I don’t know about you, but I have a real addiction to the superfood underdog AKA red cabbage. I’m not sure when the cabbage obsession really started (maybe it was from this salad) but now I’m basically convinced that cabbage needs to be in EVERYTHING. Including this epic healthy coleslaw recipe.
Both red and green cabbages help promote a healthy gut (which is what we’re all about these days), fight inflammation, boost your immunity, and contain plenty of nutrients your body needs. CABBAGE PATCH PARTY.
Wait wut.
My favorite thing about cabbage isn’t just the nutrition though. It’s the epic CRUNCH it gives salads and slaws. It’s addicting and I can’t stop putting it in recipes.
Is coleslaw healthy?
While coleslaw is really just made up of a bunch of crunchy, colorful vegetables, traditional coleslaw recipes are usually covered in dressings made up of mayo and sugar. In this healthy, paleo coleslaw recipe we’re skipping the mayo entirely and tossing all of the gorgeous veggies with a tangy, slightly sweet dressing made with apple cider vinegar and simple ingredients to keep the coleslaw vegan and dairy free.
Fun fact: I loved coleslaw as a little girl. I’d ask for big bowls of it with lots of black pepper. Dad made a homemade version with lots of mayo. This version isn’t Dad’s but IT IS for all you millennials. Heh.
Ingredients in healthy coleslaw
This incredible healthy coleslaw recipe uses fresh ingredients to create a crunchy, bright gut-friendly coleslaw without mayo or sugar. It isn’t your typical coleslaw. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and better than that soggy white coleslaw they serve at restaurants. You’ll need:
- Produce: I love using both red and green cabbage for extra crunch and a variety of flavors. Then we’re also adding shredded carrots, jalapeño for a kick of heat, green onion for a little zippiness, and fresh cilantro.
- Nuts: I like to add both pepitas (which are roasted pumpkin seeds) and toasted sliced almonds for a wonderful extra crunch with all of the veggies.
- Olive oil: a bit of olive oil will help the “dressing” coat all of those gorgeous veggies in the coleslaw.
- 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. Feel free to adjust depending on how sweet you like it.
- Garlic: a little garlicky flavor makes this healthy coleslaw extra delicious.
- Cayenne pepper: add a pinch of cayenne for a little extra heat, or feel free to omit.
- Salt & pepper: to bring all of the flavors together.
The best healthy coleslaw in 4 easy steps
- Add all of the coleslaw ingredients to a large bowl except for the pepitas, almonds and dressing.
- In a smaller bowl, add your dressing ingredients and whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the coleslaw and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if need be. Place the coleslaw in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let the flavors marinate.
- Before serving, add in the pepitas and toasted almonds and toss to combine.
Storing tips
Store this easy, healthy coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This is an amazing make-ahead recipe for picnics and BBQs because the flavors deepen as the coleslaw marinates!
Recipes to pair with this healthy coleslaw
- Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
- Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers
- Grilled Jalapeño Cilantro Chicken
- Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
- Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing
More delicious side dishes
- Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad
- Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese & Hot Honey Vinaigrette
- How to Grill Delicious Vegetables (4 different ways!)
- Tony’s Melt-In-Your-Mouth Grilled Brussels Sprouts
- Caramelized Garlic Carrots with Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
Get all of my side dish recipes here!
If you make this healthy coleslaw recipe, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram. We’d also love if you would leave a comment below and rate the recipe. We appreciate you! xo.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!)
Ingredients
- For the slaw:
- 1/2 medium head of purple cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups shredded cabbage)
- 1/2 medium head of green cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups shredded cabbage)
- 2 heaping cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 cup green onion (green part only)
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, depending how sweet you like your slaw
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the slaw except for the almonds and pepitas to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing. Pour all over the slaw and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Cover and place in fridge for at least an hour to allow flavors to marinate together.
- Before serving, sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds and pepitas; toss again and serve.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on May 18th, 2020, and republished on May 25th, 2023.
This looks perfect. I am one of those people who hates mayo so this is great for me! Will make for my next cook out for sure!
I tried your thai quinoa salad and it was amazing! I still have half of purple cabbage and carrots at home, so I’ll be making this! Thanks Monique!!
