Healthy Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo!) (2024)

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posted by Jessica Hylton on Aug 17, 2022 21 comments »

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5 (from 6 ratings)

This healthy coleslaw recipe is light, loaded with nutrients, and it’s full of fresh flavour and crunch. If you’re looking for a no-mayo coleslaw recipe that won’t let you down, this is it!

Healthy Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo!) (1)

I’ve never really been a huge coleslaw fan. It’s too creamy, too cloying, and I just feel like every bite is a million calories thanks to all that mayo. Not the worth-it calories like an amazing brownie, but the kind that you’re regretting with each bite.

This healthy coleslaw is a different story, though. It’s a no-mayo coleslaw tossed in a sweet-and-tangy dressing that brings out the best in all of the veggie ingredients.

And let’s talk about those veggies! I had kale, purple cabbage, and carrots in my fridge, so that’s what I used and it turned out fabulous. I mean, just look at the colors! These three vegetables bring lots of crunch and fresh flavour to the mix too, along with loads of vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants.

This healthy coleslaw recipe is that slaw. The slaw that goes well with everything. I’ve made this so many times and I’m actually resisting the temptation to make it againrightnow since the ingredients are in my fridge and it takesjust 5 minutes.

Healthy Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo!) (2)

Notes on Ingredients

Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.

  • Kale – You can use curly kale or lacinato.
  • Shredded carrots – Save yourself some prep time and buy them pre-shredded, or save some money and shred your own. It’s up to you!
  • Shredded purple/red cabbage
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Raw cane sugar – You can also substitute coconut sugar or simply use granulated sugar.
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil

How to Make Healthy Coleslaw

This healthy coleslaw takes just a few minutes to make if you use pre-shredded cabbage and carrots. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

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Prepare. Rinse, dry, and shred all of the vegetables.

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Combine. Add the veggies to a large mixing bowl, along with the remaining ingredients. Toss to coat, then season to taste.

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Rest. If you have the time, let the your coleslaw sit on the counter or in the fridge for up to an hour. This lets all of the flavours meld!

Tips for Success

Making healthy coleslaw with no mayo is easy, but these simple tips will help you make sure it turns out perfect:

  • Clean the kale well. Kale—especially the curly kind—can hide some grit in its leaves, so make sure you rinse it thoroughly.
  • Dry the vegetables. If water is still clinging to the veggies when you combine them, your dressing will be watered down and your coleslaw will be soggy.
  • Getting ahead on prep. Making this slaw for a party? I recommend preparing the veggies in advance (if you didn’t already buy them pre-shredded) and then making the coleslaw an hour before you plan on eating.
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Variations

There are so many ways to make this healthy coleslaw recipe your own. Here are some ideas:

  • Swap the apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar and add a splash of toasted sesame oil for a little Asian-inspired flair.
  • Add slivered almonds for some crunch.
  • Toss in some green onions for a more pungent flavour.
  • Switch up the veggies and try adding radishes, julienned broccoli stems, or shredded golden beets.
  • Add another texture—and some sweetness—by tossing in dried cranberries or raisins.
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Serving Suggestions

What I love most about this healthy coleslaw is how versatile it is. It goes from Tex-Mex to Asian dishes easy-peasy. Try it withCrispy Cauliflower Tacos,Quinoa Cauliflower Burgers,spring rolls,and even withenchiladas.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too:

|WHAT YOU’LL NEED// SHOP MY FAVORITEINGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS|

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Enjoy friends! If you make this healthy coleslaw recipe, please snap a photo and tag#jessicainthekitchenonInstagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!

Healthy Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo!) (10)

Healthy Coleslaw

Servings: 6 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

This no-mayo coleslaw recipe is crunchy, fresh, and it has an irresistibly tangy dressing—no mayo needed!

5 (from 6 ratings)

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded kale
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 2 cups shredded purple/red cabbage
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon raw cane sugar
  • sea salt and ground black pepper to season
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients for the slaw together. Use immediately, or ideally place in fridge or on counter up to an hour so all the flavours can marry together.

Notes

Store leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Calories: 89kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 95mg, Potassium: 326mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 9690IU, Vitamin C: 46mg, Calcium: 61mg, Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Cuisine: American

Course: Salads

Author: Jessica Hylton

Low Carb Recipes Salads Vegan Winter

published on Aug 17, 2022

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21 comments on “Healthy Coleslaw”

  1. Lena Reply

    I make this at least once a week. it’s delicious!!

