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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Homemade Cole Slaw Recipe

    July 21, 2021 | Heather Warburton

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Top view of homemade cole slaw in white serving bowl and with wooden serving spoon.

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Click HERE to read my policies.

    This Homemade Cole Slaw Recipe is easy and fast to put together. A simple and refreshing side dish that is creamy and crisp, and is perfect for BBQs, potlucks or family gatherings.

    This recipe is a great make ahead dish because it really does taste better the next day. Make it ahead of time for a fun get together or have it ready to serve along side your weeknight dinners. Cole Slaw is not only for summer picnics, it goes with any good comforting meal! Like chicken and mashed potatoes, or spaghetti & meatballs, or burgers and fries, and it is delicious on top of pulled pork sandwiches.

    Homemade cole slaw in white bowl with wooden serving spoon.

    This post was originally posted on 8/27/2015 and updated on 07/21/2021.

    Homemade Cole Slaw Ingredients

    • Green Cabbage
    • Carrots
    • Miracle Whip
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Sugar
    • Celery Seed
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper

    Substitution Suggestions:

    • Cabbage: I buy a whole cabbage and shred it myself, but the stores have bags of already shredded cabbage and bags of cole slaw mix. Any of those will work.
    • Carrots: I always have carrots in my fridge, so I'll shred my own with my food processor. You can use already shredded carrots from the grocery store too.
    • Miracle Whip: I grew up eating Miracle Whip so that is what I prefer to use. I have made this recipe with mayonnaise too and it is just as delicious. Use your favorite!
    • Sugar: Honey is a good substitute for the sugar. The dressing will be a little bit more thin but it is still tasty with the honey.

    How to Make Homemade Cole Slaw

    1. If you need to shred your cabbage and carrots, do that first. I like to shred the veggies using my food processor. If you don't have a food processor you can thinly slice the cabbage and use a box grater for the carrots.
    2. Add the shredded veggies to a large bowl and set aside.
    • Homemade cole slaw ingredients.
    • Shredded cabbage and shredded carrots in large glass bowl.
    1. In a small bowl, combine the Miracle Whip, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt and black pepper.
    2. Whisk it together well.
    • Dressing ingredients added to mixing bowl.
    • Dressing ingredients whisked together.
    1. Add the dressing to the bowl of shredded veggies and fold it together to combine it so everything is evenly coated.
    2. Chill the slaw in an air tight container for at least a hour before serving.
    • Dressing added to large glass bowl with the shredded cabbage and carrots.
    • Homemade cole slaw completely combined and ready to be chilled.

    Best Cole Slaw Recipe Tips

    • To prevent the carrots from bleeding, rinse them in cold water to remove any excess juice. Pat them dry with a towel or paper towels.
    • This recipe is great to make ahead. It can be made a day ahead of time. I wouldn't make it any sooner than a day because it will start to get a little watery after a few days. To make it ahead of time sooner, you can store the dressing and shredded veggies separate in the fridge. When ready to serve, mix it up, chill it for a bit and then serve.
    • Store the cole slaw in an air tight container in the fridge. It will last 4-5 days. The longer it sits the dressing will become a little watery and the veggies will become more soft.

    FAQs About Homemade Cole Slaw Recipe

    How long does homemade cole slaw last?

    Homemade or prepared cole slaw will last in the the fridge 3-5 days when stored in an air tight container.

    Why does my homemade cole slaw go watery?

    The salt in the dressing will draw out the moisture in the cabbage and carrots. The extra moisture will eventually make the dressing watery.

    Top view of homemade cole slaw in with round serving bowl.

    Other Salad Side Dishes:

    • Classic Potato Salad
    • Creamy Tomato Cucumber Salad
    • Ham Pasta Salad
    • Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad
    • Tomato, Cucumber and Basil Salad
    • Creamy Fruit Salad
    • Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
    • Italian Pasta Salad
    Homemade cole slaw in white bowl with wooden serving spoon.
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    Homemade Cole Slaw Recipe

    This Homemade Cole Slaw Recipe is easy and fast to put together. A simple and refreshing side dish that is creamy and crisp, and is perfect for BBQs, potlucks or family gatherings.
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: homemade cole slaw recipe, homemade coleslaw
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    plus chilling: 1 hour
    Servings: 16
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups shredded green cabbage, about ½ head or so
    • 1 cup shredded carrots, about 2 large carrots
    • 1 cup Miracle Whip
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon celery seed
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions

    • Place shredded cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
    • In a small bowl whisk together the Miracle Whip, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt and pepper.
    • Add the dressing to the shredded cabbage and carrots, and fold together until completely combined.
    • Chill for at least a hour before serving.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup about | Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1373IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Hi, I'm Heather! A wife and mom of 3. I like to create and share homemade recipes from breakfast to dessert that the whole family will enjoy. Thank you for stopping by!

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