full of flavor.
It takes less than 5 minutes to make!
Use Prepared Coleslaw mix
This easy coleslaw recipe takes advantage of prepackaged coleslaw mix.
It’s available fresh in the produce section at the grocery store along with bagged lettuce.
Because it’s pre shredded, using prepared slaw mix is a huge time saver when making coleslaw.
If you prefer to shred your own cabbage, check the notes of the recipe for amounts to substitute.
How to Make this Easy Coleslaw Recipe – Step by Step
It will probably take longer to look at the photos of how to make this easy coleslaw recipe than it will to actually make it!
- Place the coleslaw mix in a large bowl (photo 1).
- Add the granulated sugar (photo 2) mayonnaise (photo 3), apple cider vinegar, salt, celery seeds (photo 4).
- Stir to fully combine and coat the shredded cabbage.
Better the Next Day
The great thing about this coleslaw recipe is that:
- It takes about 5 minutes to make.
- It’s better LATER!
Make it in the morning to eat at dinner time. OR make it the day before.
Letting it chill in the refrigerator softens the cabbage slightly and allows the flavors of the creamy coleslaw dressing soak in.
Variations
There are many variations on the classic coleslaw recipe to change it up. Options include:
- Using different shredded greens such as broccoli or radish. Check the produce section in your favorite store for prepared shredded produce to change it up.
- Add fruits to heighten the sweetness: apple chunks, plumped raisins, pear pieces, dried sweetened cranberries
- Add some crunchy texture with chopped nuts or seeds: almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, poppyseeds.
Coleslaw Recipes
There are a number of slaw recipes on Boulder Locavore. Some such as the Lazy Girl’s Cole Slaw (even easier than this recipe) and the version on the sandwich, are a spin on classic coleslaw.
Others use different shredded vegetables and even fruit to change it up!
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Lindsay Cotter says
This was so easy to make! Everyone loved it!
Heather says
Love a good coleslaw recipe! I’ll have to add this to our meal rotation!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
We always have slaw with our grilled meats. It is a staple during our weekend BBQs with the family. I want to try the pulled pork sandwiches with radish slaw. That sounds delicious!
Jennifer says
I love coleslaw. It makes such a great side dish for any kind of barbecue or grilled food.
Catalina says
This looks like the perfect side dish for me! I should try your recipe!
Amy says
I love cole slaw so much! My fave way to enjoy it is with pork!
Liz says
I made this with our pulled pork last night! Super easy and delicious! Love that you added celery seeds—a must in my book!
Julie says
This coleslaw is always my go-to for BBQs! It’s so easy to make and always a crowd favorite!
Brianne Tursi Manz says
Such an easy recipe, yet full of flavor! I can’t wait to make this for the next barbecue we’re invited to!
Melissa Chapman says
The warm weather is here and when it stops raining it will be time for the parties to begin. This coleslaw is a great idea and everyone will like it.
Stacie says
Yummo! Nothing is better than homemade coleslaw. You cannot beat it. It’s so much better than storebought.
Sapana says
Coleslaw is really easy to cook and looks yummy. I can try it this weekend…hope kids will love it.
Myrah Duque says
Such a refreshing recipe for the summer. I like that you add vinegar, that certainly gives it a good kick.
Cheryl S says
definitely a summer staple! Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
Celebrate Woman Today says
Coleslaw is one of my favorite things to eat! I try to add it to many foods, be it a salad or soup or other main recipe.
Denise says
I love cole slaw, and this recipe is no exception! The flavors, the textures, just perfect for slaw!
Tanya Schroeder says
Every cookout needs a good coleslaw recipe!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I do love a homemade coleslaw. We don’t get bags of coleslaw mix here, but it’s quick enough to chop up some cabbage anyway. Roll on summer! Sharing!
Sommer says
Love that I can have this made in no time! A summer staple for sure!
Demeter says
This is a must have side dish all summer long! So light and the perfect addition to any potluck or BBQ.
Chelsea says
This is the easiest, yummiest coleslaw salad! YUMMY!! Thanks for sharing!
Chris Collins says
I’m always looking for new BBQ side dishes and this coleslaw looks absolutely perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Alli says
This is so good. I’m super picky with my cole slaw but this is a winner.
Meghna says
What a fabulous coleslaw. We love it as a side to our grilled meat recipes. Thanks for the fantastic easy share. Will try for a g2g this weekend.