Creamy Coleslaw Recipe

Name: Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 bag (16 ounce) coleslaw mix (about 6 cups) ((pre-shredded cabbage and carrots)); ½ cup light mayonnaise ((or regular mayonnaise, if you prefer)); 3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon celery salt ((see notes))

This classic creamy coleslaw recipe will become a family favorite. It’s easy to prepare, stores well in the refrigerator, and is perfect for picnics and barbecues.

Why You’ll Love It

Why you’ll love it: Creamy, classic, it’s the perfect side dish.

How long it takes: Just over an hour, but most of that is chilling time.
Equipment you’ll need: Large bowl and spoon
Servings: 6

Creamy coleslaw in a bowl with wooden spoon.

Sweet and tangy, creamy coleslaw is the ubiquitous side dish in restaurants, often served in a little plastic cup alongside fried chicken (think KFC!), fish ‘n chips, hamburgers, pulled pork, you name it. Why is that? Because it’s a perfect side kick to almost anything. It’s economical to make, it’s easy to prepare and serve, and it stays fresh for a few days in the fridge, unlike most salads.

Those are the very reasons you should be making your own coleslaw to serve at home! This classic creamy coleslaw recipe is a favorite with my family and I’m sure it will become the same for yours.

While there are literally hundreds of recipes for coleslaw, some with a vinegar based dressing (vinegar cole slaw), others that use less mayonnaise (check out this reduced fat coleslaw recipe), or other variations, this recipe is more in the classic Southern creamy style, typical of what’s usually served in restaurants.

Did you Know?

Coleslaw began as a Dutch recipe for cabbage salad way back in the olden days and it was called “koolsla”? I have Dutch ancestors (along with Irish and Scottish) so I kind of like that it was a Dutch recipe originally. Isn’t it so interesting to find out that foods we consider so all-American have their roots in cultures around the world?

About this creamy coleslaw recipe

I love this easy creamy coleslaw recipe! It’s such a cinch to make with only 6 ingredients.

Buying a bag of coleslaw mix from the grocery store, mixing it with a mayonnaise based dressing, and refrigerating for an hour. What could be easier than that?

What’s coleslaw mix?

Shredded cabbage (green cabbage and sometimes mixed with red cabbage) and shredded carrots. If you want to shred your own cabbage, that’s fine, too. I love freshly shredded cabbage for the flavor, but I confess that I usually buy a bag of already shredded cabbage for this recipe. It’s just so convenient. You can whip this coleslaw up in 5 minutes using a 16 ounce bag of coleslaw mix. 5 minutes!

Recipe Tip

If you do want to shred your own cabbage, try using the shredder attachment of your food processor! You’ll have shredded an entire head of cabbage in seconds, and it works great for the carrots, too!

Creamy coleslaw with a wooden handled spoon.

How to Make It

Mix together a mayonnaise dressing, add the cabbage mix, and stir well until the cabbage is completely coated with the dressing.

Cover the bowl, and put the coleslaw back in the fridge for an hour to marinate a bit. When you’re ready to eat, it’s ready to serve!

Coleslaw in a bowl with a blue and white linen.

Make It Your Own

This is a basic, Southern style coleslaw recipe, with a sweet creamy dressing. There are plenty of ways to personalize it. Here are a few suggestions:

Shred your own cabbage and carrots rather than buying a bag of coleslaw mix. You’ll need about six cups.
Add one (or more) of these: ¼ cup finely chopped onion, ¼ cup finely chopped parsley, ½ cup green or red bell pepper, or 1 cup shredded kale.
Instead of the celery salt, substitute ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon celery seed. This will result in a slightly stronger celery flavor.
Not crazy about cabbage? Try homemade creamy potato salad!

FAQs

How do I stop my coleslaw from getting watery?

If you’re shredding your own cabbage, make sure the cabbage is totally dry before mixing with the dressing. Always stir the coleslaw well before serving.

What is coleslaw made of?

Basic coleslaw is made of shredded cabbage and a vinegar based dressing, sometimes creamy, and sometimes not. There are lots of variations.

When should you put dressing on coleslaw?

One of the reasons I love coleslaw is that you can put the dressing on ahead of time and store the salad in the fridge, unlike many other salads. Put it on right away and let the shredded cabbage marinate in the dressing awhile. You’ll notice that the coleslaw kind of “shrinks” after it’s been refrigerated an hour or so. It looks like that because the cabbage has softened and settled a little. That’s good! It’s what you want it to do.

How long should coleslaw sit before serving?

Coleslaw actually tastes better if you make it at least an hour before serving which makes it a perfect salad to serve if you’re in a rush. That’s the reason it’s a perfect salad to serve if you’re in a rush or if you’re bringing it to a picnic or potluck.

Can you freeze coleslaw?

Any creamy coleslaw recipe with a mayonnaise based dressing should not be frozen. You’ll end up with a watery mess.
You can freeze coleslaw made with a vinegar based dressing. Put it in an airtight resealable bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Coleslaw can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered. Stir well before serving. If refrigerated, coleslaw should last 3 to 5 days. Recipe is easily doubled or tripled.

Looking for a dressing recipe that you can make ahead? Try my easy coleslaw dressing recipe. It’s much more economical than purchased dressing, and healthier, too.

What goes with coleslaw?

Pretty much everything! I love coleslaw with a sandwich but I also love it on a sandwich. Creamy coleslaw goes great with main dishes and it’s an easy side dish. Try it with (or on):

Oven baked turkey sliders (Rachel sandwiches) — turkey’s answer to classic Reubens
Pulled pork sandwiches: Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Plum Bourbon Sauce, or Mango Bourbon Pulled Pork
Caesar Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets or Chicken Nuggets with Parmesan
Classic Meatloaf
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches or Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Crockpot BBQ Chicken

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