A truly great coleslaw dressing is balanced, creamy but not thick, tangy but not sharp, slightly sweet but never sugary. This guide explains exactly how to achieve that perfect flavor profile every single time. You can also read more for variations, substitutions and all you need to know to make the best homemade coleslaw dressing.
There’s nothing like homemade coleslaw dressing stored in your fridge for emergency slaw cravings. Whether you’re serving it with barbecue, burgers, Cheeseburger Sliders or Chicken Sliders, fish tacos, this dressing is a must! You can toss it with a simple cabbage and carrot to make Fish Taco Slaw, or with Corn Coleslaw.
We also love it spread on sandwiches, tossed over Cauliflower Salad or Broccoli Salad or both Broccoli Cauliflower Salad!
What Is Coleslaw Dressing?
Coleslaw dressing is a creamy, tangy sauce traditionally made with a mayonnaise base, acid (usually vinegar), and a touch of sweetness. Its purpose is to coat shredded cabbage while creating contrast. Rich, bright, and slightly sweet all at once.
The difference between average and exceptional slaw is the ratio and resting time. Unlike salad dressings that are poured over greens, coleslaw dressings must cling to shredded cabbage and other ingredients. So it’s one of the best make ahead options for salads!
Why This Coleslaw Dressing Works, and Why You’ll LOVE it
- The acidity is perfectly balanced, so it’s tangy but not harsh.
- Sweetness is there but moderate
- It has an absolutely creamy smooth texture without being heavy.
- Totally customizable for Southern, healthy, or vinegar style slaw.
- Also customizable for spice, lightness, saltiness and more!
- One bowl and a whisk is all you need, or even a spoon.
- It’s ready in minutes!
- Stores in the fridge beautifully.
- You can use it over sandwiches, dips, sauces, dressings and more! But it’s a lifesaver for ready made coleslaw mix.
- If you’re a lover of KFC coleslaw, this is similar enough but even better! It’s slightly lighter because of the yogurt, and a bit less in sweetness. You can remove easily make it into a copycat recipe if you want.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mayonnaise. The creamy base and the foundation of richness. You can use low fat Mayo, or in some vases, use entirely sour cream.
- Sour Cream or Yogurt. To break the richness of the mayo, and add in some tang. We prefer a 1:3 ratio so for every 1 tablespoon of sour cream (or yogurt), we use 3 tablespoons of mayo. You can try a 1:2 or 1:1, it’s very customizable.
- Seasoning. Salt and black pepper are the essential seasoning
- Vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar, old fashioned white vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- Sugar. Regular granulated sugar for the sweetness you want.
- Optional: Any of those: Relish, Dijon mustard, pinch of celery seed, parsley, splash of lemon juice or little buttermilk to thin.
How to Make ColeSlaw Dressing
Mix All Ingredients
- This is seriously as simple as a one bowl thing.
- So in a bowl, add in all the ingredients together, and use a whisk to blend it in.
- Whisk them together until smooth and creamy.
- Taste the seasoning and balance the sweetness. Here’s where you can make it more of a sweet coleslaw dressing versus a balanced one.
- Then adjust the consistency by adding some buttermilk to balance out how thick or thin you want the dressing to be.
Chill Before Using
- Optimally, coleslaw dressing tastes better then chilled for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator before using.
- You can also toss it with your red cabbage (or green cabbage), potato salad or broccoli slaw or any salad mix, and then refrigerate the salad. Just chill for 30 minutes before serving.
- Then serve the salad and enjoy a crowd pleaser homemade coleslaw dressing that’s so tasty!
Pro Tips for Perfect Cole slaw Dressing Every Time
- Don’t overdress your coleslaw no matter how tempting it is. Add just enough dressing to coat the salad.
- Add dressing gradually to the cups of shredded cabbage. You can always add more, but you can’t remove excess.
- Let this creamy coleslaw recipe rest for 30 minutes for the consistency and flavors to blend well. You can have it rested in a bowl or after dressing your salad.
- Coleslaw always tastes better after sitting for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. So make this in advance and enjoy the convenience!
- To prevent watery slaw, you can lightly salt shredded cabbage first (or head of cabbage) and let it sit. Drain excess moisture before mixing.
