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Updated on May 21, 2023
This Coleslaw Dressing is creamy and so easy to make from scratch with just a handful of ingredients. Toss it with fresh shredded cabbage for the best homemade coleslaw, or use it to elevate the flavor of store-bought coleslaw mix.
Summer side dishes are some of my favorite recipes to prepare. When fresh produce is at its peak, I can’t resist mixing up a Broccoli Salad, Corn Salad or a dish of creamy, crunchy coleslaw.
Sure, you can buy a package of coleslaw mix at the store, but fresh is always better. The best part of my homemade Coleslaw Recipe is the from scratch coleslaw dressing! When you make this creamy dressing yourself, you can adjust the flavors to your preferences, making it a little sweeter or tangier so that it’s just how you like it.
Best Coleslaw Dressing
- This homemade coleslaw dressing has the best flavor! It’s creamy and slightly tangy with a touch of sweetness.
- You’ll need just five ingredients, plus salt and pepper, to make this from scratch.
- This easy coleslaw dressing recipe takes just minutes to mix up. You can even make it ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Besides making the best classic coleslaw, this dressing is also perfect tossed with this Apple Slaw. It would make a delicious dressing for broccoli slaw as well!
Serve your homemade coleslaw on top of an Instant Pot Pulled Pork sandwich or with Instant Pot BBQ Chicken or Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken for an easy summer meal.
Ingredients
Here is an overview of the ingredients needed to make this recipe, plus substitution options. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.
- Mayonnaise: Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best taste. Vegan mayo can be used if desired. I often make this with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a healthy coleslaw dressing. The yogurt gives it a light, fresh flavor.
- Honey: Honey brings a touch of sweetness to the dressing. Pure maple syrup is a good substitute. You can also use granulated sugar.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This brightens the flavor and makes the dressing a little tangy.
- Dijon Mustard: I love the sharp, tangy flavor that a bit of Dijon brings. If you’re not a fan of mustard you can leave it out.
- Celery Seed: Ground celery seed gives this coleslaw dressing its characteristic look with flecks of celery seed throughout. The celery seed also adds a bit of an earthy flavor. If you don’t have celery seed on hand, the dressing can be made without it.
- Salt and Pepper: I always recommend tasting the dressing and adding more salt and pepper as desired, to your tastes.
How to Make Coleslaw Dressing
You can make this easy recipe in just two simple steps!
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
- Taste and adjust the flavors as needed. You may want to add more honey for a sweeter dressing or more apple cider vinegar to make it tangier. Add more salt and pepper as needed.
To Make Coleslaw
To make coleslaw, mix about 3/4 of the dressing with either 6 cups of shredded cabbage and shredded carrots or one 14 ounce bag of store-bought coleslaw mix. I recommend that you do not add all of the dressing from the start because you can always add more to reach your desired creaminess. How much coleslaw dressing to use is up to you and depends on how creamy you like your coleslaw.
How Long Does Coleslaw Dressing Last?
This dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For the best taste, chill the dressing before mixing it with your coleslaw mix.
Coleslaw is best served the day it is mixed with the dressing. If you want to make ahead, I recommend storing the coleslaw mix and dressing separately in the refrigerator. Mix them together no more than a few hours before you plan to serve the coleslaw.
More Homemade Dressings and Sauces
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Vinaigrette Recipe
- Italian Dressing
- Fish Taco Sauce
- Greek Salad Dressing
4.96 from 21 ratings
Coleslaw Dressing
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
This homemade Coleslaw Dressing is creamy and so easy to make from scratch with just a handful of ingredients. Toss it with fresh shredded cabbage for the best homemade coleslaw, or use it to elevate the flavor of store-bought coleslaw mix.It's also delicious with broccoli slaw or apple slaw!
Print Recipe Leave a Review Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise , or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey*
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon celery seed, optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until well combined.
Taste the dressing and add more salt and pepper as needed. If you want the dressing sweeter, add a bit more honey. If you want it tangier, add a little more apple cider vinegar.
Dressing can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
To make coleslaw, toss about ¾ of the dressing with 6 cups of shredded cabbage and carrots, or a 14 ounce bag of coleslaw mix. Add more dressing as needed until the coleslaw is as creamy as you like it. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Coleslaw is best the day it is mixed with the dressing.
Notes
- Pure maple syrup may be substituted for the honey.
Calories: 209kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 265mg, Potassium: 17mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 19IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: DIY, Dressing, Salad Dressing
Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.
This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!
5 Ingredients Sauces / Seasonings / Dressings / Spreads
posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Jun 18, 2021 (last updated May 21, 2023)
37 comments Leave a comment »
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37 comments on “Coleslaw Dressing”
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Michelle — Reply
This was soooo delicious! I used 1/2 mayo and 1/2 Greek yogurt. Thank-you!!!!
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Martha — Reply
Just tossed this with a bag of coleslaw mix. Everyone ate it up! Thank you!