Exactly what I was looking for – SOOO GOOD!
I am loving that tangy dressing!
It’s amazing!
I may be alone here, but gloppy coleslaw is so not for me. Love this as an alternative … and that color is gorgeous!
You’re not alone! This one is super fresh – you’ll have to give it a try!
Yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE red cabbage! I find it interesting that it’s called red cabbage when it’s clearly purple, and it exudes a blue hue after you heat it! But regardless, this healthy coleslaw looks so perfect yet it seems so easy to whip up. Sesame seeds and a little bit of sesame oil and soy sauce with red cabbage is the PERFECT combination. I love it!
It’s the BEST! And the sesame sounds delicious with red cabbage 🙂
I had the most amazing coleslaw over Memorial Day…and I was thinking I need to try making it myself at home! Perfect timing 🙂
Absolutely! It’s super easy and delicious 🙂
Love cabbage in your salads! Looking forward to more recipes with it!
I’m not good on distinguishing between small and medium heads of cabbage. About how many cups of the red cabbage did you get from your medium head? Thanks!
Isn’t it the best?! So crunchy! I think it was about 6 cups or so.
Thank you!
I made this yesterday, and it was great! I used about 6 cups of chopped cabbage, which weighed about a pound. I toasted slivered almonds and pepitas. Delicious!
Love it!!
Made this three times now and cannot say enough about how great this and all the recipes of yours I’ve tried are – I am a fan for life. Thanks for all the great food.
So happy to hear that!! Love this fresh one for summer. Thanks for loving AK!
Though colorful, this was way too much work, and almost no flavor! 😟
Will not be making this again!
I’m sorry you felt that way! I’ve always found this to be super fresh, flavorful and a little spicy. If you do give it another try, you could always use pre-shredded veggies and add some extra dressing.
Just made it tonight! Love it!
How long would it last in the fridge?
This will last about 3-5 days in the fridge!
Made your non-mayo healthy coleslaw for a cookout last night. All 6 had big serving and/or seconds! Even my non-veggie eater liked it! It took a while to cut/ shred everything but way worth! Next time I can buy pre-shredded to save some time.
So happy to hear that Lisa! And yes – pre-shredded makes it much easier 😉 but definitely worth it regardless!
Oh my! I made this for my lunches at work to have with some chicken for the next few days- oh my goodness it tastes amazing!!! So happy! The best coslaw ever!!!!
Perfect!! Love that idea 🙂
Hi, I want this for a group. What is the serving size (I.e. 1/4 cup) Thanks!
Hi! It’s about 1 cup. Enjoy!
Because of the sweet versus “kick” competing flavors in this recipe I am now adding healthy pretty purple red cabbage to my diet! Took me a few servings before it grew on me and I decided I liked it. Thanks for another wonderful recipe! (From a very picky veggie eater!)
Happy to hear that Mary! Great way to get extra veggies in 🙂
I was wondering if the apple cider biggest taste is very strong. As much as I wish I liked it, I just can’t get used to apple cider vinegar. Do you think red wine vinegar would be a good substitution? I’m struggling with fatty liver disease and I need to eat a lot more of the cruciferous veggies and healthy fats. So this recipe looks perfect. I am a traditional coleslaw lover (but also a millennial lol!) So I love new healthy twists on recipes too, I can’t wait to try this!
The apple cider vinegar isn’t a very strong taste in this one, but you can use red wine vinegar if you’d like! Enjoy 🙂
Like you I’m not a fan of apple cider vinegar I’ve tried to take tspns for the benefit and it makes me gag…BUT I never taste that “taste” in this dressing, and I’ve made a few versions of this 🙂
Ahh this is amazing. So glad you are loving this recipe ❤️
I would never spend this much time measuring, dicing, mincing, chopping and tossing on a weeknight. I used a bag of Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch (a mix of shredded cruciferous veggies), raw pepitas that I microwaved a minute and a half, and for the dressing only the easy to measure stuff: olive oil, maple syrup (actually the Trader Joe’s maple agave blend), and apple cider vinegar. And a little salt and pepper. No doubt I changed the spicy character of the recipe, but it was delicious all the same.
That works too! I like having all of the fresh ingredients in my fridge to use for this recipe and others 🙂
Coleslaw with a kick! Love it!!! I just made this and it is already a favorite for my husband and myself!
