Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe

Home » Recipes » Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

by Mike Hultquist · Jul 9, 2021 · 36 Comments · Jump to Recipe

This vinegar coleslaw recipe is a no-mayo coleslaw made with finely shredded cabbage, carrots, bell pepper and onion tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It's the perfect side dish.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

What is the best recipe for coleslaw? I got it right here. If you prefer your coleslaw without mayonnaise, this is the best way to prepare it. Coleslaw is a must for summer cooking. It's a side dish that goes with anything off the grill.

I'm always disappointed if I attend a barbecue and there is no coleslaw.

Coleslaw is often prepared with mayo for more of a creamy coleslaw, but vinegar-based coleslaw is becoming more and more popular. You'll find it more in the southern U.S., though it is thankfully working its way northward.

I have a creamy coleslaw recipe that is mayo based that you may want to try if you prefer your coleslaw with mayo, but if you prefer the oil and vinegar version, here you go!

Let's talk about how to make vinegar coleslaw, shall we?

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (2)

Vinegar Coleslaw Ingredients

FOR THE SHREDDED VEGETABLES
Cabbage
Carrot
Red Bell Pepper
Red Onion (green onions are nice as well)
FOR THE VINAIGRETTE / DRESSING
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar (a good tangy vinegar)
Honey
Spicy Brown Mustard (Dijon mustard is good, too)
Seasonings. Dried basil, dry mustard, celery seed, red chili flakes, sea salt and black pepper.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (3)

How to Make Vinegar Coleslaw - the Recipe Method

First, finely shred a medium-sized head of green cabbage along with a large carrot and one red bell pepper. Add them to a large bowl.

Thinly slice a small red onion and add it to the bowl.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (4)

Make your Vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard, 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon celery seed, 1 teaspoon red chili flakes and a bit of salt and pepper to your personal taste.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (5)

Next, pour the vinegar based dressing over the coleslaw mix and toss everything. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Make sure the veggies are evenly coated with the sweet and tangy dressing.

BOOM! DONE!

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (6)

You can serve up your vinegar coleslaw right away if you'd like, but I like to let the flavors mingle and develop in the refrigerator, covered, for an hour before serving it up.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (7)

Recipe Notes & Tips

What's the Best Vinegar for Coleslaw? Apple cider vinegar is the best vinegar for making any vinegar based coleslaw recipe, as it has an inherent sweetness that accentuates the dish. You can use white vinegar, however, if you'd prefer. A good white wine or champagne vinegar is a good substitute as well.
Other Vegetables. You use other vegetables in your coleslaw to make it your own. Crunchy vegetables make the best choices. Consider purple or red cabbage, green onion and other spicier chili peppers to add some variety. Others to try are radicchio, broccoli, celery, apple, pear and others.
Punch Up Your Coleslaw. You can consider coleslaw a base recipe that is ripe for additional ingredients. Add some punch and pizzazz to your vinegar coleslaw with other ingredients like fresh or pickled cherries, pickled peppers, spiced nuts, grapes or tropical fruit like pineapple.

Serving Ideas

What Goes With Coleslaw? Coleslaw is best served with anything off the grill, like burgers or hot dogs, grilled chicken, pork chops, or steaks. It's a summer BBQ staple, offering up a wonderful tangy crunch.

It's also great served over pulled pork sandwiches, providing a light and bright crunchiness to complement soft and juicy pork.

Scoop some onto grilled sausages or sandwiches as an alternative to more traditional condiments.

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftover coleslaw in the refrigerator in a sealed container for a week, though it can last longer due to the vinegar content. You can add more vinegar to help it keep.

I do not recommend freezing coleslaw.

Serve Your Coleslaw With Some of These Popular Recipes

Grilled Pork Chops with Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
Grilled Shrimp Po' Boys
Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Choripan Argentina (Grilled Chorizo Sausages) - SO GOOD!
Grilled Harissa Chicken Legs
Grilled Beer Brats with Homemade Beer Cheese - Did Someone Say BEER?
Grilled London Broil

Try Some of My Other Popular Side Dishes

Jerk Rubbed Grilled Corn on the Cob
Elotes Salad (Mexican Corn Salad)
Cajun Corn Maque Choux
Grilled Corn Salad
Succotash
Collard Greens Recipe
Pikliz (Haitian Pickled Slaw)
Curtido (Salvadoran Cabbage Slaw)
Black Bean Salad

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

This vinegar coleslaw recipe is a no-mayo coleslaw made with finely shredded cabbage, carrots, bell pepper and onion tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It's the perfect side dish.

