Easy Homemade Coleslaw

This recipe for Homemade Coleslaw comes together in minutes with just a few ingredients and is the perfect side dish or accompaniment to barbecue sandwiches.

Coleslaw, like Pasta Salad and Potato Salad, makes a perfect summer side dish. But this creamy coleslaw is also delicious served on Hamburgers,  BBQ Pork Sandwiches, or BBQ Chicken Burgers, as the creaminess and crisp texture cut through and balance out the rich meat.

Coleslaw is a classic summer side dish made with cabbage and a creamy, tangy dressing.

This is a classic recipe for coleslaw. It is basic, simple, yet perfect. It comes together in just minutes and is SO much better tasting than any store-bought coleslaw.

And while coleslaw makes a great side dish, it is also the perfect condiment to burgers, hot dogs, or pulled pork sandwiches. The crunchy cabbage, paired with a tangy, creamy sauce is perfect to cut through heavier summer dishes.

Trust me, once you make coleslaw at home, you will never go back to purchasing premade coleslaw again.

Coleslaw Ingredients

• Cabbage Mix: I prefer to shred my own cabbage and carrots instead of buying a pre-packaged bag of coleslaw mix. It is much more economical AND honestly, I prefer the taste. I find most bags of shredded cabbage to have a bitter, acidic taste. For this recipe, green cabbage is traditional. Red cabbage can be substituted but will give a pink tinge to your dressing. I also add in shredded carrots. They are optional but add a punch of color and a tiny bit of natural sweetness.
• Mayonnaise or Plain Greek Yogurt: Whether you use mayonnaise, as is traditional in coleslaw, or Greek yogurt for a lighter version of coleslaw, this recipe will not disappoint.
• Vinegar: Vinegar adds a bit of tang to the coleslaw and cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and helps to break down the coleslaw. Use either apple cider or white distilled vinegar.
• Sweetness: Coleslaw needs a bit of sweetness to balance out the flavors. Use honey or granulated sugar.
• Salt: For flavor and to help soften the cabbage.

How To Make Coleslaw

• Cut the cabbage into quarters and peel the carrot.
• Fit a food processor with the grater blade and finely grate the cabbage and carrots.

If you don't have a food processor, feel free to use a 14-ounce bag of pre-shredded coleslaw for this coleslaw recipe. Or you can thinly slice up the cabbage and grate the cabbage on a box grater.

• Prepare the coleslaw dressing, by whisking together the mayonnaise or yogurt with the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

• Add the cabbage mixture to the mixing bowl and toss until the cabbage and carrots are coated in the dressing.
• Cover and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will give the cabbage time to soften and absorb the flavor of the coleslaw dressing.

Make-Ahead and Serving Suggestions

For the best flavor, prepare this creamy coleslaw at least 1 hour before serving, and no more than 48 hours after preparing. After 2 days have passed, the coleslaw will become watery, as the cabbage breaks down and releases its natural liquid.

Coleslaw can be served on the side of any meal like Ribs or Barbecue Chicken, but it is also great served in more creative ways.

• Use to top a Pulled Pork Sandwich to cut through the rich meat.
• Top Chicken Burgers with homemade coleslaw to add crunch and creaminess.
• Serve with Pulled Pork Pizza for a cool, crisp addition to the warm, rich pizza.
• Top baked sweet potatoes with barbecue meat and coleslaw.
• Top Sloppy Joes with coleslaw for texture and taste.

More Summer Side Dishes

• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Grilled Mexican Corn
• Baked Beans
• BLT Pasta Salad

Skip the premade coleslaw, and easily make your own. The taste of homemade coleslaw can not be beaten!

This post was originally published in 2018 nut has been updated in 2020 with new tips.