This Easy Classic Coleslaw recipe is made with just 4 ingredients: cabbage, carrot, red onion, and mayonnaise. It’s a quick and delicious addition to a BBQ, cold table, or sandwiches, etc!
Back Story to Easy Classic Coleslaw
This coleslaw recipe is my mum’s, so I’ve been enjoying it since childhood.
It’s the best homemade coleslaw I’ve ever tasted, and my family loves it too.
Shop-bought coleslaws (even luxury ones) pale by comparison! Plus, homemade coleslaw works out far cheaper!
I tend to make up a batch with about half a small white cabbage, a carrot, and a medium red onion at a time. This serves the 4 of us and leaves some leftovers.
What Makes This Coleslaw Special
The secret to the delicious flavour of this coleslaw lies in the grated red onion, which produces its own almost vinegary juice.
Many coleslaw recipes include white vinegar, which can be a bit harsh, and then they compensate by adding sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
My mum’s coleslaw relies on the natural sweetness from the grated carrot and red onion, so it doesn’t need added sugar.
Some coleslaw recipes also call for lemon juice and Dijon mustard, but these are already in mayonnaise, so they aren’t necessary.
How to Make Traditional Coleslaw
Equipment
- Large Sharp Knife -for cutting and shredding cabbage.
- Box Grater – for grating the carrot and onion.
- Chopping Board – avoid plastic, which breaks down with each cut. Use wood or bamboo.
- Large bowl – glass or stainless steel.
- Dessert Spoon – for the mayonnaise.
- Large Spoon – for stirring the ingredients together.
- Kitchen Scissors – for snipping chives or green spring onion tips (if using).
Ingredients
This easy coleslaw recipe is made with just 4 basic ingredients.
- White or pale green cabbage: as fresh as possible, as you want crunchy cabbage, not limp cabbage. For a change, you could add some red cabbage!
- Carrot: I use orange carrots, but you could use purple or yellow carrots.
- Red Onion: due to its sweetness, not brown onion, which is meant for cooking.
- Mayonnaise: homemade is best (watch this space), or there are some great avocado mayonnaises on the market, but they’re quite pricey.
- Optional Garnish: I usually use snipped chives for a splash of colour and extra flavour. You can also use the snipped green tips of spring onions (aka green onions or scallions) as per the photos.
Method
There are just a few simple steps to make the best coleslaw!
- Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrot, and red onion to a bowl and mix with clean hands to evenly distribute the ingredients..
- Mix in the mayonnaise a dessert spoonful at a time, until the cabbage mixture is evenly coated and the desired consistency is achieved. You decide how creamy you want it.
- Spoon the coleslaw into a serving bowl and garnish with snipped chives or spring onion tips if using..
Serving Suggestions
Coleslaw is the perfect side dish and can be served with:
- BBQ chicken, brisket, sausages, hot dogs, and burgers, etc.
- Ham, cheese, beef, turkey, or pulled pork sandwiches, rolls, bagels, wraps, etc. It would also be a great addition to my Ploughman’s Open Sandwich!
- Vegetarian dishes, like a Nut Roast.
- Cold buffets or summer potlucks, where it pairs well with a mixed green salad, potato salad, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftover coleslaw is best eaten within 2 to 3 days.
Keep any leftover coleslaw in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container or place it in a bowl and top with a plate or a stretchy silicone bowl cover.
Yes, this is quite normal. Just stir the coleslaw to combine the onion juice and mayonnaise that have separated.
Conclusion
For a long time, I thought that everyone made coleslaw like my mum did, but it turns out they don’t.
So if you’ve always made a coleslaw dressing, then the good news is that you don’t need to.
My mum’s homemade coleslaw recipe is a winner for its simplicity and great flavour! Plus, you can make it as creamy or non-creamy as you like!
Make some today and see why my family members demand it at every BBQ or cold table we have.
Pin for later!
Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.
Coleslaw
Equipment
- 1 Large sharp knife
- 1 Box grater
- 1 Wooden chopping board
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Dessert spoon
- 1 large spoon
- 1 Kitchen Scissors
Ingredients
- 4 parts white cabbage or pale green cabbage (waxy type) outer leaves removed, chopped & finely sliced
- 1 part carrot grated
- ½ part red onion grated and juices retained
- mayonnaise enough to coat
Optional Garnish
- 1 – 2 teaspoons chives (or green tips of spring onions/scalions) snipped
Instructions
- Mix the prepared cabbage, carrot, onion and juices together thoroughly with clean hands .
- Stir in the mayonnaise a spoonful at a time until the cabbage mixture is coated. You can decide how creamy you want it or not.
- Garnish and serve the coleslaw immediately. Alternatively, cover and store in the fridge until required.
Notes
Originally published 13 January 2013.
Lisa Williams
love this idea I am a big coleslaw fan so will def be trying to make my own – thanks
Camilla
Thanks Lisa, been making this for so many years, beats any shop bought stuff:-
martinaevansdesigns
It’s true, homemade coleslaw is the best! Tastes so much better than the ones in the shop. Thanks for reminding me!
Marion Weir
Easy to make, cheaper and tastier than supermarket varieties 😀
Camilla
Exactly Marion, I never buy shop bought coleslaw as it just tastes horrible by comparison!
Paul Wilson
Can’t beat a good Cole Slaw in the summer.
tiggerific1973
I have never made my own before! Maybe its about time I did 🙂
Camilla
Oh you must, it’s soo good:-)
Heather Haigh
I love coleslaw and I find it much easier to find dairy free mayo and make it than to find dairy free coleslaw.
