Creamy, tart, and mildly candy, this easy coleslaw dressing is a superb condiment for coleslaws, salads, and tons of different aspect dishes. We’ve been making it for years now, and it’s at all times a welcome addition to the dinner desk.


We’ve grown to like our basic memphis-style coleslaw a lot, we make it continuously. However, what I’ve discovered through the years is that nothing beats a freshly dressed slaw. Pre-made coleslaw simply sits there, getting soggy. So, I’ve taken to creating this coleslaw dressing recipe upfront and conserving it within the fridge alongside the remainder of our favourite salad dressings. That approach, when it’s time to eat, I simply shred the cabbage, drizzle the dressing, and toss. At all times contemporary. At all times crisp.
Coleslaw Dressing


I’ve been making dressings from scratch since lengthy earlier than the beginning of this weblog. The comfort of prepping my favourite condiments with elements I’ve at residence simply can’t be beat. And, making your dressings contemporary provides you taste that’s SO significantly better than bottled!
This one is southern model, via and thru. Creamy mayo base, a great hit of apple cider vinegar for tang, a little bit of sugar, and celery seeds. These celery seeds are a should. They convey simply the fitting earthy, peppery chunk to distinction the candy sugar. Strive them on this recipe for coleslaw dressing, and also you’ll by no means return.
Past coleslaw, this dressing is flexible sufficient to deliver a coleslaw kick to loads of different salads. And, I don’t wish to brag, however I’ve watched somebody come again for thirds of this slaw at a cookout. So there’s that.


Elements and Substitutions
Mayo – I at all times use customary, full-fat mayonnaise. It provides the dressing that thick, creamy base you need. Gentle mayo will work in a pinch.
Apple Cider Vinegar – You’re going to like the tart taste that apple cider vinegar lends to this dressing. Common vinegar ain’t acquired nothing on us.
Sugar – I exploit a small quantity of sugar to assist stability the flavors of the vinegar and celery seeds.
Mustard – Dijon all the way in which! I favor the sharper taste of this mustard. However, you should use customary yellow mustard. Simply know that you could be want to scale back the vinegar a bit, as that number of mustard is extra vinegar ahead.
Celery Seeds – For me, celery seeds are a should in a coleslaw. They convey simply the fitting earthy, peppery bitterness to distinction an in any other case candy and tangy base.
Onion – Onion powder is my go-to for all dressings, besides once I need noticeable chunks of zesty onion, like in thousand island dressing. The powder distributes extra totally all through the dressing, infusing it with taste with none of the onion chunk.
Salt – I at all times use kosher salt. At all times. Effectively, until I say in any other case. However, not less than 99.44% of the time.


Notes on Gear
- Mixing bowl – This bowl is a complete workhorse! It handles all of it with ease, from mixing batters to tossing salads. Metal doesn’t flinch at an prolonged beating, and the non-slip base retains it firmly in place.
- Whisk
- Measuring cups – I’ve a drawer full of assorted measuring cups, however these are those I attain for, each time when making my dressings. They’ve acquired a pleasant heft with out being heavy, they measure precisely, and so they’re dishwasher protected. I’ve had mine for nearly 10 years now and so they’re nonetheless going robust.
- Measuring spoons
- Hermetic container or jar for storing


Make Coleslaw Dressing
Combining the Elements: I add all the elements to a small bowl. That’s mayo, sugar, mustard, vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and onion powder. Nothing fancy. However, if you need, you’ll be able to add somewhat velvet rope and make them wait in line. No judgement, right here!
Whisking: Now we have to whisk all of it collectively till easy and properly mixed. Then, I give it a style. That is the place you regulate. Does it want extra tang? Some sweetness? Does it really feel muted ultimately? You may tweak it with additional vinegar, sugar, or salt to fit your style.
Chilling: I switch the dressing to a jar with a lid and pop it into the fridge. Now, you might use it straight away. However, I at all times give it time within the fridge to offer the flavors an opportunity to fulfill and greet.
Tossing the Slaw: If you’re able to eat, simply drizzle this wonderful dressing over shredded cabbage and provides it a toss. I wish to coat it frivolously, as a result of you’ll be able to at all times add extra later. Crisp coleslaw beats soggy each time.


