Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw

July 8, 2021August 23, 2021

Sweet and tangy coleslaw makes the perfect side dish to almost any meal, all the while keeping the calories light but not skimping on flavor. This simple dish can be pulled together in just 15 minutes, or you can use a store bought cabbage blend to pull this together in just 5 minutes!

Ingredient Notes

Cabbage

This recipe is for one whole head of cabbage. I personally love to have the beautiful colors of both the purple and green cabbage so I use half a head from each and save the other half for a stir-fry or other use. If you are making this for a crowd, then go ahead and double the dressing and use both heads of cabbage, otherwise just stick with whichever color you prefer.

I find that the purple cabbage is a bit crunchier and bleeds if it sits more than 24 hours, but the flavor is still wonderful.

If you prefer, you can buy a premade coleslaw blend that has the carrots and cabbage all shredded for you, then you just need to toss it with the easy dressing making for the easiest homemade coleslaw ever!

Champagne Vinegar

Many sweet and sour coleslaw recipes use apple cider vinegar or other flavored vinegar. I like to keep the tang a little gentler so I prefer to make this recipe with champagne vinegar. Any leftover vinegar is lovely on salads or with chicken or pasta.

If you can’t find champagne vinegar then you can substitute rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar in its place but the flavor will be a bit more potent.

Mustard Powder

The little hint of mustard powder does really add to the flavor profile of this easy coleslaw dish so I wouldn’t leave it out. If you can’t find mustard powder, then substitute ¼ teaspoon of dijon

mustard in its place. Don’t substitute regular yellow mustard as it will be way too strong of a flavor in this recipe.

Scallions:

Scallions are simply green onions, and though not a necessity, their little burst of flavor does add a nice little surprise to this dish and makes it a little more unique than every other coleslaw recipe. Slice them thinly or feel free to leave them out if you are not an onion fan.

Ingredients needed for sweet and tangy coleslaw laid out on a black surface

How to Make Coleslaw from Scratch Without Mayo

Coleslaw is incredibly easy to make, and even without much kitchen experience you can pull this dish together relatively easily.

Begin by preparing your vegetables: Slice the cabbage thinly, grate the carrots, and slice your scallions.
Combine prepared vegetables in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, water, oil, salt, pepper, mustard powder and sugar.
Pour the vinegar dressing over the large bowl of cabbage and carrots and toss to combine.
Sprinkle on the sliced scallions and stir one more time to mix.
Serve and Enjoy!

step photos for how to make no mayonnaise coleslaw, mixing the salad and preparing the dressing

Storage

Vinegar coleslaw has the best texture the day it is made but can be made 8 hours in advance before beginning to wilt. Leftovers can be covered in the fridge and stored for up to 3 days.

Make Ahead Option

The cabbage and carrots can be shredded and stored in the fridge 24 hours in advance, and the dressing can be mixed and stored in a jar in the fridge until ready to use.

When you are ready to serve then simply pour the dressing over the veggies and sprinkle in the scallions to bring this sweet and tangy coleslaw dish together. So quick and easy!

sweet and tangy coleslaw on black background served in a white serving bowl with silver serving utensils

FAQ’S

Is Coleslaw Healthy to Eat?

Cabbage is a low calorie item and paired with a light vinegar dressing like a no mayo coleslaw, then it is the perfect healthy side to fill up your plate with!

Can I Grate My Cabbage in the Food Processor?

Cabbage works well grated in the food processor if you use the largest grating attachment. This is very convenient when making a large batch for a crowd as you can do the carrots this way as well!

Serve With

Coleslaw is most often found at barbecues or served alongside grilled meats. Try enjoying it on a pulled pork sandwich or alongside your Shredded Pork Nachos anytime of the year for a simple gluten free side dish!

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