Glad you both love it!!
Can you reduce the calories by eliminating the maple syrup? Will it still be flavourful?
You can but the dressing will be more bitter. Feel free to taste and adjust to your liking!
its* green counterpart
“it’s” means “it is”
This was a huge hit. Fresh, crunchy and tasty. Used some green cabbage too as I find it soften’s up quicker and the purple holds the crunch for a nice combo. Will be going into the regular rotation! Thanks!
Perfect! So glad you loved it. Great for spring & summer 🙂
I am not a sophisticated cook. This recipe was straightforward and the dish was easy to make. My husband and I think it’s fantastic and very healthy. Thanks much!
So glad you found this one! Perfect for spring & summer 🙂
Looking forward to trying this – thank you.
Enjoy! 🙂
Just made this..didn’t have red cabbage so substituted green ..still a beautiful and delicious cole slaw! Thanks for this great recipe!🤗❤️
I’m so glad you liked it, Cat!
Wow! Made without scallions and with green instead of purple cabbage. Delicious! Loved this alternative to mayo-laden cole slaw, and it was fantastic even though I didn’t have time to let the flavors sit and meld! Thanks! Will be making this again!
So so happy you loved this recipe. Great idea on the scallions too!
this is delicious! I think this will be a summer staple in my fridge. I have a box of golden raisins I need to use up and will try tossing some into my leftovers. I have a food processor and used it to shred the cabbage and carrots. It was done in less than five minutes. I highly recommend a food processor if you eat lots of veggies like this. Thank you!
Perfect for summer! And great tip about the food processor – love that.
So delicious – maybe even better the next day!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
I have noticed a lot of American recipes only use the green part of scallions, is there a reason for this?
The green part is milder in taste, so I like to use just that part if it’s raw in recipes. If I’m using the white part, I typically like to cook it 🙂
I loved this slaw! I used the TJ’s cruciferous crunch, and it turned out delicous. I added it to tacos – with butternut squash and pickled onions. I will be making this again for sure!
Love that! Great idea to add to tacos – YUM.
I’m not a big fan of mayo, therefore not a fan of regular coleslaw, so I searched non-dairy recipes for slaw and this was AWESOME!! My boyfriend and I have been chowing on it, I even have it in the morning! lol I told him we could also probably add tiny pieces of broccoli and/or cauliflower for some added veggies sometime! I also ended up making another batch of the dressing to throw on it.
Perfect! I’m glad you found this recipe – great idea to add some more crunchy veggies to it, too!
I do not like mayo and it does not like me. Pulled Pork on Traeger today so this is great to serve with it. I went with sesame oil and apple cider vinegar.
This is the perfect recipe for you! Sounds great with pulled pork.
We love this recipe! I leave out jalapeños and cayenne and leave out the pepitas; our whole family loves it.
Perfect! So happy to hear that.
This recipe is sooooo good! Being new to clean eating has been a bit of a challenge, especially since I have practically cut out sugar, processed carbs (and all processed foods!), and dairy. Needing a change of “food scenery”, I was lucky enough to come across your website. This slaw is amazing! Crunchy, healthy, tasty with the perfect amount of dressing, and super colorful. This would be a great side dish for any occassion, and it’s easy! Thank you!
I’m so glad you loved this one! Perfect side dish 🙂 I hope you find more recipes here that you love, too!
My current go to salad! It stays good for several days and just seems to get better with time!
Love that! Such a great lunch.
Love this!!! I didn’t have jalapeños so I used green pepper and it turned out great! Better than going out to eat —for pennies. More healthy salads please.
Perfect! More healthy salads to come this year 🙂
Best cabbage salad EVER!!!
My favorite coleslaw too! Glad you enjoyed!
Tasty. Really tasty. The maple syrup is brilliant. I used a serrano Chile because I like the flavor better. Keeper recipe.
Perfect! Such a great side dish.
So tasty, can’t stop eating it and don’t feel guilty at all
One of my favorite sides!
I loved this slaw salad. I added some Granny Smith apple and it was outstanding! Thanks
Hi, The recipe is pretty good except for the amount of oil. You can reduce that by half or more.