Save Recipe

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: coleslaw recipe, no mayo coleslaw, no mayonaisse coleslaw, vinegar coleslaw

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Calories: 115kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 10

Tap or hover to scale

5 from 17 votes

Ingredients

1 medium sized head of cabbage shredded or chopped
1 large carrot finely shredded
1 red bell pepper shredded
1 small red onion thinly sliced

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE / DRESSING

1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Mix the cabbage, carrot, bell pepper and red onion together in a large bowl.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, brown mustard, dried basil, dry mustard, celery seed, red chili flakes and a bit of salt and pepper.
Pour the vinaigrette into the slaw mixture and toss to coat.
Serve right away, or refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors mingle and develop even more flavor.

Video

Notes

You can serve up your vinegar coleslaw right away if you'd like, but I like to let the flavors mingle and develop in the refrigerator, covered, for an hour before serving it up.

Great as a summer side dish, or serve it as a topping on a pulled pork sandwich. Delicious.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 43mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1540IUVitamin C: 49.6mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1.1mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This post was updated on 7/9/21 to include new photos, video and information. It was originally published on 7/3/19.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Ken Shaw says
October 19, 2023 at 9:15 pm

so instead using chili flakes I used 1Tablespoon of the chili infused hot honey you can buy in store and 1 Tablespoon regular honey you can change ratio of hot honey to regular honey to suit you taste for heat found that gives a bit more even taste than using the flakes
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  October 20, 2023 at 6:36 am
  
  Exactly, Ken. Great alternative.
  Reply
Craig Barrett says
October 12, 2023 at 1:37 pm

It amazes me when you go to a deli and you really want to get some great coleslaw and when you get home, you’re so disappointed this is the best coleslaw I’ve ever had. It amazes me that delis can’t make this kind of coleslaw. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  October 12, 2023 at 1:57 pm
  
  Glad you enjoyed it, Craig! I appreciate it!
  Reply
Cheryl Hoover says
August 26, 2023 at 11:13 am

Every one of your recipes is perfect. This is a great alternative to a creamy coleslaw. I reduced the oil to 1/4 c and used canola; also added about 3 T chopped pickled jalapenos. Thanks for a low cal and healthy recipe!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  August 26, 2023 at 11:19 am
  
  Thanks, Cheryl! I appreciate the kind words! Glad you enjoyed it.
  Reply
Deb says
July 30, 2023 at 2:03 pm

I just made another batch of your “no mayo” slaw. I’ve been compiling a variety of some great slaws that work good with both pork dishes as well as shrimp tacos.
Mike, yours is a winner on both accounts!
The flavors are wonderfully brite and fresh. I did, however, alter the recipe just a smidge tho…
Used some keto sweetener in place of the honey. Utter perfection!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  July 31, 2023 at 5:51 am
  
  Boom! Glad you enjoyed it, Deb! =)
  Reply
Hank says
December 20, 2022 at 10:23 am

Great recipe for coleslaw. One thing I do is once all the ingredients are mixed
See Also
Pastina Recipe (Creamy and Cheesy)
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  December 20, 2022 at 11:15 am
  
  Thanks, Hank!
  Reply
Judy says
October 20, 2022 at 4:43 pm

Great recipe! Love the addition of the red pepper flakes. Perfect dressing.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  October 20, 2022 at 4:49 pm
  
  Glad you enjoyed it, Judy!!
  Reply
Rosemarie says
August 10, 2022 at 2:55 pm

We love your recipes!!
My guy likes hot and and asks for me to make your recipes all the time!!
Thanks!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  August 10, 2022 at 2:58 pm
  
  Thanks, Rosemarie! Glad you are enjoying the recipes!
  Reply
Mary says
May 29, 2022 at 4:49 pm

Great recipe! I used pineapple vinegar (from Rancho Gordo), green onion instead of red, a Jalapeno, a Fresno pepper, half the oil, and fresh cilantro instead of basil. Served as a side with BBQ pork, and next day put it on my Cod street tacos. Very versatile and yummy!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  May 29, 2022 at 6:00 pm
  
