Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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by Marcie //June 19, 2023 (updated 3/4/24)

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This Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe is everything you love about coleslaw with no mayo! It’s crunchy, addictive and tossed in a tangy, flavorful coleslaw vinaigrette. It can be prepped entirely in advance and it’s a healthy side dish that everyone will love!

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (1)

I’m all about summer side dishes and may even like them more than the main dish. While I love hearty sides like orzo pasta salad and southern caviar, coleslaws are my all time favorite because of the crunchy texture.

My classic coleslaw and broccoli slaw recipes are tossed with my tried and true creamy coleslaw dressing, and have been staples for years.

I truly enjoy them, but I’m a huge fan of tangy vinegar based coleslaws as well. This Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe is crunchy and addictive with a zesty dressing and no mayo in sight.

It’s a fresh take on slaw that will win everyone over, and it’s amazing with grilled meats, burgers, pulled pork or whatever you may be serving.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2)

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • This vinegar coleslaw recipe is a crunchy blend of cabbage, carrot and green onion and it’s tossed with a zesty coleslaw vinaigrette.
  • It’s a healthy side dish that’s perfect for barbecues, picnics and even game day.
  • This coleslaw with no mayo is low carb, gluten-free and vegan.
  • Most of the prep may be done in advance making slaw assembly a breeze.

Vinegar slaw recipe ingredients

This vinegar based coleslaw recipe includes many ingredients that are customizable as outlined in the ingredient notes below.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (3)

Ingredient notes

  • Cabbage. This no mayo coleslaw includes 1/2 head of green cabbage and 1/2 head of purple cabbage, which yields roughly 6 cups of thinly sliced cabbage. See my cabbage produce guide for instructions on how to cut it, and find useful ways to use any leftovers. You can also purchase pre-shredded cabbage blends as a time saver if you prefer.
  • Carrot. Grate one large carrot to add a nice pop of color and flavor to the cabbage.
  • Green onions. Green onions add freshness as well as savory flavor. You can substitute it with red onion if you prefer. If you’re following a Low FODMAP diet, use just the green tops of the green onions or sub with chives.
  • Apple cider vinegar. This is my vinegar of choice for its tangy flavor and health benefits. It may be substituted with white vinegar as well.
  • Oil. Olive oil works well here, or use what you have on hand.
  • Maple syrup. Sweetness from the maple syrup balances out the tangy flavor of the vinegar and the savory flavor of the mustard. It may be substituted with honey, or you can omit it altogether to make this recipe Whole30 or keto.
  • Grainy mustard. This is the secret ingredient in the coleslaw vinaigrette. It adds savory depth of flavor, also known as umami, and it also acts as an emulsifier. It may be substituted with dijon mustard, which oftentimes has a stronger flavor. If using dijon, start with one tablespoon and add more as needed.
  • Celery seeds. These are seeds from wild celery and add a bit of celery flavor to the dressing, as well as savory, earthy flavor. This ingredient is completely optional.

How to make no mayo coleslaw

This no mayo coleslaw recipe comes together very quickly. Simply prep the vegetables and the dressing, and toss it all together.

Pro tip: Prep the cabbage and coleslaw vinaigrette up to a few days in advance. You can also purchase (2) 16 ounce packages of your favorite coleslaw blend to save time!

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (4)
  1. Place the vinegar, oil, maple syrup, mustard, celery seeds, salt and pepper in a jar.
  2. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until emulsified.
  3. Place the cabbage, carrot and green onions in a large bowl.
  4. Add the desired amount of dressing and toss well to coat.
Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (5)

FAQs

Is vinegar coleslaw healthy?

This vinegar based coleslaw recipe is lower in fat and calories than mayo based coleslaws. It is also low in carbs and is a good source of Vitamin A, potassium and fiber.

The coleslaw vinaigrette includes some maple syrup for sweetness, but it may be scaled back or omitted altogether to make this recipe low in sugar or sugar free.

Can you use regular vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw?

Apple cider vinegar is a great choice for coleslaw dressing as it adds a ton of flavor. Choose apple cider vinegar with the mother for additional health benefits as well.

