A large bowl filled with creamy classic coleslaw, featuring green onions, shredded cabbage, and carrots in a thick dressing.

This creamy classic coleslaw recipe mixes crisp cabbage, carrots, and a tangy homemade dressing in just minutes. Serve it cold for potlucks, BBQs, or quick dinners year-round.

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Table of Contents

Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make Classic Coleslaw
How To Serve this Recipe for Coleslaw
Why You'll Love This Traditional Coleslaw Recipe
Recipe FAQ
Serving FAQ
Storage FAQ
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Table of Contents

Make this classic coleslaw recipe for your next barbecue, picnic, or potluck. It’s creamy, crunchy, and loaded with fresh cabbage. The tangy dressing brings everything together in the best way. You’ll love how fast and easy this comes together using simple ingredients.

This recipe is super easy to make—just follow the guide below. You’ll find step-by-step photos and clear directions to help you out. We’ve also added pro tips, tricks, and answers to the most frequently asked coleslaw questions.

A close-up shot of creamy coleslaw in a glass bowl, showing vibrant shredded carrots, red cabbage, and green herbs.

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Coleslaw shows up at nearly every big get-together for good reason. Its crunchy texture and creamy, tangy flavor pair perfectly with savory mains.

This classic side dish comes together fast and easy, even if it’s your first time. Make it early so the flavors mix just right.

Ingredients

What you'll need to make this homemade coleslaw recipe:

1½ cups of mayonnaise
¼ cup of milk
3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of white sugar
1 tablespoon of chopped parsley
2 chopped green onions
1 (10-ounce) bag of coleslaw mix
1 cup of shredded carrots

Substitutions and Additions

Sour cream or buttermilk: Swap in for half the mayo to cut the richness and add a tangy bite.
Lemon juice: Use it instead of vinegar for a softer, citrusy flavor.
Honey and ginger: Skip the sugar and use honey with a touch of ginger. Add Dijon mustard or horseradish cream for more kick.
Mix-ins: Toss in celery seed or sunflower seeds for extra crunch. Diced bell peppers or celery make it even better.

How to Make Classic Coleslaw

Follow along with our step-by-step pictures, easy instructions, and helpful tips and tricks to make this creamy coleslaw recipe. You’ll learn everything fast, so let’s get started and mix up this crunchy, crowd-pleasing side dish!

FIRST STEP: In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, sugar, parsley, and green onions together.

Pro Tip

If you love this salad and plan to make it frequently, double or even triple the dressing and store the extras in a mason jar in the fridge for next time.

A bowl of mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, sugar, chopped parsley, and green onions ready to be whisked into a creamy dressing.

SECOND STEP: In a large bowl, toss together the coleslaw mixture and carrots.

Pro Tip

To shred the carrots, you can either use a box grater or a food processor to make the process quick and easy.

Coleslaw mix and shredded carrots are placed in a glass bowl with wooden spoons, ready to be tossed together.

THIRD STEP: Pour the creamy dressing over the cabbage and carrot mixture. Toss it well so the veggies are fully covered.

A split image showing before and after mixing: coleslaw mix with green onion dressing being poured on one side, and fully mixed creamy coleslaw on the other.

FOURTH STEP: Pop the coleslaw into the fridge to chill for about an hour because the slaw tastes much better when the cabbage has time to marinate in the dressing. Just don’t leave it in there too long if you want to retain the fresh crunch.

How To Serve this Recipe for Coleslaw

You can serve this easy coleslaw recipe with tons of meals all year long. It’s quick, crowd-pleasing, and even picky kids love it. Whether you’re hosting a party or grilling on the patio, this classic side fits right in.

Summer cookouts and BBQs: This coleslaw brings the crunch to juicy burgers and chili cheese dogs. It also tastes amazing next to baked beans or corn casserole.
Holiday dinners and potlucks: It’s easy to prep ahead and always disappears fast at big family meals. Try it with sloppy joes or chicken Parmesan sliders. Serve it next to cheesy bacon loaded baked potato rounds for a hearty, crowd-friendly spread.
Quick weekday meals: This dish makes dinner faster when you pair it with finger foods like chicken tenders or ribs. Add a scoop next to pumpkin mac and cheese or air fryer meatloaf. Kids love the creamy dressing and colorful crunch!

A large clear bowl filled with colorful coleslaw, with mayonnaise dressing coating shredded cabbage, carrots, and herbs.

