Coleslaw Dressing Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

This Coleslaw Dressing is creamy and easy to make from scratch with just a handful of ingredients. Toss it with fresh shredded cabbage for the best homemade coleslaw, or use it to elevate the flavor of store-bought coleslaw mix.

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Summer side dishes are some of my favorite recipes to prepare. When fresh produce is at its peak, I can’t resist mixing up a Broccoli Salad, Corn Salad or a dish of creamy, crunchy coleslaw.

Sure, you could buy a bottle of coleslaw dressing at the grocery store, but fresh always tastes better! When you make this creamy dressing yourself, you can adjust the flavors to your preferences, making it a little sweeter or tangier so that it’s just how you like it. This coleslaw dressing is what makes my Coleslaw Recipe so irresistible!

Best Coleslaw Dressing

  • This homemade coleslaw dressing has the best flavor! It’s creamy and slightly tangy with a touch of sweetness.
  • You’ll need just five ingredients, plus salt and pepper, to make this from scratch.
  • This easy recipe takes just minutes to mix up. You can even make it ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.

I made this and another cole slaw dressing recipe and tried them both before I added the Coleslaw. So glad I did because this one was the hands-down winner!! Delicious!!

Michelle
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Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Mayonnaise: Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best taste. Vegan mayo can be used if desired. I often make this with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a healthier dressing. The yogurt gives it a light, fresh flavor.
  • Honey: Honey brings a touch of sweetness to the dressing. Pure maple syrup is a good substitute, as is granulated sugar.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: This brightens the flavor and makes it a little tangy.
  • Dijon Mustard: I love the sharp, tangy flavor that a bit of Dijon brings. If you’re not a fan of mustard you can leave it out.
  • Celery Seed: Ground celery seed gives this coleslaw dressing its characteristic look with flecks throughout. The celery seed also adds a bit of an earthy flavor. If you don’t have celery seed on hand, the dressing can be made without it.
  • Salt and Pepper: I recommend tasting the dressing and adjusting the amount of salt and pepper to your tastes.
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How to Make Coleslaw Dressing

You can make this easy recipe in just two simple steps! Find the full recipe with measurements below.

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.

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Taste and adjust the flavors as needed. You may want to add more honey for a sweeter dressing or more apple cider vinegar to make it tangier. Add more salt and pepper as needed.

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To Make Coleslaw

To make coleslaw, mix about 3/4 of the dressing with either 6 cups of shredded cabbage and shredded carrots or one 14 ounce bag of store-bought coleslaw mix. I don’t recommend adding all of the dressing from the start because you can always add more to reach your desired creaminess. The amount of dressing you use will depend on how creamy you like your coleslaw.

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More Ways to Use Coleslaw Dressing

  • Besides making the best classic coleslaw, this dressing is also perfect tossed with this Broccoli Slaw or Apple Slaw.
  • It makes a delicious dressing for any salad!
  • I love to serve coleslaw on top of an Instant Pot Pulled Pork sandwich or with Instant Pot BBQ Chicken or Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken.
  • Use this coleslaw dressing in place of the dressing in this Chicken Salad Recipe or as a sandwich spread.
  • Enjoy it as a dip for fresh cut veggies, like carrots, celery and cucumbers.

Storage Instructions

This dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For the best taste, chill the dressing before mixing it with your coleslaw mix.

Coleslaw is best served the day it is mixed with the dressing. If you want to make it ahead, I recommend storing the coleslaw mix and dressing separately in the refrigerator. Mix them together no more than a few hours before you plan to serve the coleslaw.

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More Homemade Dressings

You just can’t beat a homemade dressing to make your salads taste their very best. Here are a few more of my favorites:

  • Ranch Dressing
  • Vinaigrette Recipe
  • Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Honey Mustard Dressing
  • Italian Dressing
  • Greek Salad Dressing

4.96 from 21 ratings

Coleslaw Dressing

Servings: 8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

This creamy Coleslaw Dressing is easy to make from scratch with just 5 ingredients, plus salt and pepper. Toss it with fresh shredded cabbage for the best homemade coleslaw, or use it to elevate the flavor of store-bought coleslaw mix. You won't want to go back to store-bought dressing!

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise , or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey*
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed, optional
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until well combined.

  • Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper as needed. If you want the dressing sweeter, add a bit more honey. If you want it tangier, add a little more apple cider vinegar.

  • Dressing can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 1 week in an airtight container.