    • Gavin | Jessica in the Kitchen Reply

      So happy to read this!

  2. Suman P Nair Reply

    Looks simple and easy and super yum. Will try it soon!!

    • Gavin | Jessica in the Kitchen Reply

      We really hope you like it Suman! Thank so much for reading.

Leave a comment »
Healthy Coleslaw Recipe (No Mayo!) (2024)

FAQs

Is coleslaw healthy for a diet? ›

Yes, coleslaw can be healthy! The base of coleslaw is shredded vegetables (traditionally cabbage), so inherently coleslaw is vitamin- and fiber-packed and good for you. The issue is the dressing. Most traditional creamy coleslaw dressing is made with high fat ingredients like mayo and has sugar added too.

What can I substitute for coleslaw? ›

7 Cabbage-Free Slaw Recipes
  • Green Bean Slaw. In this salad, tender haricots verts get tossed with crunchy strips of carrot, red pepper and parsnip.
  • Crunchy Broccoli Slaw. ...
  • Lemony Brussels Sprout Slaw. ...
  • Celery Slaw with Edamame. ...
  • Pickled Pepper Slaw. ...
  • Spicy Raw Beet Slaw with Citrus, Scallions and Arugula. ...
  • Peach-and-Fennel Slaw.
May 24, 2017

Is white vinegar better than apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

However, there is a best vinegar to use, and it's apple cider vinegar. The reason is threefold: taste, chemical makeup, and health benefits. Though there's no shortage of other types of vinegar, none has this ideal trifecta to best complement your cabbage and its other coleslaw vegetable ingredients.

How to make coleslaw jamie oliver? ›

Peel the onion and shallot, and slice as finely as you can, along with the cabbage, if using. Add these to the bowl of veg. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a lug of extra virgin olive oil, yoghurt and mustard. Pick the herb leaves and chop, then stir into the dressing.

Which is healthier potato salad or coleslaw? ›

While you're likely to put both these items on your picnic or barbecue plate in Bermuda, coleslaw is the better option. “Coleslaw is lower in fat and lower in sodium and has natural vegetables,” said Hannah Simpson, Clinical Dietitian at KEMH.

Which is healthier salad or coleslaw? ›

Classic coleslaw is full of shredded cabbage and carrots. The dressing, however, is made with mayonnaise and sugar. There is usually about ½ a cup of mayonnaise and usually a couple tablespoons of sugar. That adds up to more calories and more fat than you're probably looking for in a salad.

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 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 can I use instead of apple cider vinegar in coleslaw? ›

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

Why do people put vinegar in coleslaw? ›

It has a sweet-sour flavor that adds a little brightness to coleslaw dressings with and without mayo.

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

For 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, swap in 1 tablespoon of either lemon juice, lime juice, cider vinegar, or malt vinegar.

What is in Mary Brown's coleslaw? ›

Mary Brown's shreds fresh cabbage and carrots in house, and tops it with a creamy dressing. The freshly shredded veggies give you a light yet satisfying crunch while the dressing gives you the tanginess you're looking for.

How to make coleslaw mary berry? ›

Meanwhile, to make the coleslaw, measure the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and garlic into a large bowl. Mix and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the cabbage, carrots, celery and spring onions and toss to coat everything well. Spoon into a serving bowl.

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 is coleslaw so high in carbs? ›

Dressing Ingredients- The dressing used in coleslaw can vary, and some recipes may include ingredients that are higher in carbs. For example, if the dressing contains sugar, honey, or other sweeteners, it will increase the carb content. Using a sugar-free or low-carb alternative can help reduce the carb count.

Is coleslaw high in sugar? ›

And while coleslaw is mostly shredded vegetables, it also comes with an added serving of sugar. The mayonnaise is largely to blame. One tablespoon of a shop-bought coleslaw, roughly 50g, can contain up to 4g of sugar. A couple of spoonfuls on your plate is equivalent to a couple of teaspoons of sugar.

Is coleslaw high in sugar and carbs? ›

Coleslaw is a mixture of shredded cabbage and other vegetables, typically dressed with mayonnaise, vinegar, or a combination of both. While it is a healthy and nutritious side dish, coleslaw can also be high in carbohydrates and sugar, which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.

Is coleslaw one of your 5 a day? ›

For a healthier alternative, with only half the cholesterol-raising saturated fat (from the double cream), mash half an avocado and eat straight. Coleslaw: All that cabbage and carrot means 3.5 heaped tablespoons is equal to one of your daily five.

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