Easy Homemade Coleslaw

This easy homemade coleslaw recipe is so quick to make, and bursting with fresh, crisp flavor! Made with simple ingredients, it’s a versatile classic that’s perfect for any meal.

This healthy coleslaw recipe pairs well with our air fryer sweet potato wedges, roasted butternut squash soup and our air fryer purple sweet potato fries.

There’s something so satisfying about making your own fresh coleslaw…

The crisp, crunchy veggies. The tangy and creamy dressing. The perfect balance of flavors. Fresh. Flavorful.

This easy coleslaw recipe comes together in minutes and is a great way to incorporate fresh vegetables into your meal – effortlessly! 

It’s fresher and healthier than a traditional coleslaw recipe.

If you haven’t tried homemade coleslaw yet, you’re in for a treat!

Not only is this coleslaw delicious, but it's incredibly versatile! Serve it with everything from pizza and jacket potatoes to sandwiches, wraps, grain bowls, and rice dishes!

Jump to:

• Why this Recipe Works
• What is Coleslaw?
• Notes on Recipe Ingredients
• Variations and Substitutions
• Equipment
• Preparation
• How to Make Fresh Homemade Coleslaw
• Tips for making the BEST coleslaw
• How to serve
• Recipe FAQs
• Suggested Appetizers
• Easy Homemade Coleslaw

Why this Recipe Works

• Simple and quick: this easy recipe comes together in minutes and is made with basic ingredients.
• Wholesome and customizable: this recipe is satisfying and can be adjusted according to your preference.
• Versatile: the perfect side dish or snack, for a meal or with spring or summer potlucks.

What is Coleslaw?

• Coleslaw also referred to as “slaw” is a cabbage-based salad side dish. This dish consists of shredded cabbage with/without vegetables including carrots tossed with a salad dressing. 
• Coleslaw was initially created in the Netherlands. The word “coleslaw” comes from the Dutch word “koolsla” which means cabbage salad in English. 

Notes on Recipe Ingredients

• Sweetheart cabbage: this recipe uses sweetheart cabbage for its sweeter and tender taste. This is a type of green cabbage and forms the base of this coleslaw. It is added raw and provides crunch and a mild flavor in this dish. Cabbage is rich in nutrients including fibre, vitamins (vitamin K) and antioxidants (vitamin C).  
• Carrots: for flavor, color and crunch. You can shred/finely chop the carrots using a knife or shredder/grater.
• Onions: onions add flavor and another layer of texture to this dish.
• Celery: added for crunch and flavour
• Dressings: including mayonnaise, salad cream or Greek yogurt and wasabi for their unique blend of flavor (to make a creamy coleslaw dressing).
• Seasoning: black pepper optional but recommended. For spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Variations and Substitutions

This coleslaw can be customised with add-ins according to your preference including:

• Fruit: add chopped apples for a hint of sweetness and crunch. Or add raisins or cranberries for sweetness and contrasting chewy textures.
• Nuts or seeds (including walnuts, pecans or almonds): for crunch and contrasting savory flavor.
• Vegetables: you can add bell peppers or chopped spinach for more flavor and texture. You can also substitute with red cabbage or purple cabbage (note this will adjust the flavor of the coleslaw). For broccoli slaw, add substitute half the cabbage for thin shreds of broccoli.
• Shortcuts: you can replace fresh vegetables with a store-bought coleslaw mix if preferred.
• Other add-ins: seasoning and add-ins including green onions or red onions. As well as adjusting the homemade coleslaw dressing with sour cream or celery salt. Lemon juice or lime juice (or apple cider vinegar) can be added for tanginess and maple syrup for sweetness.

Equipment

All you need is a large bowl and spatula/wooden spoon to mix the ingredients together. You also need a cutting/chopping board and knife to chop/shred the fresh ingredients. You can also grate carrots if preferred using a grater.

Preparation

• Cabbage: wash and place the head of cabbage on a cutting board. Cut in half and remove the core. Place the remaining cabbage on a chopping board/cutting board. Use a sharp knife to finely shred the cabbage. 
• Carrots: Carrots can be prepared using a number of tools. Box grater: Use a box grater to grate/shred the carrots (you can grate lengthwise to give longer strands of carrots or use the stem end for shorter strands). Food processor: Alternatively, you can use a food processor with the grater dish attachment to shred the carrots, pulse until finely grated, avoid over processing. Julienne peeler or mandoline slicer: You can also use a julienne peeler or mandoline slicer to prepare the carrots.
• Celery and onion: use a sharp knife to finely chop the celery sticks and onion on a cutting/chopping board.

How to Make Fresh Homemade Coleslaw

1. Mix vegetables in a bowl. In a large bowl, add the prepared vegetables (shredded cabbage and carrots and chopped celery sticks and onion) and toss to combine using two large mixing spoons.
2. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, salad cream, black pepper and wasabi (if using) until combined into a dressing. 
3. Combine to make coleslaw. Add the dressing over the vegetables and use the mixing spoons to toss the vegetables and dressing together until all vegetables are evenly coated. 
4. Chill before serving or serve immediately and enjoy. Transfer coleslaw in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes to serve cold, or serve at room temperature and enjoy. 

Tips for making the BEST coleslaw

• Use fresh ingredients: for maximum freshness and taste, use fresh vegetables – make sure there are no blemishes or dark spots on the vegetables. 
• Mix ingredients well: Toss the shredded carrots and cabbage with the onion, celery and dressing well to ensure everything is evenly coated and for best results.
• Chill before serving: this helps to enhance the flavours, plus cools the dish for a better tasting experience 
• Adjust according to taste: you can adjust the levels of dressings according to taste based on preferred sweetness, tanginess and salt levels. This recipe allows for adjustments of the dressing. For a creamier coleslaw, ensure you have enough dressing by adding more mayonnaise, salad cream/Greek yogurt (i.e. 2 tablespoon rather than 1 tbsp).

How to serve

This homemade coleslaw can be served with jacket potato or sweet potato, salads and/or pizza. Enjoy with our air fryer naan pizza, air fryer eggplant pizza or chickpea flour pizza. For a fun feast, serve pizza and coleslaw alongside potato salad and our beetroot pomegranate salad and sourdough garlic bread slices.

This coleslaw is also a great option in sandwiches or wraps, add to grilled cheeses like our sourdough grilled cheese sandwich for extra texture and flavor.

Recipe FAQs

Suggested Appetizers

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