The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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Crispy, colorful veggies get coated in a creamy, mayo-based dressing in this delicious, classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe!

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (1)

I feel like people either love or hate coleslaw.

Then, among the group of coleslaw lovers, people usually fall into two groups of people: vinegar dressing coleslaw lovers OR mayo dressing coleslaw lovers.

I'm a coleslaw with mayo dressing kinda gal.

(Well, to be honest, I'll eat any kind of vegan coleslaw if it's put in front of me, but a creamy, mayo-based dressing is definitely my favorite!)

Today I'm sharing my go-to, super classic and delicious Vegan Coleslaw Recipe!

I know you all will love this 15 minute, 8 ingredient recipe, so let me show you how to make it!

What is Coleslaw?

In general, coleslaw is a salad made with a base of shredded cabbage and carrots--sometimes other veggies--and a creamy mayonnaise dressing.

However, there are so many different variations of coleslaw nowadays.

You can make coleslaw with vinegar based dressings if you aren't a big mayo fan.

You can add in different types of shredded veggies.

Even today's recipe is fully vegan, which isn't traditional, but it tastes just as delicious!

Is Coleslaw Different than Salad?

The main difference between coleslaw and salad is that coleslaw always contains shredded cabbage.

So I guess, coleslaw is a salad, but salad isn't always coleslaw!

Egg-Free Coleslaw Dressing Recipe

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (2)

The dressing for this creamy vegan coleslaw recipe is the star of the show, especially if you like mayo-based, creamy dressings...which I do!

To make a dairy-free coleslaw dressing, you'll need the following ingredients:

  • Vegan mayonnaise
  • Sugar
  • Lemon juice
  • White vinegar
  • Salt
  • Pepper

That's it! Super simple, huh?

If you want to serve your coleslaw as fresh as possible, you can always make the dressing ahead of time and just add it to freshly shredded veggies when you're ready to eat!

Simply make the dressing and place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Pour it over your favorite shredded veggies, stir and enjoy!

What Can I Use Instead of Sugar in Coleslaw Dressing?

If you don't want to use white or cane sugar like this recipe calls for, you can always use maple syrup or agave!

Or, if you're not vegan, honey is also a great sweetener for this dressing.

How to Make Vegan Coleslaw

The base of coleslaw is just a bunch of shredded veggies, so that aspect of coleslaw is already vegan.

However, traditional coleslaw is made with mayonnaise which contains eggs and is therefore not vegan.

So to make vegan coleslaw, you simply need to use an egg-free or vegan mayonnaise.

Then you're good to go!

Simply place your shredded veggies in a bowl and pour over your vegan coleslaw dressing. Stir well to combine and your vegan coleslaw is all set and ready to enjoy!

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (3)

Step 1: Thinly shred your cabbage and carrot. You'll need about 8 cups of shredded veggies!

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (4)

Step 2: Place the shredded veggies into a large mixing bowl.

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (5)

Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the creamy coleslaw dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies and stir until all of the vegetables have been coated in the dressing.

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (6)

Step 4: Season with lots of freshly ground black pepper. Taste the coleslaw and add more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!

How Long Does Coleslaw Last in the Fridge?

I love coleslaw because it's a great meal-prep salad.

Cruciferous veggies, such as cabbage, are hearty and don't get too soggy if they sit in dressing for a couple of days.

This vegan coleslaw recipe should last in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Alternatively, like I mentioned above, you can also make the dressing in advance and add it to shredded veggies right before serving!

Best Foods to Eat with Coleslaw

Coleslaw makes the best side dish for so many dishes and meals.

I'll list out some of our favorite ways to enjoy coleslaw below!

  • As a side dish with BBQ Veggie Burgers
  • On top of Lentil Sloppy Joes (or any sandwich!)
  • As a filling for wraps
  • As a fresh, crisp condiment for tacos, hotdogs and burgers
  • In buddha bowls as the veggie
  • As the veggie component of a cold pasta salad
  • Straight out of the container!
The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (7)

📖 Recipe

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (8)

Vegan Coleslaw Recipe

Faith VanderMolen

Crispy, colorful veggies get coated in a creamy, mayo-based dressing in this delicious, classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 129 kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 2 cups shredded carrots

DRESSING

Instructions

  • Place the shredded veggies into a large mixing bowl.

  • In a smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth, including a big pinch of salt and lots of black pepper. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

  • Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies and stir until well combined.

  • Enjoy!

Notes

In total, you need about 8 cups of shredded veggies or one 14 ounce bag of coleslaw mix.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 112mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5398IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 0.3mg

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar for coleslaw? ›

However, there is a best vinegar to use, and it's apple cider vinegar. The reason is threefold: taste, chemical makeup, and health benefits. Though there's no shortage of other types of vinegar, none has this ideal trifecta to best complement your cabbage and its other coleslaw vegetable ingredients.

What is Amish coleslaw made of? ›

CABBAGE, MAYONNAISE (SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLKS [EGG YOLKS, SALT], HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD [WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, SPICES], WATER, SALT), FRUCTOSE, SUGAR, CARROTS, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GLUCONO DELTA LACTONE, PEA FIBER, ERYTHORBIC ACID (TO ...

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

Which vinegar is best for weight loss? ›

Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat.

Why do you add honey to apple cider vinegar? ›

This refreshing combination is ideal for starting your day in the morning. Apple cider vinegar with honey gives you a much-needed morning energy boost. Some folks, however, prefer it at night to aid digestion and sleep.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Is coleslaw healthy or unhealthy Why? ›

Yes, coleslaw can be healthy! The base of coleslaw is shredded vegetables (traditionally cabbage), so inherently coleslaw is vitamin- and fiber-packed and good for you. The issue is the dressing. Most traditional creamy coleslaw dressing is made with high fat ingredients like mayo and has sugar added too.

What can I add to store-bought coleslaw to make it taste better? ›

<br/><br/>Adding horse radish or onion or celery seeds or bacon bits or some other tasty flavors to make it your own is a really good idea.

What spice takes away bitterness? ›

Spices mask bitter flavors, so don't be shy. Add some spicy peppers or powders to your cooking, or sprinkle some onto your dishes for a little bit of extra heat. Black pepper in particular has compounds that counteract bitterness. Some other great spices include cayenne, red pepper, paprika, and chili powder.

Why is my coleslaw so bland? ›

Neglecting to add enough spices or seasoning

Perhaps the recipe you followed is just inherently bland. If your dressing is already applied, you only have one choice left to turn your coleslaw around. You've got to add some seasoning or spice. Start by adding salt and pepper to taste.

Is it better to use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

The main difference between apple cider vinegar and white vinegar lies in their source, composition, benefits, and usage. Apple cider vinegar is often associated with health benefits such as improved digestion and blood sugar regulation, while white vinegar is more commonly linked to cleaning and culinary applications.

What is a substitute for white vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Light-bodied rice vinegar is among the most versatile white wine vinegar substitutes. Also called rice wine vinegar, it's made from white, brown, or black rice that's fermented until the sugars and starches turn into alcohol and then acetic acid.

Can I substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar? ›

White vinegar substitute: If you need a different vinegar to substitute for white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar. You could also swap in lemon or lime juice, depending on your recipe. When you're canning or pickling, there are no comparable substitutes.

How do you tone down the vinegar taste in coleslaw? ›

- Add some sugar or honey to the dish. Sugar and honey can counteract the sourness of vinegar and add some sweetness to the dish. You can start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.

References

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