  • To make coleslaw, toss about ¾ of the dressing with 6 cups of shredded cabbage and carrots, or a 14 ounce bag of coleslaw mix. Add more dressing as needed until the coleslaw is as creamy as you like it. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Coleslaw is best served the day it is mixed with the dressing.

Notes

  • Pure maple syrup or granulated sugar may be substituted for the honey.

Calories: 209kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 265mg, Potassium: 17mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 19IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Dressing, Salad Dressing

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Coleslaw Dressing Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is coleslaw dressing made of? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste. Solution: Use fresh cabbage for your coleslaw.

How much marzetti slaw dressing to use? ›

Marzetti's Famous Coleslaw
  1. 1/2 medium-size head green cabbage.
  2. 1/4 medium-size head purple cabbage.
  3. 2 large carrots.
  4. 1 cup Marzetti® Original Slaw Dressing.
  5. 3 tablespoons lemon juice, or juice of 1 lemon.
  6. 2 teaspoons poppyseeds, plus more for sprinkling on top.
  7. Salt and pepper, to taste.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Apple cider vinegar – It is ok to replace the apple cider vinegar with white distilled, white wine or red wine vinegar, but the apple cider variety adds so much delicious flavor.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Finely diced ingredients

What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly. More specifically, they dice cabbage, carrots, and onions, which are all crunchy and have a pleasant mouth feel.

What is the difference between Eastern and Western coleslaw? ›

Unlike Lexington style, Eastern style contains no tomatoes. It is purely vinegar and pepper which is used to season after cooking. The coleslaw is also different, swapping out the red for a white mayonnaise-based sauce.

What is creamy coleslaw made of? ›

Combine the shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, sugar, vinegar, mustard, celery salt, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl, and then add to the cabbage mixture. Mix well to combine and taste for seasoning; add more salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.

What is the best pre made coleslaw? ›

With its nice, thick dressing, Walmart's deli coleslaw is the best creamy coleslaw of the bunch. The dressing is heavy on the mayo, which makes it the best coleslaw to slather on a burger or pulled pork sandwich, and the copious amounts of shredded carrot will contribute some crunch, too.

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

Like the cabbage, these veggie add-ins can also become breeding grounds for bacteria when left unrefrigerated. Coleslaw dressing often includes vinegar that acidulates the mixture, making it a less hospitable environment for those pesky bacteria. But unfortunately, it's not enough to halt bacterial growth completely.

Why does my homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Should you wash bagged coleslaw? ›

Even if the bag says "prewashed" or "triple-washed," wash the greens yourself. Rinsing won't remove all bacteria but may remove residual soil. Prevent cross contamination by keeping greens away from raw meat.

How far in advance should you dress coleslaw? ›

Never dress slaws too early or too much or they'll lose their crunch. No more than 20 minutes before serving, add dressing in small increments; toss gently before adding more.

How long can coleslaw sit in dressing? ›

Coleslaw keeps well in the refrigerator for one to two days.

The coleslaw dressing lasts for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Does unopened marzetti slaw dressing need to be refrigerated? ›

Unless labeling indicates refrigerated storage — unopened containers of salad dressings can be stored at room temperature. If labeling indicates refrigerated storage — store at 40°F. DO refrigerate opened containers of salad dressings to maintain fresh quality and best flavor.

What does coleslaw contain? ›

Coleslaw is a salad made with raw sliced or shredded cabbage and a dressing such as a vinaigrette or mayonnaise. The term 'coleslaw' actually comes from the Dutch phrase 'koolsla', meaning 'cabbage salad'.

Is coleslaw healthy or unhealthy Why? ›

Improves Gut Health

Coleslaw salad is rich in fiber because of the presence of raw cabbage. The RDA of fiber for an adult is 30g per day. It can become challenging to consume this much amount of fiber per day. However, 120 g portion of cabbage is sufficient to meet 10% of daily fiber needs.

What are the ingredients in Kraft coleslaw dressing? ›

Ingredients. INGREDIENTS: SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, WATER, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, SALT, MUSTARD, POLYSORBATE 60 (PREVENTS OIL SEPARATION), POTASSIUM SORBATE (MAINTAINS QUALITY), PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE (THICKENER), XANTHAN GUM (THICKENER), SPICES AND SEASONINGS (CONTAINS CELERY), CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (MAINTAINS FLAVOUR).

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