- Use full fat Mayonnaise for a creamy thick and best coleslaw dressing! Low fat versions tend to separate and create a thinner dressing consistency.
- Adding in sour cream or yogurt with the mayo helps cut through the richness by adding a layer of tang and brightness.
Flavor Variations
- Southern Style Coleslaw Dressing: Slightly sweeter with a touch of yellow mustard and plenty of buttermilk.
- Tangy Vinegar: Increase acidity and reduce sweetness for BBQ pairings or hamburgers.
- Healthier: Replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Keto Friendly: Use a sugar substitute to maintain sweetness without carbs.
- Sweet Zesty: Use honey, orange juice or lemon, citrus zest, and vinegar
How Long Does Coleslaw Dressing Last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it keeps well for up to 6 days. Whisk before using if separation occurs and adjust any extra seasoning if needed. It’s best not to freeze the dressing because the texture will change dramatically.
What is traditional coleslaw dressing made of?
Traditional coleslaw dressing is made from simple ingredients. It includes mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Some versions include mustard or celery seed for additional flavor depth.
Why is my coleslaw watery?
Coleslaw becomes watery when cabbage releases too much moisture after being dressed. Or if you use low fat mayonnaise, or use a thin dressing to start with. Keep in mind the dressing will thin out when tossed with the salad, to while you adjust the consistency of the dressing, make it slightly thicker than you want.
Can I make coleslaw dressing ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves in flavor when made several hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
What vinegar is best for coleslaw dressing?
Apple cider vinegar is most common because it offers mild sweetness and depth. White vinegar works but is sharper.
How do restaurants make coleslaw taste better?
Restaurants often will use full fat mayonnaise so it has a super creamy texture. They would also add celery seed and probably Dijon mustard for depth. The dressing is most likely rested and chilled for a couple hours so the flavors are deep. And of course, overall the coleslaw drssing is well balanced in terms of acidity and sweetness.
Can I make coleslaw dressing without mayonnaise?
Yes. You can create a vinegar based version using oil and vinegar for a lighter, non creamy option. You can also make a yogurt only or sour cream only based dressing.
Is coleslaw dressing the same as Thousand Island dressing?
No. Thousand Island contains ketchup and relish, while coleslaw dressing is simpler and more tangy.
What’s the difference between coleslaw dressing and regular salad dressing?
Coleslaw dressing is thicker and sweeter so it clings to shredded vegetables, while salad dressings are lighter and thin, designed to coat leafy greens.
Can I make coleslaw dressing ahead of time?
Yes, it actually gets better after resting for a few hours. Store in the fridge up to 6 days.
Is coleslaw dressing healthy?
It depends on ingredients. Use Greek yogurt or olive oil instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, nutrient rich option.
Can I freeze coleslaw dressing?
Not recommended. Emulsified dressings (mayo-based dressing or yogurt based) can separate when thawed.
Can I make this dressing vegan?
Yes, by using vegan mayo and choose vegan yogurt if desired to blend it in. You can also use maple syrup for sweetness.
How to Serve coleslaw?
- Use it as a perfect side dish on its own.
- Best topping or side to Chicken Sliders or Cheeseburger Sliders.
- Fried chicken
- Burgers
- Fish tacos, Flank Steak Tacos, Lamb Tacos, Ground Chicken Tacos.
- Crawfish Boil, Mayonnaise Biscuits with Hot Honey Chicken
Coleslaw Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Sour Cream or Yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon each Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet relish
Instructions
-
Mix All Ingredients
-
In a bowl, add in all the ingredients together, and use a whisk to blend it in.
-
Whisk them together until smooth and creamy.
-
Taste the seasoning and balance the sweetness. Here’s where you can make it more of a sweet coleslaw dressing versus a balanced one.
-
Then adjust the consistency by adding some buttermilk to balance out how thick or thin you want the dressing to be.
-
Optimally, coleslaw dressing tastes better then chilled for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator before using.
-
You can also toss it with your red cabbage (or green cabbage), potato salad or broccoli slaw or any salad mix, and then refrigerate the salad. Just chill for 30 minutes before serving.
-
Then serve the salad and enjoy a crowd pleaser homemade coleslaw dressing that's so tasty!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips for Perfect Cole slaw Dressing Every Time
- Don’t overdress your coleslaw no matter how tempting it is. Add just enough dressing to coat the salad.
