How to Make Coleslaw Dressing

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If you want to know how to make the the best Coleslaw Dressing, you’ve come to the right place! It’s creamy, tangy, lightly sweet, and hits that perfect balance that keeps you coming back for “just one more bite.” I love it because it comes together in minutes, uses pantry staples, and makes any bag of coleslaw mix taste like it came from a really good BBQ place. Plus, the longer it chills, the better it gets.

Ingredient Notes + Variations

This coleslaw dressing uses just a handful of everyday ingredients, but they each do their part to make it perfectly creamy and flavorful. Here’s what you need to know:

• Mayonnaise – Use real mayo for the base. It gives that classic creamy texture and flavor.
• White Distilled Vinegar – Brings the tang that keeps the dressing from tasting heavy.
• Sugar – A little sweetness balances out the vinegar.
• Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
• Black Pepper – Adds just enough bite to round everything out.

Click over to my classic coleslaw recipe to get my full coleslaw recipe (cabbage, onions, carrots, etc.), though if you’ve just bought a bag of coleslaw mix from the grocery store, that might not be necessary. BUT I will say, this dressing paired with the pre-shredded cabbage and shredded carrots plus a little diced onion is magical!

How to Make Coleslaw Dressing

This recipe couldn’t be easier. Mix everything together, pour it over coleslaw mix, and let the fridge do the magic. For full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Step 1: Combine all ingredients

Step 2: Toss with Coleslaw Mix

Step 3: Chill and Serve

Pro Tip: if you intend to serve it on the same day, you can add the homemade dressing as soon as it’s ready. It’s preferred to let the cabbage and the dressing exchange the flavors for a couple of hours in the refrigerator, but if you want your salad to be very crunchy, dress the salad (at the most) a half an hour before serving.

Tips for Success

• Chill at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
• Taste and adjust. Add more sugar if you like it sweeter, or extra vinegar for tang.
• Make it ahead! The flavors get even better after a few hours.
• Always toss again before serving to re-coat the cabbage.

What to Serve with Coleslaw

Coleslaw is the side dish that goes with everything. Try it with:

• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches – The tangy crunch cuts through the rich pork.
• Chicken Legs In Oven – A fresh sidekick to chicken.
• Apple Juice Smoked Ribs – Classic pairing. Enough said.
• Baked Tilapia Tacos – The crunch factor is everything here.
• Honey BBQ Chicken – Adds a cool, creamy balance.

Once you try this homemade coleslaw dressing, you’ll never grab a store-bought bottle again. It’s that simple and that good. The printable recipe is below. Have a great day, friends!

Variations

• Swap in apple cider vinegar for a slightly fruity tang.
• Add celery seed for a classic deli-style flavor.
• Stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard for a little kick.
• Use honey instead of sugar for a natural sweetness.

More Dressing Recipes to Try

• White Balsamic Maple Dressing
• Caprese Salad Dressing
• Avocado Mayo Salad Dressing
• Sandwich Dressing
• Pulled Pork BBQ Sauce Recipe 

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.