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Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

Extra creamy, homemade coleslaw dressing is the key ingredient in making the most popular summer side dish on your table. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and the perfect amount of tang to make the best coleslaw recipe!

pouring dressing on salad

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

You know how every restaurant has a different version of coleslaw? It is never quite the same and some places nail it perfectly and a lot more fail miserably.

My recipe for the best creamy coleslaw dressing will knock your socks off and you’ll be licking the serving bowl.

Store bought coleslaw dressing is what most restaurants will use, and a lot of people think making it at home is too complicated.

I’m gonna show you exactly how to make a classic coleslaw recipe, but then also how to put your own spin on it.

You can use it for more than just coleslaw too!

ingredients for dressing

Why This Creamy Coleslaw Dressing is Awesome

  • You can use it for more than just coleslaw!
  • Made with less than 10 basic ingredients.
  • This easy recipe only takes 5 minutes to make.
  • Perfectly tangy and creamy flavor!

Ingredients Needed

  • mayonnaise
  • Dijon mustard
  • apple cider vinegar
  • lemon juice
  • sugar
  • spices

Mayo – I like to use Duke’s brand, it’s my fave, but use your favorite. You can also substitute sour cream or yogurt if you prefer.

Mustard – I like to use Dijon for the extra flavor but feel free to use spicy brown or plain yellow.

Vinegar – If you don’t have cider vinegar feel free to use white vinegar in its place.

Spices – These are pretty basic with onion powder, celery seed, and salt and black pepper. Use your favorites! Sometimes I switch it up with dry mustard powder, whole mustard seed or even a dab of barbecue sauce or maple syrup for unique flavor.

Easy Coleslaw Recipe

While the stellar dressing is really the important part, you need something to put it on. Buying a bag of coleslaw mix at the store is perfectly acceptable, but you can also make your own.

I like using a food processor or mandoline slicer to get even shreds and matchstick shapes, but if you have a steady hand, feel free to chop it up!

  • Traditional Slaw- This is a blend of red cabbage and green cabbage.
  • Broccoli Slaw- Use chopped or matchstick pieces of broccoli. This can be just broccoli or mix it with cauliflower or a few cups of shredded cabbage for more volume.

Other variations include green onions and celery

Looking for more leftover worthy dishes? Follow LTB on Pinterest and pin to a board!

How to make Coleslaw Dressing from scratch

First: In a medium bowl or mason jar with a lid, add the mayo, mustard, and spices. Stir or shake to mix.

Second: Add the vinegar and lemon juice. Stir or shake.

Third: Season with salt and pepper and chill until ready to use. For the best flavor, let the natural flavors marry a while.

Fourth: Toss in a large bowl with slaw or broccoli salad of your choice.

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

dressing and shredded cabbage

How long does it last?

Coleslaw Dressing will last about a week in your refrigerator in an airtight container. I like to keep it in a glass jar with a tight lid.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze this family favorite in a freezer safe container, but make sure to leave room for expansion and to also mix it well when it thaws as it will might separate.

How to use it

You can use coleslaw dressing as a salad dressing, coleslaw, potato salad, top a baked potato with a drizzle, on pork sandwiches or even dip vegetables in it.

Use it like a regular sauce or dressing. It can also be a fantastic chicken marinade.

What to serve with coleslaw

I like to put coleslaw on my hot dogs and sandwiches, which is popular in some northern cities. Try it with seafood, it gives a great freshness to a fried fish dinner.

In the south they will have coleslaw with just about anything, it is almost always brought out as a side with any main dish.

I love mine with a hot bowl of chili and then finished with a tart slice of Key Lime Pie.

jar of coleslaw dressing

Tips for No Leftovers

  • Make it a day or two ahead of time and let the flavors combine before using it.
  • Keep it stored in the fridge in an air tight container.
  • This is enough dressing to cover 1 pound of coleslaw mix. Feel free to double or triple the recipe.
  • Be sure to give it a good shake before using.
  • Use this not only on crunchy coleslaw but also a cucumber tomato salad or a chopped salad!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

dressing with text "coleslaw dressing"

Make sure to tell your friends and family that this is your homemade cole slaw dressing, and be ready for them to ask for the recipe. Then come back here and let me know your thoughts in the comments, I would love to hear what you had your coleslaw with!

jar of dressing

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

Yield: 3/4 cup
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Extra creamy, homemade coleslaw dressing is the key ingredient in making the most popular summer side dish on your table.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon dijon or spicy mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

    1. In a medium bowl or wide mouth jar with a lid, add mayo, mustard, and seasonings. Stir to combine or put on the lid and shake.
    2. Add vinegar and lemon juice. Shake or stir to combined completely.
    3. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
    4. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Notes

*If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave me a comment and rate it 5 stars. Thank you!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 270Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 488mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.

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Kimber

Monday 8th of May 2023

I like it a lot! The lemon and celery seed were a surprisingly wonderful switch from my old (boring) recipe.

We found the dijon a bit overpowering...I will reduce it by half next time, but do appreciate it's added zing!

Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Kim

Saturday 30th of April 2022

This was so delicious we will make it over and over! Unfortunately, it won't print from this site :-(

Jennifer

Monday 2nd of May 2022

I'm so glad you like it! I'm sorry you had problems printing the recipe. Try this direct link to a printable page. https://leftoversthenbreakfast.com/wp-json/mv-create/v1/creations/91/print

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