This creamy coleslaw dressing is better than anything that you can ever buy at the grocery store! It’s an easy recipe with basic ingredients that provide the perfect balance for your cabbage mix.
Once you make this homemade coleslaw dressing recipe, you’re going to be pairing this side dish with every one of your favorite grilling recipes all summer long!
The best part about making homemade dressing for coleslaw is that it has the perfect refreshing taste! Once you make it once, you’ll never buy anything store-bought again!
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Pin RecipeCreamy Dressing for a Classic Coleslaw Recipe
You’re going to be making this up for a traditional picnic treat! This makes enough dressing for a delicious side dish that has a unique flavor that you’ll love. You can smother the crunchy cabbage with the great flavor of this perfect coleslaw dressing. It’s as simple as literally adding to your favorite bag of coleslaw mix.
I’ve been making this easy coleslaw 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!
Perfect for summer potlucks and pairs amazingly with a pulled pork sandwich as well. If you’re used to traditional coleslaw recipes, this is going to be a huge hit!
Ingredients For The Best Coleslaw Recipe
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Mayonnaise – You can use regular or light.
- Spicy or dijon mustard – I like to use spicy but the kids prefer regular.
- Onion powder – This is a key ingredient for flavor.
- Sugar – You can also use a sugar alternative if you don’t want to add sugar.
- Celery seed – This is a great addition to taste.
- Cider vinegar – You can use apple cider vinegar.
- Lemon juice – Can use lime juice as well.
How To Make Coleslaw Dressing
- Add the mayo: Add the mayonnaise to a jar.
- Mix the seasonings: Add in the seasoning and the mustard and stir.
- Add the liquid: Add in the lemon juice and the vinegar.
- Shake: Put the lid on the jar and shake until mixed.
- Shake again: Add salt and pepper and put on the lid and shake again.
- Chill: Chill until ready to add to your cabbage.
- Store: Store in the fridge.
Quick Tip:
Even though this cole slaw dressing is simple and easy to do, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
Adding in the lemon juice adds the perfect citrus flavor and taste. Mixed with the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, it really does combine quite well. The white sugar adds the right amount of sweetness to balance it all out.
How To Store Creamy Coleslaw Dressing
The best way to store this creamy coleslaw dressing is in the jar you made it in. The dressing can be stored in the air 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.
FAQs
All you need to do is use your food processor or box grater and chop up your green cabbage and red cabbage that way. You can even add in some broccoli and turn it into a broccoli slaw, too.
YES! I’ve used either type, and they all work out great.
You can add it a day in advance but the sooner that you do add it, it will take away some of the crunch factors of the recipe.
For the best flavor and taste, the recipe should be eaten within 3 days of making it.
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Coleslaw Dressing
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 mayo½ cup mayonnaise
- Then add mustard and seasoning, stir to combine1 tablespoon dijon or spicy mustard, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, ½ teaspoon celery seed
- Add vinegar and lemon juice1 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 againSalt and pepper to taste
- Chill until ready to serve with coleslaw
- Store in refrigerator
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!
This was amazing & so much better than store bought. Super easy to prepare!!
Thank you, Sally!
They didn’t have any coleslaw dressing at the store I went to so I looked it up in the store. I already had everything at home.i it is delicious and I will never buy store bought again! Thank you!
Made this. (My husband has always told me nobody makes coleslaw like his mom.) with that being said…. My hubby said the only thing different is mom just used green cabbage. I picked up a bag of coleslaw mix with purple cabbage and carrots. This is a HIT !!
I made this tonight, was skeptical about the mustard but I added half the amount. I also made extra cuz we like it that way. It tasted great on the spoon so I can’t wait to dig in!
The best. I took this to a family dinner and have been asked to bring the cole slaw again and again…🙂
This will be my go-to from now on!! I almost stopped at the store to purchase some dressing & I said ‘What, are you crazy? Make some at home!!’ Tastes way better & is so much healthier without all the preservatives!! Thank you!
Had high hopes for this dressing but did not like. Way too tangy & sour. I think the dijon mustard was too much. Moving on to a different dressing.
Really good and easy and so much cheaper than bought
Really good it’s a keeper
Can I freeze cole slaw dressing?
Excellent. Great on keto. I just replace the sugar with a blend of alternative sweeteners. Best slaw dressing I have ever made!
How long can I keep the dressing in the fridge? maybe will use half since only one person.
Easy and delicious! Why buy bottled?
I made this and very good. I have been making a homemade version of coleslaw dressing for about 4 years now. I have never bought another bottle of store bought since. As you said it is fresh and mixed just before serving makes it fresh. I usually make it as I am starting the meat and after mixing with the coleslaw cabbage and carrots, i put in fridge to keep it cool and marinate. I also add about one slice of onion finely chopped to the dressing and a teaspoon of sour cream.
Absolutely delicious and so easy. Keeper for sure!
You did NOT LIE!! YUMMMMM- made for Memorial Day with ribs & corn on cob. I think this would be great dip for fried mushrooms or fried zucchini!! GOOD JO !!!
I have 2 gallons of coleslaw dressing . I need to can it in half pint jars. I’ve canned for decades, but not sure about time, or 5,10,15 pounds of pressure.