Transform ordinary cabbage into a crave-worthy side dish with this classic creamy American coleslaw recipe. This sweet and tangy homemade dressing combines the perfect balance of creamy mayonnaise, tangy vinegar, and aromatic celery seeds for an elevated coleslaw that will have everyone asking for your recipe.
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This classic American coleslaw salad has a creamy, tangy dressing seasoned with celery seed, Dijon mustard, and vinegar — my secret weapon for turning ordinary cabbage into something special!
It takes just minutes to whip together, and the results are so much more flavorful than anything you'll find at the store. The subtle hints of celery seed and Dijon mustard add that special "what's in this?" quality that elevates an everyday dish into something memorable.
Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue, packing school lunches, or need a quick side for weeknight dinners, this classic coleslaw salad delivers every time.
Why You'll Love This American Coleslaw Recipe
- Quick & Simple: Just a few basic ingredients and 5 minutes are all you need to create this delicious dressing from scratch.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this salad up to a week in advance and keep it ready in your fridge for whenever you need a quick side dish.
- Versatile Flavor: While perfect on classic coleslaw, this dressing works beautifully on green salads, as a sandwich spread, or even as a dip for fresh vegetables.
- Customizable to Taste: Easily adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or creaminess to suit your family's preferences.
🥗 Salads don't have to be just greens and summer vegetables — use whatever fresh seasonal produce is available year round to mix up salads for easy sides!
Recipe Ingredients
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar — or white vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Sugar — or honey
- Celery seeds
- Salt
- Pepper
- Green cabbage
- Red cabbage
- Carrots
- Green onions — or whatever onion you have on hand
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make American Coleslaw
Step 1: In a large serving bowl add the green cabbage, red cabbage, grated carrot, and green onions. Toss to combine.
Step 2: Add the mayo, vinegar, mustard, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
Step 3: Add the salad dressing to the cabbage mix.
Step 4: Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Recipe FAQs
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this salad stays fresh for up to a week. Give it a quick mix before using to redistribute the dressing.
You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for all or part of the mayonnaise for a lighter version. The tangy flavor of the yogurt works beautifully with the other ingredients. Sour cream is also an option.
Absolutely! A 14-ounce bag of coleslaw mix works perfectly with this dressing recipe. It's a wonderful time-saver when you're in a hurry, though fresh-cut cabbage does offer a slightly better texture and flavor.
Expert Tips
- Slice Cabbage Properly: For that classic coleslaw texture, slice your cabbage very thinly – aim for about ⅛ inch thickness.
- Salt in Stages: Add just half the salt to your dressing, then toss with the vegetables and taste before adding more. Cabbage varieties can differ in water content, affecting how much salt you'll need.
- Serving Temperature Matters: Remove your coleslaw from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving. The flavors will be more pronounced when not ice-cold.
- Balance is Key: If your coleslaw tastes too tart, add a little more sugar. If it's too sweet, add a splash more vinegar. Trust your taste buds and adjust until it's perfect for your family.
- Add Texture Variety: For extra crunch, consider adding ¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds just before serving. This unexpected addition adds wonderful texture contrast.
Other Favorite Easy Salads To Try
I will often throw together a few ingredients from items we have on hand and make a quick salad. This has led to some great salads my family loves!
- Easy Cucumber Salad: Easy and simple enough for a weeknight meal, elegant enough for a fancy dinner.
- Quick Spinach Salad: Always a huge hit and a total crowd pleaser!
- Kale Apple Salad: Easy to toss together and the orange vinaigrette sends it over the top.
More Favorites From Longbourn Farm
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Classic American Coleslaw
Ingredients
- ¾ cups mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons apple cider or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoons celery seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 cups thinly chopped green cabbage
- 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
- 1.5 cups grated carrot ((about 2 large))
- 5 green onions chopped ((or any other onion chopped finely))
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl add the green cabbage, red cabbage, grated carrot, and green onions. Toss to combine.
- Add the mayo, vinegar, mustard, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
- Whisk to combine and then add the salad dressing to the cabbage mix and stir to combine.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For that classic coleslaw texture, slice your cabbage very thinly – aim for about ⅛ inch thickness.
- Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream can be substituted for the mayonnaise.
- This salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week so it's a great make-ahead side. Just stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
- If you don't have green onions, use any other onion you have on hand. Cut them into thin strips or dice finely.
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