Kirsty Fox
I love coleslaw but have never attempted to make it myself
Camilla
Oh Kirsty, you have to make your own it’s so good and far better than anything you can buy:-)
Kaci Soderstrom
Never really thought about making my own coleslaw before. I wonder if it works out cheaper to make your own! Great recipe though.
Camilla
Oh far, far cheaper:-)
Jo Bateman
I have just found your web site while looking for a demonstration of a Tefal Actifry. Must say your demo of frying chips is the nearest I have got. It has now given me the confidence to have a go. Sadly I have been left behind by technology as I am well over seventy years of age so anything that will give me a bit of an edge is helpful. I am now looking at the rest of your site to see what else I can pick up. Just looking at coleslaw which I really enjoy. Keep up the good work!
Camilla
Aah, thank you so much for your lovely feedback:-) I have lots of yummy recipes and I try to make them all as simple as possible so I’m sure you’ll find some useful recipes:-)
Ursula Hunt
Very Tasty
Camilla
It really is and so much better than shop bought:-)
Paul Wilson
Love a nice bit of cole slaw on my sandwiches.
Heather Haigh
I like to make mine with red cabbage, which makes a pretty pink coleslaw.
Camilla
Good idea:-)
William Gould
ASDA’s creamy is the best shop bought one I’ve had, but still not as nice as your own!
Ursula Hunt
Homemade coleslaw is always better than bought, so much tastier
Camilla
Definitely:-)
bev
Looks very nice and appealing.
HELEN
I always make homemade coleslaw too – it’s more of a salad than a condiment when it’s homemade – the bought stuff is really just a lumpy mayo!
I like to add a touch of coriander in mine & some greek yoghurt too – and a few chilli flakes, although the kids moan about that!
glenn hutton
I adore coleslaw and thought about making it one day, so this is ideal for me. I will let you know what I think of it…
Camilla
It’s so much better and cheaper than the shop bought stuff:-)
Carolyn Clapham
That’s exactly how I make mine, too 🙂
Healthy, tasty, easy and goes with so many things.
My mum adds lemon juice to hers, which is also nice, but I prefer it without, like your version.
Camilla
Have been making a lot of this lately, think daughter could live off it LOL:-)
lindsey stuart
Not only does this look lovely!!! but it also sounds Healthy 😉 Thankyou for sharing! 😀
Camilla
Thanks! I’ve just bought a white cabbage to make some more:-)
Maya Russell
I never thought white cabbage was as good for you as green, but it is, so I’ll be eating more coleslaw this year.
Camilla
Ooh yes packed with vitamin C:-)
Lisa Williams
delicious what more can I say I love coleslaw and would love to make more of my own 🙂
Tracy Nixon
Thanks – might try making my own for a change!
Camilla
Oh do, it’s so much nicer:-)
Heather Haigh
This is lovely, much nicer than bought coleslaw and much cheaper.
Maya Russell
I can eat coleslaw as a main meal. Love it.
tinkertink2010
I love coleslaw – its so easy to do and tastes so much better than shop bought!
Natasha Corder
I have just tried your coleslaw recipe and it is absolutely fab! It was so easy and tasty, I think it’s going to be my new favourite thing! Thank you 🙂
Camilla
Aah, thank you so much. I wasn’t sure whether to post this at the time so I’m glad I did now:-)
Jacqueline @How to be a Gourmand
I think the last time I made coleslaw was in a Home Economics lesson in first year at Secondary school. I do enjoy the taste but it is something I rarely buy or make as hubby is not a great lover of the stuff. Nice info about the quantity of Vit. C in cabbage….who knew? Your wraps look delicious!
Camilla
These hubbies, I can’t make anything with mixed fruit or berries! In fact the whole family has different tastes which can sometimes be very frustrating. But the good thing with coleslaw is that you can easily just make small amount up for yourself and maybe Cooper would like it too:-) Thank for stopping by Jacs. x
Janice
I love homemade coleslaw, probably don’t make it nearly enough.
Camilla
Yes, it’s so easy especially if you shred more than you need and then add the mayonnaise when you want some more:-)
Karen
A great recipe and I DO love a drop of coleslaw in my sarnies as well as on my jacket spud! Karen
Camilla
Thank you Karen, things don’t necessarily need to be complicated to taste good:-)
Jen @ BlueKitchenBakes
I do love coleslaw but have only made it a few times, have to say that it does taste better when I make the effort to make it myself. I quite like adding some finely sliced granny smith apple as well some times to make it a bit more interesting.
Camilla
I seem to make coleslaw all summer long but thought I’d have a change and make it during the winter!
Fuss Free Helen
My top frugal tip for prepping up some coleslaw is to add a spoonful of juice from a jar of gherkins! It adds another layer of flavour, all for free!
Camilla
Mmm, I’ll take your word for that, but I’m not a fan of viniager in coleslaw, I like it plain and simple (bit like me:-)
Sophie
I love coleslaw – I haven’t thought about it for ages as the shop-bought stuff isn’t good. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Camilla
We sometimes need a little jog, thank you for popping by Sophie. Love to the bunnies:-)
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
I agree those dinky white cabbages are perfect for homemade coleslaw! I tend to make my own red coleslaw at home and rarely buy it anymore. You can be more versatile at home!
Camilla
Exactly you can go off piste adding apple, raisins, curry powder, sky’s the limit:-)