Creamy Coleslaw

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This homemade Creamy Coleslaw is a super quick & easy side dish for your next picnic. There’s a secret ingredient that makes it better than any bottled dressing!

Salads are one of my favorite parts of summer. You can have a fresh strawberry spinach salad for dinner, a hot potato salad as a side dish or even a Snickers apple salad as a dessert.

Sometimes, you just need a classic like this creamy coleslaw recipe.

overhead view of creamy coleslaw

I’ll have to admit…side dishes are not my most favorite thing to make. I love eating them, but they always seem like a lot of work when the dish is not the main dish to eat.

Sometimes I need a quick side dish to have with a home meal or to take to a dinner.

This is where Creamy Coleslaw comes in.  This recipe comes from Taste of Home and although I am not completely in love with coleslaw, this creamy version hits the spot and never disappoints!

What is coleslaw?

Coleslaw is a traditional American side dish made with cabbage and a creamy sauce. Coleslaw is from the Dutch world koolsla which means “cabbage salad”.  Coleslaw always has shredded cabbage, but sometimes you’ll find it with a creamy dressing and other times with a vinaigrette.

ingredients for coleslaw

How bad is coleslaw for you?

It’s not exactly health food. Although you are getting a hefty dose of cabbage and carrots, coleslaw also has quite a bit of fat from the mayonnaise and also sugar. To lighten the calories and fat, use light mayo (or make your own homemade mayo), then use lower fat sour cream. You can also use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar.

Coleslaw Dressing Recipe

This recipe calls for a mixture of sour cream and salad dressing.  You can feel free to use either mayo or Miracle Whip. I know families are generally all for one or the other. We use both in our house. And I’ve made this coleslaw with both successfully.

I think the sour cream is what we call our “secret ingredient” in this recipe.  It makes the dressing so…well… creamy! It tones down the flavor and makes it “calmer” than some storebought dressings.

a bowl of coleslaw and sauce

How to Make Coleslaw

You’ll love how quick and easy this coleslaw is to mix up.

  • Buy a bag of coleslaw mix.  Yes, you can shred your own cabbage and carrots, but the pre-packaged mixes are perfectly fine.
  • Mix up the dressing in a small bowl.
  • Add the dressing to the coleslaw mix.

You’re done…and you’ve made homemade coleslaw dressing!  So much better than the bottled kind.

What do you eat coleslaw with?

Get creative with how you serve this Creamy Coleslaw.  Use it as a side dish, or a topping for a sandwich!

Coleslaw is traditionally served with fish and chips or with pulled pork sandwiches.

pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw

How long does homemade coleslaw last in the fridge?

Coleslaw will last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. The cabbage will wilt slightly as it sits in the creamy dressing. I often add freshly shredded cabbage to leftover coleslaw to brighten it and freshen it up a bit.

Other Picnic Side Dishes

pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw

pork with coleslaw sandwich
pork with coleslaw sandwich

Creamy Coleslaw Recipe

4.67 from 6 votes
This Creamy Coleslaw is a super quick & easy side dish for your next picnic. There's a secret ingredient that makes it better than any bottled dressing!
Servings 6
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 14 ounces package coleslaw mix
  • 3/4 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt

Instructions
 

  • Place coleslaw mix in a large bowl.
  •  In another small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and stir until blended. 
  • Pour over coleslaw mix and stir to coat.
  •  Store in the refrigerator until serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 660mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 24.2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Calories 100
Keyword easy coleslaw recipe, easy side dish, how to make coleslaw

This homemade Creamy Coleslaw is a super quick & easy side dish for your next picnic. There's a secret ingredient that makes it better than any bottled dressing!

About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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4.67 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)
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pam
2 years ago

5 stars
by far the best coleslaw I have ever made. Thanks Julie!

Louise
3 years ago

I am trying to recreate a coleslaw like the one at Swiss Chalet. Can’t wait to try this recipe.

Kayty
9 years ago

Hi what kind of salad dressing do you use?

Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling
10 years ago

Great simple recipe! I’m with you on sides…..when it’s just our family, I’m so much more likely to pick up sides from the deli just to keep it simple!

Jamie+@+Love+Bakes+Good+Cakes
10 years ago

I hate to admit that I usually buy the premade stuff …. no more! I can’t wait to try this!

Consuelo @ Honey & Figs
11 years ago

Looks so darn good!! I can’t wait to try this 😉