- Add dressing gradually to the cups of shredded cabbage. You can always add more, but you can’t remove excess.
- Let this creamy coleslaw recipe rest for 30 minutes for the consistency and flavors to blend well. You can have it rested in a bowl or after dressing your salad.
- Coleslaw always tastes better after sitting for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. So make this in advance and enjoy the convenience!
- To prevent watery slaw, you can lightly salt shredded cabbage first (or head of cabbage) and let it sit. Drain excess moisture before mixing.
- Use full fat Mayonnaise for a creamy thick and best coleslaw dressing! Low fat versions tend to separate and create a thinner dressing consistency.
- Adding in sour cream or yogurt with the mayo helps cut through the richness by adding a layer of tang and brightness.
Flavor Variations
- Southern Style Coleslaw Dressing: Slightly sweeter with a touch of yellow mustard and plenty of buttermilk.
- Tangy Vinegar: Increase acidity and reduce sweetness for BBQ pairings or hamburgers.
- Healthier: Replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Keto Friendly: Use a sugar substitute to maintain sweetness without carbs.
- Sweet Zesty: Use honey, orange juice or lemon, citrus zest, and vinegar
How Long Does Coleslaw Dressing Last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it keeps well for up to 6 days. Whisk before using if separation occurs and adjust any extra seasoning if needed. It's best not to freeze the dressing because the texture will change dramatically.
What is traditional coleslaw dressing made of?
Traditional coleslaw dressing is made from simple ingredients. It includes mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Some versions include mustard or celery seed for additional flavor depth.
Why is my coleslaw watery?
Coleslaw becomes watery when cabbage releases too much moisture after being dressed. Or if you use low fat mayonnaise, or use a thin dressing to start with. Keep in mind the dressing will thin out when tossed with the salad, to while you adjust the consistency of the dressing, make it slightly thicker than you want.
Can I make coleslaw dressing ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves in flavor when made several hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
What vinegar is best for coleslaw dressing?
Apple cider vinegar is most common because it offers mild sweetness and depth. White vinegar works but is sharper.
How do restaurants make coleslaw taste better?
Restaurants often will use full fat mayonnaise so it has a super creamy texture. They would also add celery seed and probably Dijon mustard for depth. The dressing is most likely rested and chilled for a couple hours so the flavors are deep. And of course, overall the coleslaw drssing is well balanced in terms of acidity and sweetness.
Can I make coleslaw dressing without mayonnaise?
Yes. You can create a vinegar based version using oil and vinegar for a lighter, non creamy option. You can also make a yogurt only or sour cream only based dressing.
Is coleslaw dressing the same as Thousand Island dressing?
No. Thousand Island contains ketchup and relish, while coleslaw dressing is simpler and more tangy.
What’s the difference between coleslaw dressing and regular salad dressing?
Coleslaw dressing is thicker and sweeter so it clings to shredded vegetables, while salad dressings are lighter and thin, designed to coat leafy greens.
Can I make coleslaw dressing ahead of time?
Yes, it actually gets better after resting for a few hours. Store in the fridge up to 6 days.
Is coleslaw dressing healthy?
It depends on ingredients. Use Greek yogurt or olive oil instead of mayonnaise for a lighter, nutrient rich option.
Can I freeze coleslaw dressing?
Not recommended. Emulsified dressings (mayo-based dressing or yogurt based) can separate when thawed.
Can I make this dressing vegan?
Yes, by using vegan mayo and choose vegan yogurt if desired to blend it in. You can also use maple syrup for sweetness.
How to Serve coleslaw?
- Use it as a perfect side dish on its own.
- Best topping or side to Chicken Sliders or Cheeseburger Sliders.
- Fried chicken
- Burgers
- Fish tacos, Flank Steak Tacos, Lamb Tacos, Ground Chicken Tacos.
- Crawfish Boil, Mayonnaise Biscuits with Hot Honey Chicken
This coleslaw dressing looks tasty! It’s very easy to make and would be perfect to go on a salad!
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This is really good. I’ve been looking for a new coleslaw dressing for spring and summer parties, and this is perfect.