Professional Tip
Among the finest issues you are able to do to when making this coleslaw dressing is to offer it the aforementioned time within the fridge. These are some large flavors. We have to give them time to mellow and get to know one another. Ready let’s the whole lot meld into the fabulous flavors you need. It tastes good straight away. However, it tastes even higher after a number of hours.
Management Consistency – The dressing shouldn’t be runny, nevertheless it must be pourable and straightforward to stir. If it’s too skinny, add a spoonful of mayo and whisk it once more. Too thick? One other teaspoon of apple cider vinegar will loosen it proper up.
Season Twice – Style the dressing earlier than and after time within the fridge. The flavors would possibly shift somewhat as they chill. I exploit the measurements on this recipe as a baseline, however I’ll at all times do a closing style examine earlier than serving and tweak issues if wanted.
Costume When Serving – Hold the dressing and the shredded cabbage separate till you’re able to eat. This fashion you keep away from serving unhappy, watery coleslaw to your visitors.
Serving Solutions
This coleslaw dressing implies that slaw turns into just about the simplest aspect ever. We wish to eat our slaw on high of a barbecue sundae. It begins with a base of candy and tangy pulled pork. Then, you high that with the perfect sluggish cooker baked beans, and end it with a scoop of creamy chilly coleslaw. It’s an unimaginable mixture of flavors, and so definitely worth the effort.
However, if you happen to’re searching for one thing somewhat less complicated? You may’t go fallacious with a construct your individual scorching canine bar. Simply add the coleslaw to the lineup and watch it disappear.


Make Forward & Storage
Make Forward: Sure! This dressing can (and truthfully ought to) be made upfront. I often prep a batch to make use of for salads and sides later within the week. Simply give it a great shake every time earlier than use.
Retailer: You may retailer this dressing in an hermetic container within the fridge for a couple of week. Give it a stir or shake earlier than serving, if it’s been sitting for a number of days.
Extra Coleslaw Recipes
That’s a strong NO. Celery salt isn’t a great substitute as a result of it’s principally salt with a small quantity of floor celery seed combined in. You’d have so as to add a substantial amount of celery salt to get the identical quantity of taste and that quantity of added salt would spoil the dressing. Celery seeds, then again, provide you with pure taste with out altering the salt stage.
My buddy, you may make this dressing nonetheless you need. You may skip the mustard. However, it would take away a fairly distinctive observe on this dressing. I’d make a tiny batch, if altering the recipe that a lot, to see if you happen to truly just like the consequence, first.
Once more, you may make it the way you need. I’m not the boss of you. However, I wrote the recipe to stability every of the flavour sides between the tang, sweetness, richness, kick, and so forth. Relying on what you would possibly select to substitute, the style and consistency of the dressing could also be solely completely different.
This retains properly within the fridge for as much as per week. Admittedly, I’m fairly frugal, so I’ve even used it after that. However, I don’t advocate rolling the cube with meals security.
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In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, vinegar, celery seeds, salt, and onion powder.
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Whisk till easy and properly mixed. Style and regulate seasoning as desired.
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Switch to an hermetic container and refrigerate the dressing till prepared to make use of. Stir or shake earlier than utilizing.
Energy: 106 kcal | Carbohydrates: 2 g | Protein: 0.3 g | Fats: 11 g | Saturated Fats: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 6 g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2 g | Trans Fats: 0.03 g | Ldl cholesterol: 6 mg | Sodium: 255 mg | Potassium: 12 mg | Fiber: 0.1 g | Sugar: 2 g | Vitamin A: 11 IU | Vitamin C: 0.1 mg | Calcium: 7 mg | Iron: 0.2 mg
Vitamin data is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