Hi! Feel free to adjust as-needed 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
Just made this slaw for chicken tacos tonight! So excited to eat with some Queso Fresco and sour cream…delicious by itself, though! Thanks, Monique!
Perfect! Sounds like an amazing combo 🙂
How long will this last in the fridge?
It should last about 3-5 days in the fridge 🙂
I appreciate the low carb/low sugar approach!
A great twist on traditional coleslaw! 🙂
I RARELY comment on Recipes but this recipe is worth leaving a review! My friend introduced me to this recipe and I LOVE it!!
Thank you so much for this delicious, healthy recipe!!! Everything from the crunch of the combo of cabbage, carrots to the heat from the jalapeño to the slightly sweet and tangy dressing is perfection!
I Made a video of me making it and am sharing this recipe on my Facebook Cooking Group! Can’t wait for others to try it too! ♥️
I’m so glad you loved this one! One of my go-to’s 🙂
This was fantastic! I made it without cilantro for my wife who has the “cilantro = soap” taste buds. I also didn’t have a jalapeño but did have a whole bag of serranos so used one Serrano instead. It added some nice spice and I might even do two next time. This will be a go-to staple for BBQ / cookouts when the world finally returns to normal and we can do those again!
Perfect! This one’s great for adjusting 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
This is delicious! Thanks for a yummy, healthy recipe!
Absolutely! Glad you loved it!
I can’t wait to try these recipes. They are exactly what I’m looking for to add to my collection.
I hope you find new ones you love!
I made the dressing for this recipe and added it to a bag of pre-chopped slaw. It was delicious!!!!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
I have enjoyed a lot of creamy coleslaw recipes, but this may-free version may be my favorite yet. And the flavor simply gets better with time! I used it as a topping for some pork carnitas and it was delicious. I will definitely make it again just to eat as a side with another summer meal. Delightful!
Amazing! So glad you loved it!
I made this salad yesterday as a side dish and it became an instant hit with everyone. I did not have green cabbage, so omitted it, but all other ingredients were the same. I will definitely make this again.
Perfect! So happy to hear that!
I was in a hurry so used a bag of coleslaw from the grocery store. The dressing is great! Next time I might do one less TBSP of oil. I didn’t toast the pepitas. I left out the jalapeño, cilantro and almonds and it was still very good! My kids really liked it!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
Great recipe, just added some Granny Smith apples. It went beautifully with boneless spare ribs and homemade baked beans! A perfect summer meal!
Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed!
Loved this! added a splash more AVC cause why not!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
This coleslaw is absolutely delicious, and is my new favorite recipe! Only variation was that I added finely diced fresh jalapeño because I love the extra kick.
Amazing! Glad you love it 🙂
Good idea but it’s more of a Thai salad or Korean salad than coleslaw isn’t it?
I treat it just like a coleslaw but you can enjoy it as a salad if you want!
Easy and delicious. Added slices of mango for a tropical coleslaw to go with jerk chicken and rice and beans.
Love that idea! Sounds delicious 🙂
Very easy to make, colorful feast for your eyes, and an explosion of flavor in your mouth. I, too, would rather eat cole slaw without mayo. I have been making another similar recipe, but I like this one because of the added cilantro, cayenne, seeds and jalapeno. Thank you for sharing. Delicious!!!!
I found the slaw a little flat without the jalapeño, which I removed because I was serving to children. I may have shredded too many vegetables, so I did 1.5x for the sauce. That seemed to help, but I could tell it was still not quite right. To augment, I added a little more salt and supplemented with the juice from half of a lime. Took it from pretty good to really tasty.
I’m glad the extra salt + lime juice helped out!
First, I’m a big fan of mayo coleslaw but always looking out for a healthier recipe. I’ve tried other variations but wasn’t impressed until now. This recipe is absolutely delicious! It went great a great with our fish tacos!
So happy you found this one! Fresh and delicious 🙂
Wow this is amazing! I found that it came together rather quickly, I didn’t think there was too much chopping, but then again I cook every meal from scratch so I’m use to it. I believe it took me 5-8 minutes to assemble everything. At first I almost added more ACV because I wanted more tang, but after letting it sit for a few minutes the flavors blended quite well. Will be making this again!
