Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (2024)

Published: by Jen Wooster

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If you are a fan of old fashion coleslaw then this is the dressing for you. This vinegar coleslaw dressing is made without mayo and uses vinegar and sugar for the perfect sweet and tangy side dish.

Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (1)

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You can use this recipe with any bagged coleslaw mix or cut up your favorite veggies. You can even use this dressing recipe on broccoli or cauliflower slaw!

Vinegar-based coleslaw is great as a stand-alone BBQ side dish, but I love it on pulled pork sandwiches. It pairs perfectly with my sweet apricot BBQ sauce recipe.

Jump to:
  • 📖Why This Recipe Works
  • 🧾Ingredient Notes
  • 💭Variations
  • 🍲How to Make Vinegar Dressing for Coleslaw
  • 🌡️Storing Leftovers
  • ❤️More Amazing Side Dish Recipes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • ⭐Reviews

📖Why This Recipe Works

The flavor is perfectly balanced - not overly sweet or rich, just completely delicious!

The homemade vinegar dressing is warmed and poured over the veggies, resulting in the best texture. Once dressed, the coleslaw is chilled.

It's worth noting that this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free as written.

🧾Ingredient Notes

Vinegar: The star of the show! Distilled white vinegar is what I use, but other types of vinegar like red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used for a sweeter flavor.

Olive Oil: Although I prefer the taste of olive oil in this recipe, avocado oil can be used for a more neutral flavor.

Dijon Mustard: This ingredient adds a subtle hint of spice and complements the tangy vinegar perfectly. Try grainy mustard for a unique twist.

Sugar: A small amount of sugar is necessary to balance out the vinegar's flavor. You can also substitute honey.

Celery Seed- This under-appreciated spice adds a unique but refreshing flavor.

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (2)

💭Variations

  • Spicy: For those who love a kick of heat, try adding red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. Alternatively, give our spicy coleslaw with avocado dressing a try.
  • Creamy: To create a creamier version, add a spoonful of your favorite mayo to the dressing to make it mayo-based, or try a dollop of Greek yogurt to the cooled dressing.
  • Bright: Give the dressing an even tangier flavor by adding a splash of lemon juice or orange juice.

🍲How to Make Vinegar Dressing for Coleslaw

This dressing recipe is enough for approximately 6 to 8 cups of shredded or chopped vegetables.

Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (3)

Make the dressing in a saucepan by whisking together sugar, celery seed, dijon mustard, salt, ground pepper, vinegar, and olive oil.

Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (5)

Pour warm dressing over veggies and toss until coated.

Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (6)

Cover and chill for 2 hours or overnight. The dressing won't wilt veggies, just tenderize them.

When making coleslaw the key is to ensure that the vegetables are thinly sliced and uniformly sized.

🌡️Storing Leftovers

The coleslaw should be covered and stored in the fridge for at least two hours. Store any leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I don't recommend freezing.

I do not recommend making this recipe in advance

❤️More Amazing Side Dish Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best vegetables to use for coleslaw?

Traditional coleslaw uses cabbage (any type of red cabbage, green cabbage, or napa cabbage), carrots, and onions (sweet or red). But you can get creative and add radishes, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, or even brussels sprouts.

📖 Recipe Card

Vinegar Dressing for Coleslaw

This old fashion vinegar dressing recipe can be used over your favorite slaw mix. Perfect for anyone who prefers coleslaw without mayonnaise.

Servings: 8

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Chill Time 2 hours hrs

Total: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

5 from 7 votes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan whisk together all the dressing ingredients except the oil. Bring the mixture to a low simmer. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Bring to a boil and cook for one minute.

    ⅓ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon celery seeds, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅓ cup distilled vinegar, ⅓ cup olive oil

  • Pour the hot dressing over your preferred slaw mixture (6 to 8 cups). Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

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Notes

  • This recipe is for 6 cups of sliced cabbage or your preferred coleslaw mix.

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbs: 8g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 8g

Author: Jen Wooster

Course:: Salad Dressing

Cuisine: American, BBQ, Southern

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Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing- Coleslaw Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

Should I use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for 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.

How do you make Gordon Ramsay homemade coleslaw? ›

In a bowl mix together 2 Tbs vinegar, juice of half lemon, 3 Tbs mayonnaise, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt and pepper and mix well. Add the dressing into the cabbage and mix well. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving as a healthy side dish to your burger!

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of white vinegar for coleslaw? ›

Which vinegar do you use for coleslaw? I'd recommend a white wine vinegar or white malt vinegar for green cabbage or red wine/ balsamic for red cabbage. Green cabbage is the king in my opinion and deserves a good white vinegar dressing.

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

KFC coleslaw has a sweet and tangy taste, with a creamy texture. The dressing is made with a blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, and spices, which gives it its distinct flavor. The coleslaw also contains shredded cabbage and carrots, which add a crisp and fresh texture to the dish.

What are the ingredients in Hidden Valley coleslaw dressing? ›

Ingredients. Vegetable Oil (Soybean and/or Canola), Water, Sugar, Egg Yolk, Less than 2% of: Spices, Natural Flavors, Vinegar, Lemon Juice (Water, Lemon Juice Concentrate), Xanthan Gum, Salt, Sorbic Acid and Calcium Disodium EDTA Added to Preserve Freshness.

Why do people put 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.

Why do you put vinegar in coleslaw? ›

An equal amount of vinegar and sugar gives this slaw a tangy and sweet character. Celery seeds add a light celery flavor and some pleasing texture.

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.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

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.

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.

Which vinegar is best for salad dressing? ›

Red wine vinegar

Sometimes just called red vinegar, this vinegar is a byproduct of fermented red wine. It has a sharp tang and a relatively strong flavor profile, making it a good choice for more robust salads as well as meat marinades.

What is a substitute for apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

White wine vinegar offers a relatively neutral flavor that lacks the subtle fruitiness of apple cider vinegar. Add ¼ teaspoon of citrus fruit juice for every tablespoon of white wine vinegar used to mimic the fruitiness for vinaigrettes and salad dressings. Use a 1:1 ratio of white wine vinegar to apple cider vinegar.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

If you can't find white you can use regular balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Dijon Mustard. You can switch up your mustard for a variety of flavor.

Is coleslaw made of mayo? ›

Homemade coleslaw dressing: Made with mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, and celery seeds.

What is creamy coleslaw made of? ›

Julienne cabbage and carrots using a mandoline (<- affiliate link). Place in a large bowl. Add in mayonnaise, sour cream, white wine vinegar, salt, sugar, mustard powder and white pepper. Stir everything together until thoroughly combined.

What are the ingredients in shop bought coleslaw? ›

Ingredients. INGREDIENTS: Cabbage, Carrot, Mayonnaise Dressing (15%) [Rapeseed Oil, Water, Spirit Vinegar, Sugar, Pasteurised Egg Yolk, Salt, White Wine Vinegar, Stabilisers (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum), Concentrated Lemon Juice, Mustard Flour, Brown Mustard Seed], Onion.

What is in store bought coleslaw? ›

Ingredients: VEGETABLES: GREEN CABBAGE, RED CABBAGE, CARROTS; DRESSING: SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, WHITE WINE VINEGAR, CANOLA OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SALT, EGG YOLK, EGG WHITES, DRIED ONION, GROUND MUSTARD, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, DRIED GARLIC, PAPRIKA (COLOR).

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