It may be substituted with white vinegar or white balsamic.

How long does vinegar coleslaw last?

This apple cider vinegar coleslaw will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the cabbage will soften over time.

Serving suggestions

This vinegar based coleslaw recipe is extremely versatile. Below are some delicious ways to serve it!

  • It’s great served with grilled meats such as grilled tomahawk steak, grilled burgers or grilled bbq chicken. It’s also incredible alongside Instant Pot ribs!
  • Serve with air fryer chicken breast or air fryer pork chops on busy weeknights.
  • It’s a great game day side dish served with Instant pot chicken wings, air fryer meatballs and air fryer sweet potato fries.
  • It’s the perfect topper for sandwiches with bbq pulled chicken or Instant pot pulled pork.
  • Customize this salad with your favorite add-in’s such as dried fruit, apples, chopped veggies and herbs, or nuts and seeds.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Prep the cabbage and coleslaw vinaigrette up to a few days in advance. You can also purchase (2) 16 ounce packages of your favorite coleslaw blend to save time!
  • For best results, don’t toss the slaw in the coleslaw vinaigrette more than one hour before serving as it will lose some of its crunchy texture.
  • See cabbage produce guide for instructions on how to cut it, and find useful ways to use any leftovers.
  • Store leftover vinegar coleslaw in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (6)

More healthy side dishes you’ll love:

  • Fennel and apple slaw
  • Kale slaw
  • Mexican coleslaw by The Kitchen Magpie
  • Napa cabbage salad
  • Shaved brussels sprout salad
  • Vegan coleslaw

Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (7)

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe

Servings: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 0 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

This Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe is crunchy blend of cabbage, carrots and green onions and it's tossed in a tangy coleslaw vinaigrette. It's a healthy side dish that can be prepped entirely in advance!

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 head green cabbage thinly sliced; about 4 cups
  • 1/2 head purple cabbage thinly sliced; about 2 cups
  • 1 large carrot grated
  • 3 green onions sliced thinly on the bias; use only dark green parts for Low FODMAP
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup sub with honey
  • 1.5 tablespoons grainy mustard sub with dijon, using only 1 tablespoon if very strong in flavor
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Place the cabbage, carrot and green onions in a large bowl and set aside.

    1/2 head green cabbage, 1/2 head purple cabbage, 1 large carrot, 3 green onions

  • Place the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, grainy mustard, celery seeds, salt and pepper in a jar. Secure the lid and shake well until emulsified.

    1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup, 1.5 tablespoons grainy mustard, 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • Pour the desired amount of dressing over the coleslaw and toss until well coated (you may not need all the dressing). Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Pro tip: Prep the cabbage and coleslaw vinaigrette up to a few days in advance. You can also purchase (2) 16 ounce packages of your favorite coleslaw blend to save time!
  • For best results, don’t toss the slaw in the coleslaw vinaigrette more than one hour before serving as it will lose some of its crunchy texture.
  • See cabbage produce guide for instructions on how to cut it, and find useful ways to use any leftovers.
  • Store leftover vinegar coleslaw in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 96kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 209mg, Potassium: 286mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 2192IU, Vitamin C: 52mg, Calcium: 62mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Author: Marcie

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

All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

posted in: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Low FODMAP, Paleo, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian, Winter // 4 comments

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    4 Comments on “Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe”

  1. John Cunningham Reply

    Try this option, Omit the Olive oil.
    Chop 1 pound slightly frozen bacon. Render and fry bacon in fry Pan with one cup water. Drain bacon. Return bacon and 3 tbsp of drippings to Pan. Add all other dressing ingredients and warm. Toss with cabbage and serve warm.

    • Marcie Reply

      Everything is better with bacon. 🙂

  2. Sheryl Reply

    Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (8)
    Love vinegar dressing on cabbage slaw. Thank you for sharing your recipe!

    • Marcie Reply

      You’re welcome and I hope you enjoy it!

Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which is better for coleslaw, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

Apple cider vinegar: use apple cider vinegar to add that tangy delicious flavor found in coleslaw recipes. It's also great for gut health! Pure maple syrup: instead of using granulated sugar like in traditional coleslaw recipes, we're just using a bit of pure maple syrup to lightly sweeten the coleslaw.

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw vinegar? ›

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, apple cider vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, celery seeds, salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper. Serve with about 8 cups cabbage coleslaw mix.

What is amish coleslaw made of? ›

Made with shredded cabbage, onion, apple cider vinegar, and dry mustard. This is the perfect quick Side Dish that you can bring along to BBQs, potlucks, and family gatherings.

How long does vinegar coleslaw last in the fridge? ›

Store leftover coleslaw in the fridge in an airtight container, preferably storing the dressing and the veggies separately to prevent the coleslaw from getting too soggy. Leftover shredded veggies will last for 3-5 days in the fridge. And the vinegar dressing can last for up to 2 weeks.

What can I use instead of apple cider vinegar for coleslaw? ›

Distilled white vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar. Lemon Juice.

Which is stronger white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

White vinegar is stronger than apple cider with a higher percentage of acetic acid. Reach for apple cider vinegar when you want to add flavor to salad dressings and sauces. Choose distilled white vinegar when you want to pickle foods or add acidity without imparting any extra flavors.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

Fresh ingredients are key to a good slaw, and KFC does alright for a fast food restaurant. You won't find any wilted cabbage pieces, and the carrots are nice and hard as well. What's more, KFC finely dices everything so you don't have to chew that much, and all the flavors and textures blend perfectly.

Why does my 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.

What is traditional coleslaw made of? ›

What is traditional coleslaw made of? Traditional coleslaw is little more than shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing. This recipe adds a bit more flavor with shredded carrots and onion. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sugar, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, for a just right tangy-sweet flavor.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

If you're in the mood for something creamy, sweet, and tangy, coleslaw is an excellent option. Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing.

Why did Chick Fil A stop selling coleslaw? ›

"But as our sales volumes grew, it just wasn't feasible to keep adding to the menu without taking anything away." Chick-fil-A cut cole slaw from the menu in January to make room for a new "superfood" side of kale and broccolini in a maple vinaigrette dressing.

What's the difference between coleslaw and slaw? ›

The real difference is that the raw, chopped vegetables in coleslaw are primarily cabbage: Napa, red, savoy, or bok choy. Slaw without the cole can feature any crunchy veggie in place of cabbage, including chopped or shredded broccoli, carrots, snow peas, jicama, and more.

Is vinegar coleslaw good for you? ›

Although vinegar cole slaw does have some nutritional drawbacks, it is rich in at least one vitamin. A cup of this food provides 27 percent of the daily suggested intake of vitamin C but just 1 percent of the daily suggested intake of vitamin A.

What makes coleslaw go bad? ›

Presence of Bacteria and Spoilage

Bacterial presence is an inevitable aspect of food spoilage. Coleslaw, especially when made with mayonnaise, provides a medium for bacteria to thrive. Proper storage conditions, such as keeping the salad refrigerated and airtight, can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Can you eat coleslaw 5 days out of date? ›

Assuming that you're storing your coleslaw in the refrigerator — and haven't taken it out for a stretch of time and put it back in — coleslaw can safely last up to five days. However, it's important to remember that this is the maximum amount of time it should be kept.

Is white vinegar better than apple cider vinegar for pickles? ›

Because apple cider vinegar is made from apples rather than barley, corn rice or wine, it gives pickles a mellower taste. Using a white distilled vinegar, for example, will create a harsher flavour. But as well as being gentler on your palate, using apple cider vinegar also adds health benefits to pickles.

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

That lightly sour note — plus the remaining sweetness of the apple — gives apple cider vinegar an extremely balanced taste that is tangy but not overwhelming. That balanced, multifaceted flavor lends itself well to all different types of coleslaw.

Can I 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.

Does apple cider vinegar help with bad cold? ›

Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Symptom Relief

Apple cider vinegar can also provide relief from the unpleasant symptoms that often accompany colds and flu. Gargling with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water can soothe a sore throat by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria.

References

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