You only need 4 ingredients plus a little salt and pepper to make this easy and incredibly delicious coleslaw dressing recipe! It’s even on the healthy side.

This classic homemade coleslaw dressing recipe comes together in a snap and pairs with just about any slaw out there. I use it both on shredded cabbage and my favorite broccoli slaw, and it’s a winner every time.

Easy Classic Coleslaw Dressing (Vegan or Not)

Not only is coleslaw dressing super easy to make, but since you get to control the type and quality of ingredients, homemade coleslaw dressing is way healthier than any store-bought coleslaw you’ll find.

If you don’t care if it’s vegan or not, use your favorite mayo and make it your own. To make vegan coleslaw dressing, use Veganaise (a vegan mayo). Some people who are vegan still eat honey. However, if you avoid bee products, use white sugar instead of honey to keep this true vegan if desired.

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Recipe Ingredients

Mayo (or Veganaise)

We can’t have a classic coleslaw dressing recipe without mayo.

As I mentioned above, I prefer Veganaise even though I’m not completely vegan. It has a slightly sweet & tangy flavor and is a bit lighter than traditional mayo. I use it in my Egg Salad Recipe and most places that would typically call for mayo. You can use any type of mayo here. I suggest buying the healthiest high-quality mayo you can find that works for you.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Something that makes classic coleslaw so darn good is the combo of the acidic tang of the vinegar with the creaminess of the mayo and the crunch of the cabbage slaw.

I prefer apple cider vinegar combined with lemon juice here to give the slaw a bright flavor with health benefits. Apple cider vinegar is mild in flavor and healthy, too. I like the Bragg’s brand. You can find it at most grocery stores or on Thrive Market online. Distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar also work well.

Fresh Lemon Juice

Lemon juice adds another layer of acidity to the dish and brightens the flavor even more. It also adds a dose of vitamin C and extra enzymes to your salad.

The lemon juice is optional; if you don’t have a lemon, you can substitute it with an equal amount of vinegar. (But if you can, use the lemon! Fresh lemon juice is always best. It makes the slaw great.)

Honey or Sugar

A classic coleslaw dressing recipe has some sweetness. I prefer to use honey as it’s a natural sweetener. If you prefer not to use honey, you can use an equal amount of plain white sugar instead or your sweetener of choice.

Salt & Pepper

Salt amplifies the flavors in the dressing and slaw even more, and pepper adds a delightful traditional flavor. I prefer Real Salt sea salt and a few spins of freshly ground black pepper from a pepper grinder.

Using Your Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Recipe

Classic coleslaw mix is typically shredded cabbage with a handful of shredded carrots mixed in, though slaw refers to any type of shredded veggies.

You can shred the veggies yourself, or buy a bag of coleslaw or broccoli slaw mix at most grocery stores near the packaged lettuce. Avoid the premixed dressings the package comes with, as they’re full of preservatives and generally don’t taste that great. I buy both shredded cabbage and broccoli slaw at my local grocery store and mix them with this homemade version of coleslaw dressing.

Like this recipe? Check out my Thai Peanut Slaw and over 1,000 healthy recipes in the recipe index.

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Summer Cookout Coleslaw Serving Suggestion:

• Slow Cooker or Grilled Chicken
• Organic Corn
• Herby Potato Salad (Recipe Here)
• Mix Dressing with Shredded Cabbage or Broccoli Slaw