Perfect! So glad you enjoyed!
The BEST slaw ever!! I use all red cabbage because it’s my favorite. The dressing is soo good with a little spice. And the toasted almonds add the best flavor and crunch. I like to double the recipe because once I start eating it I can’t stop and I want it to last a couple days!!
So delicious! Used pre-shredded bags of cabbage I got at Trader Joe’s which made this recipe even easier! Leftovers were amazing the next day too. I’ll be adding this to my dinner rotation!
So easy! Glad you enjoyed!
Wow!! This dressing was absolutely delicious. I’m a southerner, so I’ve been a coleslaw purist my whole life. But I wanted to find a healthier alternative. This won my heart!
Amazing! So glad you gave this one a try!
Thank you for this recipe. I was eating it before it had a chance to marinate. My bad! I didn’t use a Jalapeño because I was afraid it might be too much heat for me, but I did put the cayenne pepper in. This is a really good coleslaw recipe. Hopefully, COVID will be moving on and I will have a chance once again to cook for my many friends. This will be on the menu.
So glad you enjoyed! Perfect freshness 🙂
I have made this a couple times for family, and every time has been a hit! A tasty twist on a cole slaw!
So happy to hear that!
Delicious. Great recipe.
We didn’t have green cabbage, pepitas or jalapeños and it turned out amazing still. The toasted almonds are what put this recipe over the top so don’t leave those out. Instead of using extra virgin olive oil we used avocado oil because we prefer a milder flavoured oil.
I made this today, super delicious but I added some apples and raisins too!!
Sounds amazing! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Good low sugar coleslaw! I recommend doubling the dressing for this quantity of veggies
Glad you enjoyed!
We don’t particularly care for mayo based slaws at my house so this is a winner! So light and refreshing. We add a ton more vinegar because we love vinegar but it’s great as is
I highly recommend this coleslaw dressing. It strikes a great balance between sweet and tangy… the result is a really refreshing flavour if that makes sense! Mayo-based dressings are sometimes just too heavy and sweet for me, so this recipe has become my go-to.
So yummy and packed with veggies that are so good for your gut health!!!
I love this coleslaw, it’s so great to have a delicious recipe that has no Mayo!
This is dank! I use it for bbq fusion tacos!
Love that!!
This was really tasty. All of my guests loved it! The dressing was really good.
Great dressing.
Love it!
Delicious!
Glad you enjoyed!
Looks wonderful!
Perfect for summer!
I plan on making this for a Mother’s Day cookout and know that it will be delicious as I am a huge fan of Ambitious Kitchen recipes! Unfortunately, my mother does not like Cilantro…would you recommend just omitting or do you think parsley or another fresh herb would make a good substitute? Thank you!
Hi! Next time feel free to just omit or swap in parsley.
I decided to go with swapping in parsley and it was absolutely delicious, a big hit with everyone.
Perfect! I’m glad that worked out well 🙂
This is a great recipe! Love the addition of almonds. I used basil instead of cilantro because it’s what I had, and added just a little bit of ginger. My husband and I ate so much of this!
Perfect! Glad it was a hit!
I made this for a cookout and it was a big hit! We had extra ingredients left over and my husband asked me to make it again.
Because of allergies, I had to leave out the jalapeno and cayenne, and the end result was still delicious! I kept all other ingredients and ratios in the recipe the same, except I was a little short on the cilantro. I made it on a Saturday afternoon and served it Sunday afternoon, so that full day in the fridge allowed the veggies to soak up the sauce.
Served it along with grilled teriyaki chicken and everyone loved it!
Perfect! So glad it was a hit. It’s even better 1 day later 🙂
The best summer recipe for coleslaw. It’s great to make ahead and leave it in the fridge for a side when you have a busy weekend. The ingredient proportions are perfect as they are.
So glad you loved it, MaryEllen!
This recipe really rocked! Just enough sweetness and spiciness to satisfy the palate! Not to mention how beautiful the salad is, omg!(goodness) Good alone or on a pulled pork sandwich! Thank you SO much for the recipe!!!!
SO happy you loved it, Laurie! Yay!