  Perfection right there, Mary! Thanks for sharing!!
  Reply
Ed says
February 13, 2022 at 12:58 pm

Favorite slaw! Goes great with everything. We usually add a chopped habanero and a chopped serrano for extra kick. Keep up the great work!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  February 13, 2022 at 1:49 pm
  
  Nice! Thanks for the comments, Ed! Glad you love it as much as we do! Love the habanero addition.
  Reply
Vicky Paras says
October 13, 2021 at 11:51 am

This was just wonderful!!!! The whole fam enjoyed it!!!! This is in my rotation now!!!!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  October 13, 2021 at 12:04 pm
  
  Nice! Glad everyone enjoyed it, Vicky!
  Reply
Abbey says
September 06, 2021 at 2:40 pm

Looking for a recipe like one we had on vacation. This is so good, well balanced and more satisfying than sugar for sweetness.
I grated a whole jalapeño pepper instead of the red pepper flakes, like they do at Leullas BBQ in Asheville.
Ten stars!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  September 07, 2021 at 5:36 am
  
  Awesome! Glad you found it, Abbey! So good. I love Asheville!
  Reply
Raimo Tarkkonen says
July 20, 2021 at 8:02 am

Just made this. Good! No mayo makes it so fresh.
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 20, 2021 at 8:05 am
  
  Thanks, Raimo! Glad you enjoyed it!
  Reply
Steve Korn says
July 19, 2021 at 10:47 am

Michael, what spicy nuts would pair well? Was thinking of toasted pine nuts...but they're not spicy.
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 19, 2021 at 10:51 am
  
  Pine nuts would be great for this, Steve. I love them. Macadamia nuts, too. Yum!
  Reply
Mark S Bergman says
July 10, 2021 at 5:17 pm

Delicious!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 10, 2021 at 9:10 pm
  
  Thanks, Mark!
  Reply
Mel says
July 10, 2021 at 10:12 am

Had to make this..Only thing I didn't have was celery seed,so subbed it with dried celery leaves.
In the fridge for 4 hours,had it with BBQ'd Cumberland sausages and pork belly.
Result ? Awesome ! Thanks Mike ..
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 10, 2021 at 11:05 am
  
  Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Mel. I love it.
  Reply
Rod Rosburg says
July 09, 2021 at 12:37 pm

This looks great. I bet it would pair well with a Carolina Style Pulled Pork.
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 09, 2021 at 12:39 pm
  
  OMG, yes! SO GOOD on a pulled pork sammich. Definitely Carolina style.
  Reply
Pablo Kalnay says
July 09, 2021 at 11:21 am

I tried this coleslaw in a small restaurant somewhere in Illinois 20 years ago, and I have been looking for a good recipe to replicate it! Great alternative to the regular coleslaw
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 09, 2021 at 12:01 pm
  
  Awesome! Enjoy, Pablo! We love it.
  Reply
Connie Bussey says
March 06, 2021 at 4:55 pm

I made it for a luncheon tomorrow, hope it is okay to sit overnight. My initial taste of it is amazing and will make this again.
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  March 07, 2021 at 6:47 am
  
  Wonderful! Thanks, Connie! Enjoy.
  Reply

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (2024)

FAQs

Can you use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar. Lemon Juice. I don't recommend making a substitution for the lemon juice.

Get More Info Here ›

Why does my homemade coleslaw taste bitter? ›

Cabbage Core:Issue: The core of the cabbage can be bitter, especially if it's not removed before shredding. Solution: Ensure that you remove the core of the cabbage before shredding it. Cut the cabbage in half, then cut out the triangular core from each half. Old Cabbage:Issue: Older cabbage may develop a bitter taste.

How do you keep coleslaw from being bitter? ›

Bitterness is another common problem with coleslaw. Sweeteners like honey and fresh fruit should also help to counteract even a stubborn bite. Or, you can attempt to mellow the bitterness by adding a splash of OJ to the coleslaw and mixing it in well.

What's better for coleslaw, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

Apple cider or white wine vinegar are both fine. The rule is to use a vinegar that is compatible with the flavors in the dish, so a light sauce probably wouldn't he best with a red wine vinegar, but you can use what you like. You might also substitute lemon or lime juice, depending on what you're making.