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Suzanne Richardson — Reply
This is by far the best recipe I’ve made so far!!! Thank you?????❤
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Lisa — Reply
I had a bag of coleslaw I needed to use and found this on Pinterest. I can’t stop shoveling this in my face!
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Julie — Reply
Husband said it is the best cole slaw he has ever had! He no longer wants any other kind.
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Michelle — Reply
How big is your serving size? Need to know for scale. Thanks!
- See AlsoCajun Remoulade Sauce Recipe
Kristine Rosenblatt — Reply
It’s calculated based on 8 servings, so one serving would be 1/8 of the full recipe.
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Donna Baumann — Reply
This is the best cole slaw recipe I have ever had. I am basically obsessed with it!
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Priscilla Neumeyer — Reply
My sister in law made pulled pork and added this to too them off. It was amazing. 2 weeks later and I’m in the kitchen making it for my family. Thank you!
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Lisa — Reply
Five times this recipe is perfect for a 5 pound catering bag of shredded cabbage. My tailgate contribution was ready in minutes when I made this recipe in my blender and mixed it all together.
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GRMA25 — Reply
This dressing has become my go to for coleslaw and is also excellent on a broccoli and cauliflower salad with red onion, bacon and sunflower seeds.
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Peter Ouellette — Reply
I love Cole slaw and have been searching for a really good dressing. While, I want to thank you for.a very delicious recipe. It has a sweet, yet tangy flavour with a smooth, creamy mayonnaise base. I added a 1/2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar. I live it! The next time I’ll add your recommended celery seed. Sounds great. Thanks very much.
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Norma Halsted — Reply
My daughter-in-law introduced me to coleslaw dressing. I don’t like coleslaw but I do like the dressing. She served the store bought dressing with a lettuce salad. It was so good. Now I will have to make me some homemade coleslaw dressing. 😋
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BettyB — Reply
So easy and very tasty. Add a little cayenne if you want some kick! This is now my Go To for any slaw.
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Mattie — Reply
I have made this dressing several times and it is always very good. I usually add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic and onion powder to mine.
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DeeDee — Reply
I really enjoyed this recipe. I made it exactly as directed. No adjustments needed. Thank you!
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Helen — Reply
Sooooo much better than any store bought dressing! Thank you for posting!
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Jackie Infurchia — Reply
Delicious
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Kathy Lay — Reply
Can you please tell me how large the servings are for each serving to be 209 calories ?
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Kristine Rosenblatt — Reply
Since the recipe makes 8 servings, one serving would be 1/8 of the total recipe. Please know that the nutrition information is only an estimate, and may vary depending on the brands/ingredients used.
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Michelle Harris-Shields — Reply
I made this and another cole slaw dressing recipe and tried them both before I added the Coleslaw. So glad I did because this one was the hands-down winner!! Delicious!!
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Sandi — Reply
This dressing is delicious!! Its good to be used as salad dressing on a salad!
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Cindy — Reply
I’m addicted to this recipe I’ve made it several times and I just love it it fits in with my anti inflammatory diet perfectly.
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Suzanne — Reply
Dressing was the best I have ever made! My Mother-in-Law always cut of a cucumber in little squares and also a tomato and little green onion and added to her slaw. I added all to the slaw using this dressing and it was delish! Will be sure to make this dressing again! Love it!
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Kristine Rosenblatt — Reply
That sounds delicious! I love the sound of the cucumber and green onion. Thank you for trying this recipe and for taking the time to leave a review!
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Stephanie Scott — Reply
Very good dressing recipe, it wasn’t overly sweet, and had a good flavor. This one is a keeper.
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Stephanie — Reply
This is perfect! Quick easy and the perfect amount. All stuff that’s in the kitchen so never need to buy dressing from the store and the flavor would never compare. Thanks so much!
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Laureen J — Reply
SERIOUSLY the best coleslaw sauce EVER!! This sauce would be good on any salad, it’s going to be my new “go-to” recipe for summer. Thanks for such an easy, quick and delicious recipe!!
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Steph — Reply
Good recipe! Can dressing be made in bulk and stored for later use?
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Kristine Rosenblatt — Reply
You can store this dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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Maxine — Reply
Very good, I like the measurements as you can make a small batch and make it either sweet or tangy and add any flavour through different spices.
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Susan — Reply
Very very good!! This is the only coleslaw dressing I use!
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Doro N — Reply
I have been searching for this recipe all my adult life! Thank you. It is perfect.
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Kris — Reply
I’ve tried multiple recipes for Cole slaw dressing. (Feels like hundreds.). This is the best I’ve found—for my family’s palate at least.
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Kendale C Sanford — Reply
I just made this dressing and OMG it is amazing. I can’t wait to have it with bbq pulled pork
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MeShell709 — Reply
Delicious! Would not change a thing. Quick and easy. My go to from now on!
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Carolyn Offerhaus — Reply
I just made this dressing it is absolutely delicious. Just the right amount of tang just what you want with your coleslaw
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