Extra creamy with a healthy crunch, this coleslaw recipe is the perfect side dish for any cookout, summer lunch, or dinner. This Best Creamy Coleslaw Recipe also makes a terrific hot dog, hamburger, or sandwich topping!
Try my Blue Cheese Coleslaw, Cranberry Pecan Slaw, or Pineapple Coleslaw recipes for an extra special side dish.
In This Post
In my family, this recipe is a classic. I make slaw just like my Mama and Grandmother made it. This Southern Coleslaw recipe brings back great memories of summer cookouts and always puts a little smile on my face whenever I serve it.
After all, food memories bring back not just the taste of the food but also of the people we love and the places we’ve been.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s the ideal summer side dish for cookouts, picnics, and potlucks.
- Making it only takes 10 minutes.
- The creamy dressing combined with the crunchy shredded cabbage is pure perfection.
- It is THE BEST topping for hot dogs and burgers and, for that matter, almost any main dish!
Ingredients Needed To Make Homemade Coleslaw
- Shredded Cabbage – You can shred your own or buy a bag of pre-shredded slaw mix.
- Mayonnaise
- Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Cracked Pepper
How To Make Coleslaw Dressing
I add all the creamy dressing ingredients to the bowl over the top of the cabbage, then mix everything together. You can also whisk the dressing up and pour it over the cabbage.
Tips For Making The Best Creamy Coleslaw
- Use good quality mayonnaise. The mayo flavor will make a big difference in the overall taste of the coleslaw.
- Don’t over-mix the coleslaw. Over-mixing will make the cabbage mushy.
- Add a bit of grated carrot, onion and red cabbage to the coleslaw for added color and sweetness.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing if you want a spicier coleslaw. You can also add celery seeds and parsley for added flavor and texture.
Need To Feed A Crowd?
This easy coleslaw recipe is perfect for making when feeding a crowd! Just like salad recipes, coleslaw is easy to double or even triple.
What To Serve With Homemade Coleslaw
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- BBQ Chicken Legs, Carolina Slaw Dogs, and potato salad for cookouts.
- Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches made with Crock Pot Pulled Pork.
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Common Questions For The Best Coleslaw Recipe
You can shred the cabbage using a mandoline or chop it using a knife. Both methods work great.
Yes, it sure can. Actually, it’s better to have time to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. You can also prep a day ahead of time if needed. I keep a coleslaw mix package in the fridge and the coleslaw dressing in an airtight container. An hour or so before serving, toss everything together.
This creamy side dish recipe is made with mayonnaise and must be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Since any dish made with mayonnaise can spoil, ensure it’s not left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. If you serve it at a cookout, picnic, or outdoors, here’s a great tip – fill a large bowl with ice, then place the coleslaw on top to keep it cool.
Craving More? Try These Recipes
If you tried this Creamy Coleslaw Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
Creamy Coleslaw
- 1 14-ounce package coleslaw mix
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add coleslaw mix to a bowl along with the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix together until well blended.
- Store in the refrigerator covered until ready to serve.
Notes
- Since this recipe is made with mayonnaise, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
- When serving, make sure it’s not left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. If you are going to serve it outside, here’s a great tip – fill a large bowl with ice then place the bowl of coleslaw on top to keep it cool.
- Use good quality mayonnaise. The flavor of the mayonnaise will make a big difference in the overall taste of the coleslaw.
- Don’t over-mix the coleslaw. Over-mixing will make the cabbage mushy.
- Add a little bit of grated carrot and purple cabbage to the coleslaw for added color and sweetness.
- If you want a spicier coleslaw, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
Nutrition
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
So easy to make and so good!!!! Goes with so many things! Family and friends love it.
Thanks, Roz! Glad you enjoyed it.
~Donya
overall good, I’m a new coleslaw eater lol and quite picky so I’m dedicating time to make new versions. I did yours to the letter and the Apple cider vinegar was a little overpowering maybe its me. I added more salt and it was to my taste good. thanks for sharing
Sometimes I like to add Bow Tie Pasta to the mix along with the carrots and red cabbage.
This was delicious. I made it as written and tasted it, and it was good. But since I like a tangy coleslaw, I added 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar and it was perfect for my tastes! I also cut my coleslaw mix into smaller pieces since it was very roughly shredded, and I intend to use it on hot dogs. Saving this recipe–thank you!
I did as you suggested after reading your reply about hot dog sauce. I will now make both for Labor day but will substitute Tarragone vinegar for the apple cider vinegar and add some poppy seeds. Thanks again! Adding this new vinegar will change your life!!! haha
Hey there Baltisraul!
Yayyy! I am so happy to hear that you’re giving the Carolina Slaw Dogs a try, I promise the combination of this Creamy Coleslaw and my Hot Dog Chili is a match made in heaven, you’re going to love it! Adding poppy seeds and trading out the vinegar is a great idea, I am a big proponent of preparing recipes to fit your own tastes. Thank you so much for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate all your continuous support!
~Donya
Your circus, your monkey’s. I try and catch all your performances. Your stuff is always top shelf.
Hey there!
Thank you so much for all your support, I am so happy that you’ve been enjoying my recipes! Let me know if you ever have any questions, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
That sounds good!! I like tarragon vinegar
This is probably a silly question but what is the difference between Kosher salt and Sea Salt??
Hey there Susan!
That’s not a silly question at all, it’s a very good one! The main difference between Kosher and regular sea salt is the purification process. Kosher Sea Salt is made entirely of sodium chloride, whereas regular salt can contain trace minerals, iodine, or anti-clumping agents. For this recipe, you want to use Kosher Sea Salt if you can, it really adds to and deepens the flavor of the slaw. Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think if you give it a try!
~Donya
I saw the picture and recipe yesterday and decided I needed to make Creamy Coleslaw now! I’m not a big coleslaw fan, but this is SO GOOD! I can’t wait now to
try the Pineapple slaw!
Hey there Dede!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, it’s hard to resist even if you aren’t a coleslaw lover. If you’re trying new slaw recipes, you should definitely check out my Pineapple Slaw, but I think you’d also really like my Brussels Sprouts slaw, it’s made with pomegranate seeds and it’s totally delicious. Thank you so much for your kind words and your phenomenal rating, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya