Easy Coleslaw Dressing

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Let me let you in on the best-kept coleslaw secret, which will let you make this ridiculously tasty and effortless coleslaw dressing recipe that’s got just the right kick.

Coleslaw is not just your regular side dish—it is that ‘wow’ factor that jazzes up pretty much any meal, from chill backyard BBQs to fancy dinner parties. With its ridiculously crunchy, fresh textures and that tangy zap, it’s a major hit with diners everywhere. Of course, I’m not talking about that store-bought stuff, which can be underwhelming. To hit that sweet spot of yum and creamy that we all love, you need to get busy in your kitchen. That’s where this to-die-for easy coleslaw dressing comes into play.

For lots of folks, nailing the ultimate coleslaw dressing can feel like chasing a rainbow. Too sweet? Not tangy enough? We’ve all been there, whether you’re a sassy kitchen pro or a total newbie to homemade dressing. You’re looking at the perfect harmony of flavors, time after time, with this easy recipe. Plus, you only need a few ingredients (and just a few minutes) to whip yourself up some next-level coleslaw.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Coleslaw gets an unfair rap for being a “fast food” salad but that’s probably because the only coleslaw many people eat is from a fast food restaurant. Grocery stores pre-make their slaws so those aren’t much better. But eating a homemade coleslaw will change their minds (and yours, if this is your first time making one).
The short list of ingredients is enough to convince anyone to give it a try. Plus, it comes together in no time so you can experiment with different ratios and find that perfect blend.

Is This Coleslaw Dressing Keto?

Yes, this dressing is keto friendly. All of the ingredients contain little to no carbs. We also don’t add any sugars to it, which so many store-bought dressings do, so you don’t have to worry about that, either. The mayonnaise, while containing fat, is low in carbs, though you should refer to the ingredients list to guarantee you’re getting one that hasn’t had any sugar added.

Ingredients

Don’t be fooled! Just because there is only a handful of ingredients doesn’t mean this dressing is lacking in taste.

½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ lemon juice
½ tsp black pepper, ground

Instructions

Add the ingredients to a mixing bowl.
Use a whisk to combine it all together until smooth.
Store in an airtight container until you need it.

Variations

If you like your dressings creamy, add some sour cream or even plain Greek yogurt. This will give you the texture you’re after while adding a subtle tang.
Just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean it can’t be spicy. Add some cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes for a spicier dressing. Start off slow, though; all are potent and one dash can mean the difference between a balanced dressing and an inedible liquid.
Once you’ve got the basic dressing recipe down, add some chopped fresh herbs, like dill, parsley, or cilantro. Again, go slow. It’s easy enough to add ingredients, considerably more difficult to remove them.

Tips and Tricks

If you are in a rush, play it smart: make the dressing right there in your serving bowl. The leafy vegetables can be added afterwards then mixed to be evenly coated.
The dressing keeps well, so make up a jar and always have some on hand in the fridge. I find this particularly useful during the summer when my slaw consumption goes up tenfold.
Let the finished coleslaw refrigerate for a few hours to overnight. This will give the dressing time to soften the cabbage and let the ingredients meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Don’t limit your use of this dressing to just coleslaw; it will taste great on other salads as well, like this Keto Broccoli Salad. Just replace the dressing included in this recipe with this coleslaw dressing. It can also be used as a dip for veggies the next time you have guests over. You can serve the vegetables raw or you can do something like this recipe for Roasted Eggplant, which would taste great with this dressing. You can also use it as a dip for these Juicy Boneless Pork Ribs. They are kept dry so the dressing won’t contrast poorly with any BBQ sauce.

FAQs

Can I use something other than mayonnaise for this?

The mayonnaise is really the key ingredient, so it would profoundly change the flavor of the dish. If it’s the taste you don’t like, I suggest lowering the amount of mayo you use and adding sour cream or Greek yogurt. The taste will be tangier though, so keep that in mind before committing to this alteration.

Can I use a different kind of mustard with this dressing?

You can use whole grain mustard — it’s delicious!

Can I make the dressing a bit thinner?

Yes, you can add a little water to thin out the dressing. I would avoid milk, as it’s generally high in carbs and couldn’t be considered keto friendly.

Can I use a different type of vinegar?

You can use other vinegar flavors that match your taste buds. I like apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or even plain old white vinegar. Every pick will add its own unique twist to your dressing and what’s more, vinegar is keto friendly.

How can I make this recipe egg-free or vegan?

You’ll need to use vegan mayonnaise or your favorite non-dairy yogurt with a dab of mustard. It will still deliver that creamy, tangy yumminess we all crave in a coleslaw dressing.

Is there any alternative to Dijon mustard?

You can stick to yellow mustard or give stone-ground mustard a shot. Remember, every mustard variant will have its own flavor twist, so adjust and taste as you go.

Can I make this sweeter?

If you have a sweet tooth but STILL want to keep this keto friendly, increase the amount of Dijon mustard or incorporate natural sweeteners like stevia or erythritol. If you don’t mind the influence these will have on the taste of your coleslaw, add cinnamon or vanilla extract.

How to Store Coleslaw Dressing

Hands down, best way to store your homemade dressing in the fridge in a glass jar with a cozy lid. Why? Let’s just say the fridge does some magic in there. It slows down the whole separation thing and keeps your dressing tasting fresh, fresh, fresh.

Don’t panic if your dressing goes into hibernation and thickens a little – a quick twirl before you dive in will do the trick. And if you need, add a few drops of vinegar or water to get your desired consistency.

This delish creation of yours can hang out in your fridge for up to two weeks, still rocking it. Pro tip for you, doll: jot down the prep date on your container – it’s super easy to forget when you whipped it up.