Why You'll Love This Traditional Coleslaw Recipe

This coleslaw salad is a reader favorite for a reason. It’s fast, fresh, and brings a creamy crunch to every table. This recipe skips the fuss and sticks to what works—making it a go-to for busy families and party planners alike.

Easy to Make: You can whip this up in minutes with just a bowl, a whisk, and a handful of simple ingredients.
Great for Any Occasion: Backyard BBQs, weeknight dinners, or big holiday spreads—this side dish fits right in every time.
Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters grab a spoonful thanks to the creamy dressing and sweet crunch of cabbage and carrots.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it early, chill it, and let the dressing soak in while you handle the rest.
No Fancy Ingredients: Everything you need is already in your fridge or pantry—no extra trips to the store.
Tried and Tested: Thousands of readers keep coming back to this recipe because it just works every single time.

Coleslaw is simple, quick, and always hits the spot—and that’s why we keep making it again and again.

A bright, detailed image of coleslaw in a bowl, highlighting the fresh mix of green cabbage, red cabbage, and orange carrots.

Recipe FAQ

Do I need to use a bagged coleslaw mix for this recipe?
No, you don’t need to use a bagged mix. You can shred green or red cabbage with a knife or food processor.

Can I make this classic slaw without a food processor?
Yes, you can make this coleslaw without a food processor. Use a sharp knife or box grater instead for easy prep.

What kind of vinegar works best in this coleslaw recipe?
Apple cider vinegar works best in this coleslaw recipe. It adds a nice tang and balances the creamy dressing.

How long should I chill coleslaw before serving it?
You should chill coleslaw for at least one hour. This gives the dressing time to soak into the cabbage and carrots.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots in this recipe?
Yes, you can use pre-shredded carrots in this coleslaw recipe. They save time and work well with the bagged mix.

Should I mix the dressing and cabbage right away?
Yes, mix the dressing and cabbage right away, so the coleslaw has time to marinate before serving for better flavor.

How much dressing should I use in homemade slaw?
Use just enough dressing to coat everything evenly. You want it creamy, but not soupy or dripping with excess liquid.

Can I make extra coleslaw dressing and store it?
Yes, you can double or triple the dressing and store it in the fridge. Keep it in a mason jar with a lid.

What should I use to mix the coleslaw dressing?
Use a whisk to mix the mayo, milk, vinegar, sugar, parsley, and green onions until everything looks smooth and creamy.

Can kids help make this classic recipe?
Yes, kids can help make this classic coleslaw. They can whisk the dressing or toss the cabbage in a big bowl.

A close, angled view of creamy coleslaw, showing the texture of the dressing and the variety of crunchy vegetables.

Serving FAQ

Should I serve classic coleslaw chilled or at room temperature?
Always serve coleslaw chilled. The cold dressing keeps it crisp and refreshing, especially during warm weather or outdoor meals.

Can I serve this coleslaw directly after making it?
No, wait at least an hour before serving. The dressing needs time to soak in and flavor the cabbage and carrots.

How should I serve classic coleslaw for a picnic or potluck?
Pack it in a sealed container and keep it cold with ice packs until ready to serve for the best texture.

Do I need to garnish classic coleslaw before serving?
You don’t need to garnish it, but a sprinkle of parsley or green onions on top adds a fresh, colorful touch.

How much coleslaw should I serve per person?
Plan on about ½ cup of coleslaw per person. You can always make more if you're serving a larger group.

A zoomed-in view of coleslaw piled high in a bowl, featuring crisp cabbage, carrots, and chopped green herbs in dressing.

Storage FAQ

Follow the directions, tips, and tricks below to keep your homemade coleslaw fresh, crisp, and ready to serve anytime. We’ll show you exactly how to store your homemade coleslaw so it tastes just as good later.

Can I make classic coleslaw ahead of time?
Yes, prep the cabbage and carrots early, but wait to add the dressing until one hour before serving for best crunch.

What’s the best way to store leftover coleslaw?
Store leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep it for up to two days for the best taste.

Can I freeze homemade coleslaw with mayonnaise?
No, don’t freeze this recipe. The mayonnaise dressing separates after freezing and ruins the creamy texture and flavor.

Should I store the cabbage and dressing together or separate?
Store the veggies and dressing separately until serving. This keeps the cabbage crisp and stops it from getting soggy.

How long can dressed coleslaw sit out at room temperature?
Don’t let it sit out for more than two hours. After that, the dressing may spoil, especially on hot days.

Can I store extra coleslaw dressing for later use?
Yes, store extra dressing in a sealed mason jar in the fridge. Use it within a few days for the best results.