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You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes

Classic Creamy Coleslaw

By Susie Weinrich ยท Date Jun 17, 2025ยท Leave a Comment ยท May contain affiliate links.

Pinterest image of super simple creamy coleslaw in a large bowl sitting on a cutting board.
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If you need a Classic Creamy Coleslaw recipe then this is the one for you! It is made with hand chopped green cabbage, carrots, and red onion dressed in a homemade creamy coleslaw dressing. This is an easy coleslaw recipe that will be a wonderful side dish at any dinner, especially a bbq or cookout!

Serving bowl of creamy coleslaw.

This Coleslaw pairs perfectly with these Old Fashioned Baked Beans and Classic Potato Salad Recipe!

It also makes a killer topping for Pulled Pork and BBQ Beef sandwiches!

Table of Contents hide
1 Ingredient Details
2 How To Make Homemade Coleslaw
3 Recipe Tips To Remember
4 Menu for Serving
5 More Side dishes
6 30+ BBQ Side Dishes
7 Did you make this recipe?
8 Classic Creamy Coleslaw Recipe

Ingredient Details

Green Cabbage โ€“ cutting your own cabbage as opposed to buying slaw mix creates a crispier and fresher coleslaw. It also tends to be less watery and holds itโ€™s crisp after a day in the fridge.

Carrot โ€“ I like buying carrot chips and then rough chopping them for this recipe. You can also buy pre-shredded carrots and then give them a rough chop.

Red Onion โ€“ A little red onion goes a long way in your coleslaw. You just need ยผ cup. If your red onion is extra strong cut a chunk off the onion and then rinse it under cool water, lightly separating the layers. This rinses away to enzyme that will have the red onion taking over your dish.

Ingredients shown are used to prepare creamy coleslaw.

Mayonnaise โ€“ This is the base ingredient for your homemade coleslaw dressing. Use a good mayo! We like any of these brands:

  • Hellmannโ€™s
  • Dukes
  • Burmanโ€™s โ€“ Aldi Store Brand
  • Kensington
  • Kewpie (although I have not tried this one, people really like it)

Sour Cream โ€“ Will mellow the flavor of the mayonnaise without diluting the dressing.

Celery Salt โ€“ Classic ingredient in coleslaw dressing. Make sure you are using celery salt and not celery seed.

White Vinegar and Lemon Juice โ€“ Adds just the right amount of โ€œtangโ€ and freshness to your coleslaw dressing.

Sugar โ€“ Balances the tang of the vinegar, mayo and sour cream.

Garlic Powder โ€“ Just a dash will do โ€˜ya.

How To Make Homemade Coleslaw

This is a quick overview of how to make the Homemade Coleslaw recipe. For more detailed steps and ingredients, pop down to the printable recipe card.

Chopped and diced ingredients added to a mixing bowl before combining.

Step 1

Cut all the veggies and add to a large mixing bowl.

Susie pouring the sauce over the coleslaw ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Step 2

Make the dressing and pour over the veggies.

Susie stirring the coleslaw sauce into the fresh chopped ingredients.

Step 3

Stir everything to combine. Refrigerate for 2 hours-24 hours.

Bowl of creamy coleslaw with a fork resting in the mixture.

Step 4

Serve chilled!

Recipe Tips To Remember

  • Cut your own cabbage instead of buying pre-shredded slaw mix.
  • Rough chop the cabbage, red onion, and carrots for a classic coleslaw texture.
  • After you cut your onion open, if it is super strong give it a little rinse under cool water before chopping.
  • Let the coleslaw sit in the fridge for 2 hours up to 24 hours to cool and meld before serving.
  • Use this coleslaw as a side dish but ALSO serve it piled on top of BBQ sandwiches!

Menu for Serving

If you need a menu to pair with this Creamy Coleslaw here is the perfect menu of recipes from Momโ€™s Dinner:

  • Grilled Burgers or BBQ Pork Tenderloin
  • Old Fashioned Baked Beans
  • Potato Salad
  • Buttermilk Cornbread
  • Fresh Lemonade
  • Blueberry Crumble

More Side dishes

  • bbq marinated and grilled chicken skewers on a cutting board
    BBQ Chicken Skewers
  • Steak stir fry served over a bed of white rice with chopsticks resting on the edge.
    Momโ€™s Weeknight Pepper Steak
  • Stack of golden brown pancakes with a pat of butter melting on top with fresh blueberries garnished over the top and a bite of pancakes cut out.
    Simple Homemade Pancake Mix
man tending the grill with a pair of tongs

30+ BBQ Side Dishes

If you are in need of some additional side dish ideas to pair with this coleslaw, this is the perfect resource:

Get the recipes โ†’

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipeโ†’
Bowl of creamy coleslaw with a fork resting in the mixture.

Classic Creamy Coleslaw Recipe

Classic Creamy Coleslaw made with shredded green cabbage, carrots, and red onion dressed in a creamy homemade coleslaw dressing. This is an easy coleslaw recipe that will be a wonderful side dish at any dinner, especially a BBQ or cookout!
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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Refrigerate Time: 2 hours hours
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

Slaw Mix

  • 7 Cups green cabbage - thinly sliced and then roughly chopped ; equals about 1 small head of cabbage
  • ยฝ cup carrot - finely chopped
  • ยผ cup red onion - finely diced

Coleslaw Dressing

  • ยฝ cup mayonnaise
  • ยผ cup sour cream
  • 1 ยฝ Tbsp. white vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice - fresh squeezed
  • ยพ tsp. celery salt
  • 3 Tbsp. sugar
  • ยผ tsp. kosher salt
  • ยผ tsp. black pepper
  • โ…› teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl add the chopped cabbage, chopped carrot and diced red onion.
    7 Cups green cabbage, ยฝ cup carrot, ยผ cup red onion
    Chopped and diced ingredients added to a mixing bowl before combining.
  • In a small mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup whisk together the dressing ingredients until combined and creamy.
    ยฝ cup mayonnaise, ยผ cup sour cream, 1 ยฝ Tbsp. white vinegar, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, ยพ tsp. celery salt, 3 Tbsp. sugar, ยผ tsp. kosher salt, ยผ tsp. black pepper, โ…› teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
    Susie pouring the sauce over the coleslaw ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • Put the coleslaw in a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours until ready to serve.
    Susie stirring the coleslaw sauce into the fresh chopped ingredients.
  • When ready to serve, toss the mixture together again.
  • This keeps well for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

  • Cut your own cabbage instead of buying pre-shredded slaw mix.
  • Rough chop the cabbage, red onion, and carrots for a classic coleslaw texture.
  • After you cut your onion open, if it is super strong give it a little rinse under cool water before chopping.
  • Let the coleslaw sit in the fridge for 2 hours up to 24 hours to cool and meld before serving.
  • Use this coleslaw as a side dish but ALSO serve it piled on top of BBQ sandwiches!
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1serving | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1922IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

YOU will feel like a huge success at dinner time with any of the simple recipes on Mom's Dinner! Read More

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