5-Minute Easy Coleslaw Recipe
What’s the perfect side dish for family BBQs, picnics and holiday get-togethers? This 5-Minute Easy Coleslaw recipe. A lot of slaw, in my opinion, is full of too much mayonnaise, too much sweetness or too much vinegar. This fast coleslaw recipe is my favorite because it hits the perfect balance.
What You Will Love About This Simple Homemade Coleslaw
- Fast and easy! This recipe takes only 5 minutes, thanks to a bag of pre-shredded cabbage or slaw mix.
- The perfect picnic, BBQ or party side dish. You will love this homemade coleslaw recipe and be the potluck hero with any slaw fan!
- A delicious sandwich topping. This is the best coleslaw for a pulled pork coleslaw sandwich, spicy pulled pork sliders, BBQ beef sliders or a fish sandwich!
- It’s better than any store-bought coleslaw!
Of course, this homemade coleslaw is also delicious all by itself … especially after the whole mixture has had time to sit together for a while in the refrigerator.
Key Ingredients for this Quick Coleslaw Recipe
All you need to make your own homemade coleslaw is the following simple, key ingredients. Mix it all together and … voila!
- Bagged Coleslaw. You’ll need a 16-ounce bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots (or two 8-ounce bags). If you can find it, use a mix that includes red cabbage. It has plenty of antioxidants, and it makes creamy coleslaw pretty!
- Mayo
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar, salt and pepper
How to Make This Slaw
Step 1: Open the coleslaw mix of shredded purple cabbage, green cabbage and carrots and place it in a large bowl.
Step 2: Add all the remaining ingredients and then mix them with a large spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Enjoy as a side dish or top your favorite sandwich with this crunchy, delicious recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can only find bagged green shredded cabbage with carrots, but no red or purple cabbage?
That’s ok! This recipe works and tastes just fine without the red or purple cabbage.
Can I mix the creamy dressing separately, then add it to the cabbage?
Sure, although this easy recipe works and tastes delicious by simply throwing it all together in one bowl and mixing it well.
Can I make coleslaw ahead of time and store it in the fridge?
Absolutely! I like it even better when it’s made a few hours or a day ahead of time and allowed to get colde in the refrigerator. Althought you can certainly eat it right away too!
What if the coleslaw gets watery or has liquid at the bottom of the bowl after sitting for a while? Has it gone bad?
That’s perfectly normal. The cabbage naturally releases water as it comes in contact with the coleslaw dressing. You can simply drain some of the liquid, then give it a good stir. Of course, if it’s old, smells sour or has discolored, it’s time to throw it out!
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand? What can I use instead?
You can use regular vinegar as a substitute. White vinegar is more neutral than apple cider vinegar, so it will impact the flavor subtly, but if it’s what you have and/or are used to, it will work just fine.
What to Serve with Coleslaw
Looking for more picnic, potluck or BBQ recipes? Check out some of these:
- Spicy Pulled Pork Sliders – Inspired by the best sandwich I ever tasted at a BBQ joint, it’s a family favorite recipe and pairs well with this homemade coleslaw recipe.
- Pulled Pork Sandwich – Top your homemade, slow-cooked pork sandwich with tangy, creamy coleslaw!
- Brown Sugar Pineapple Porkchops – A favorite one-pan meal that only takes about 20 minutes to make.
- Homemade Dairy-Free Cornbread – This is one of the most popular recipes on my blog. This isn’t your average dry cornbread, and it’s made without milk! One blog reader commented: “Used your recipe for dinner tonight and my opinionated 5-year-old told me I had just made the best cornbread on the planet…Thank you for such a great recipe!”
- Spicy Cucumber Tomato and Water Chestnut Salad – A perfect summer salad. One reader who made the recipe said: “Such a simple and yet a perfectly balanced salad with the right amount of crunch and spice.”
Easy 5-Minute Coleslaw
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz bag pre-shredded cabbage and carrots
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use a sugar-free mayo)
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- a little extra salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Open the coleslaw mix of shredded purple cabbage, green cabbage and carrots and place it in a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- Enjoy! You can serve the coleslaw immediately, but it tastes best if you chill it in the refrigerator before eating
I have made a lot of different recipes for slaw, but I always go back to this one, my man and whole family love it this way. Thanks for sharing.
Made this, this morning, it was great. Reduced all ingredients by 4 (only needed enough for 1 person) but added 1oz Cabbage making it 4 oz cabbage + 1 oz large grated carrot, turned out excellent for topping my pastrami sandwich
Thank you for sharing! So happy to hear this. And now I’m craving a pastrami sandwich with coleslaw – LOL! 🙂
Thank you for the feedback. You made my day! Glad you and your family enjoy this simple coleslaw recipe! It’s a family favorite here too.
Great recipe! Short and to the point. I did add celery seed, though. It was missing that seasoning.
I love this recipe. Simple, easy, delicious and my family scarfs it down!
Can you use normal white vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar?
Yes, you can use regular vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar. It may impact the taste a little bit, since white vinegar is more neutral, but if it’s what you have and/or are used to, I think it will be just fine.