What happens if you use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar? ›

According to Burdeos, if you're going to be using it for cooking, white vinegar can be successfully substituted for apple cider vinegar. Just note that it will taste slightly different and obviously won't have that hint of apple flavor if that's also what you're after.

Tell Me More ›

How do you sweeten bitter cabbage? ›

Salt is your friend: Salt acts as a natural counter to bitter tastes. Adding a bit more salt or something salty like capers to bitter-tasting cabbage will dampen the bitter tastes and increase the sensation from the natural sugars.

Know More ›

Why does coleslaw go bad so quickly? ›

The more cut surface area a food item has, the more moist nooks and crannies there are for bacteria to thrive in. So when looking at a cookout staple like coleslaw, where the cabbage is shredded, there's plenty of opportunity for bacterial growth.

Find Out More ›

How to fix coleslaw that is too sweet? ›

If you accidentally add too much sugar to your coleslaw, you can balance out the sweetness with other ingredients. You can add red wine or distilled white vinegar to combat the sweetness. You can also add other ingredients like yogurt, lemon juice, or olive oil to diminish the sweetness of the coleslaw.

Why does coleslaw taste sweet? ›

The dressing is made with a blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, and spices, which gives it its distinctive flavor. The cabbage is finely chopped, so it has a crisp and refreshing texture. The carrots add a bit of sweetness and color to the coleslaw.

What neutralizes the taste of vinegar? ›

You can try adding more salt to balance out the sourness of the vinegar. The saltiness will help neutralize the acidity, reducing the vinegar taste. Additionally, enhancing other flavors such as sweetness or umami can help mask the vinegar taste.

Tell Me More ›

What to do if I added too much vinegar? ›

By adding more stock or increasing the other ingredients you can attempt to balance out the flavours to drown out the overpowering one. However, this is no good if you've only bought what you need. Your other option is to add an opposing flavour. If it's too spicy add something sweet or creamy for example.

Show Me More ›

Why does homemade coleslaw go watery? ›

Cabbage contains lots of water. Alton Brown suggests salting the cabbage and letting the water drain for two hours, then rinsing the cabbage and spinning it dry before dressing it. That purges the excess water out of the cabbage before it is dressed, so it doesn't get watery.

Read On ›

Should cabbage be salted before making coleslaw? ›

I was intrigued by the culinary curveballs Dolly includes in her version of the classic dish, like chopped dill pickles and sweet pickle juice. But I noticed that she skipped a simple step that I consider vital. For the crunchiest coleslaw, always salt the cabbage first.

Get More Info ›

Why is my coleslaw bland? ›

Pre-made dressing is not fine.

Coleslaw needs a lot of seasoning in order to taste good, and bottled dressing never quite gets the job done. Homemade dressing is dead simple and tastes better.

Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for salad dressing? ›

It's the most versatile vinegar and makes a good substitute for almost any other. Apple cider vinegar substitute: Your best apple cider vinegar 1:1 substitutes are rice wine vinegar, distilled white vinegar, or white wine vinegar.

Keep Reading ›

What can I use in place of vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Freshly squeezed lemon juice or pre-squeezed or bottled lemon juice can be an easy substitute for apple cider vinegar, especially for salad dressings and marinades, as lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are both fruity and acidic. Use a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice to apple cider vinegar.

Know More ›

Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar for pickling? ›

Apple cider vinegar made from fermented apple juice is a good choice for many pickles. It has a mellow, fruity flavor that blends well with spices. But it will darken most vegetables and fruits. Cider vinegar may be substituted for white vinegar of the same acidity.

Keep Reading ›

Why do you put apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

Whether your coleslaw is with or without mayonnaise, simple or chock-full of ingredients, a splash of this vinegar adds a welcome fruity and tangy note that's more balanced and not as sharp as other types of vinegar, like white or red wine vinegar.

Learn More Now ›

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe - Sweet and Tangy (2024)

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo)

Vinegar Coleslaw Ingredients

How to Make Vinegar Coleslaw - the Recipe Method

Recipe Notes & Tips

Serving Ideas

Storage & Leftovers

Serve Your Coleslaw With Some of These Popular Recipes

Try Some of My Other Popular Side Dishes

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe

Ingredients

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE / DRESSING

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition Information

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

Can you use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

What to do if I added too much vinegar? ›

References