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This creamy coleslaw dressing is better than anything you can buy at the grocery store! It’s an easy recipe with basic ingredients that provide the perfect balance for your cabbage mix.
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Pin RecipeCreamy Dressing for a Classic Coleslaw Recipe
I’ve been making this dressing recipe for years and it’s always a hit! It’s my go-to summer recipe when I want to make something cool and refreshing. Or when I have a head of cabbage and need an easy recipe to whip up! It’s perfect for summer potlucks and pairs amazingly with a pulled pork sandwich as well.

My Tips for Perfect Coleslaw
You are going to LOVE this coleslaw dressing recipe and I bet it will become your family’s favorite too. Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years for making coleslaw that never disappoints.
- Adjust the texture to your liking. Do you want coleslaw with lots of crispy-crunch? Then dress your slaw RIGHT before you serve it. Prefer your cabbage more wilted? Toss the cabbage and dressing together and refrigerate for a few hours.
- Save those broccoli stems. You can use store-bought shredded cabbage or shred your own in a food processor or box grater. Sometimes I like to add broccoli stems too, which add a little more crunch!
- Lighten it up. I know there are healthy coleslaw dressings that swap the mayo for yogurt and I’m going to be honest with you: I’m not a fan. But what works better is splitting the difference and using half mayo, half plain Greek yogurt. It’ll lighten up the recipe a bit, add some tanginess, but still have the richness you want.

How to Store
The best way to store this creamy coleslaw dressing is in the jar you made it in. The dressing can be stored in the jar in the refrigerator for up to one week but will be best for the first 3 days after it is made. When you want to add the dressing to the coleslaw, give the dressing a good shake in the jar and pour it on the cabbage mixture.
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Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon or spicy mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or wide mouth jar with a lid, add mayo.½ cup mayonnaise
- Then add mustard and seasoning, stir to combine.1 tablespoon dijon or spicy mustard, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, ½ teaspoon celery seed
- Add vinegar and lemon juice.1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Place lid on jar and shake until well combined.
- Add salt and pepper to taste, place on lid and shake again.Salt and pepper to taste
- Chill until ready to serve with coleslaw.
- Store in refrigerator.
Video
Nutrition
More Homemade Dressing Recipes
- I love tossing this Italian Dressing with arugula, shaved Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts for a simple side salad.
- Grab some lettuce and croutons because this Classic Caesar Salad Dressing is ALWAYS a hit!
- Homemade Ranch Dressing is easy to make and so very worth it.
What’s a good starting point for “salt to taste”? I’m off looking at other recipes forideas. I’m not good at the ingredients “to taste”. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. It is quite yummy as made for company yesterday:)
Next time, I might decrease the lemon juice a wee bit.
great recipe very tasty will definitely be making it again
Very delicious just like KFC’s
I made this today. Perfect flavor. I love it.
Great Recipe !!
I usually use “Litehouse” Dressing, if I don’t make it Myself.
Never Again !
Easy & Fast, it definitely Beat, Running to the Grocery Store !
I didn’t have any Celery Seed, Used Celery Salt !
Perfect & Easy !
Loved It & Perfect for the 4th of July 🇺🇸
We’re so happy it turned out well for you and hope you had a very happy 4th, Tena!
I just made this dressings and it’ll be my go to from now on. I usually don’t rate the recipes that I try but I had to leave a comment for this one. Thank you for sharing! Great flavor!!!👍👍
Thank you so much, Lily! We really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. 😊
This is my second time making this dressing. It is Very Good. I do not like Cole Slaw , I thought. What I don’t care for is a strong Vinegar dressing.
This one is perfect , my Husband is very happy I found one I liked , so I make it for him.
Thanks for a Great Recipr
Thank you for trying it out, Melody! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊
So much better than store-bought! And a fraction of the cost. I used white wine vinegar (because that’s what I had) and it was delicious!
Thank you, Karen! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
A delicious dressing for coleslaw. It’s a fragrant, tasty salad dressing I’ll use every time.
Thank you, Debra! We’re so happy to hear this!
First time making my own coleslaw dressing. This recipe was perfect. Easy to make with ingredients I have on hand and really delicious! I’ll never buy coleslaw dressing again!
Thank you, Wendy! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! What do you like to pair your coleslaw with?
Great dressing recipe!! I’ve now use this recipe twice, first time I used apple cider vinegar, and this time I used distilled white vinegar since I didn’t have the recommended vinegar in the recipe, but both dressings came out great!! I’ll never again buy store bought dressing again!
Thank you so much, Rachelle! Did you enjoy one version over the other?
This coleslaw dressing is wonderful. It has more flavor than other dressings I have tried. The spicy mustard is awesome for the little bit of “kick”. Love it and will use it forever!
We’re so happy to hear this, Carolyn! Thank you. 😊
I realized as I pulled this recipe up tonight, that I’ve been using it for months without ever commenting! It’s amazing. My mom made coleslaw dressing from scratch too, but this recipe with the Dijon is another level – I love the slightly spicy and sour variety in it. My husband doesn’t love it alone, however on a pulled pork sandwich he does, because it stands out enough on the sandwich because of the spice! Amazing recipe!!
Thank you so much, Nicole! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. 😊
Best dressing recipe for Cole slaw. Will use it often.♥️👍
Thank you, Charlene!
I add 1 clove of garlic to this and spicy mustard with half the grainy mustard to equal the mustard measurement. Takes it from good to amazing. I make a pulled pork pizza and add this dressing to the top after its cooked it’s a favorite around here.
Thank you for the feedback, Terri! We’re so glad you enjoy it and will definitely have to give your version a try. 😊
I enjoyed this dressing. I did have to add some sour cream and I used fresh maple syrup instead of sugar. Turned out great. Without the sour cream, it just was too.”mayonnaisy”
Thank you for the feedback, Maggie! We’re glad you were able to make it work for you!