So delicious! I changed only two things. First, I added sliced bulbs from the scallions, not just the green tops. Second, I substituted a pablano pepper for the jalepeno as it is milder but very flavorful. Finally, I added the purple flower tops, chopped, from the chives we grow. I will make this recipe forever! Thank you.
Those are excellent additions, Colleen! So happy you’re a fan of this recipe 🙂
I recently started refreshing the cabbage and it does make a huge difference. Place the chopped cabbage in a bowl of cold water and refrigerate at least an hour. You could do this first thing in the day and it would be fine for evening. Drain the cabbage. The crunch is unbelievable.
Yes, such a smart thing to do! 🙂
I come back to this recipe over and over again. For allergy reasons, I make it without the cayenne and jalepeno and it is still so delish. I make it the day before I need it and add a bit more syrup and salt the morning of whatever party I’m bringing it to. Sometime add a little lemon juice to the dressing too. It’s becoming my signature dish for summer parties. Nobody is mad when this shows up to the party.
My husband always asks me to double the batch so we can eat it all week for lunch as a topper to our salads.
Oh yay, I’m so happy that you guys love this one so much! 🙂
This is our go to slaw recipe! My husband loves slaw, but is also a self proclaimed slaw snob. He LOVES this! Here’s the 1 change I made. Instead of regular maple syrup and added heat? I male it with Trees Knees Spicy Maple Syrup. I’m telling you. It’s AMAZING
So glad that you guys both loved it, Shannon. And that spicy maple syrup sounds AMAZING!
First I loved the personal comments; that you have loved coleslaw since you were young, that cabbage is a new staple. The dressing recipe was perfect. I forgot the red cabbage. Instead, I added radishes and broccoli.
Delicious and refreshing
Thank you for taking the time to read the post, Karen! So happy you loved this one. Great idea to add radishes and broccoli–yum!
Colourful, healthy and delicious. This was a real hit at the a family bbq this weekend!
So happy that you guys loved it! 🙂
Love this! I hate Mayo and never use it. I usually make slaw with mustard and it’s really delicious. This recipe gives me another alternate. Thanks.
Yay! So happy that you’re loving this one, Misty 🙂
This is our favorite coleslaw recipe. I’ve been making it for quite some time now and it never fails to disappear whenever I make it at home or to bring to parties. We don’t even miss the old mayo version….it’s just too rich for us now.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful and tasty recipe!
Oh yay, I’m so happy you love this one, Jeannie! 🙂
I made this Cole Slaw this weekend when we were invited to a cookout for the 4th. The hostess is vegan and I wanted to make something that she might enjoy. The Cole Slaw was DELICIOUS and a huge hit. Everyone asked for the recipe. I’ll be making this again.
Oh yay! I’m so happy that everyone loved it so much, Wanda! Can’t wait for you to make it again sometime 🙂
Very simple and tasty , the vegetables speak for themselves.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Brian!
Love this recipe and paired it with my crock pot pulled pork. I added lemon juice to really brighten the veggies! Would have given 5 stars but the site on my phone wouldn’t let me…. 😖
Hands down the best coleslaw. Healthy and fresh. I’ve made it as written and with reducing the oil amount. Really good both ways. Sometimes I have to skip the nuts because I don’t have them on hand. Still excellent without them. I always make extra to save in the fridge and toss in the dressing when I’m ready to eat. Perfection!
So fresh and flavorful, right?! Glad to hear you love it!!
Truly the best ever slaw!! This is delicious with Mexican food. Try on tacos or in a wrap! This is a staple recipe that is so versatile! A family fave for our family!
Comment above!
Wow! Delicious and a great side for grilling that isn’t heavy with mayo. The toasted almonds and pepitas make this recipe. I left out the cayenne in the dressing as it already has jalapeño, onions, and garlic. The entire family loved it! Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times. I love it. I hate mayo so am always looking for recipes that do not include it. This is now my go for coleslaw. To save time, I use a bag of coleslaw mix. The dressing is so good.
Not sure why it wasn’t giving five stars when I went to rate this, but it should be FIVE! I’ve made this several times, and we really enjoyed it. Sans cilantro and jalapeños for our tastes though.
Ahh that happens sometimes, sorry! Mind me asking what Internet browser you’re using so that we can try to figure out what’s going on on our end?
Anyways, so happy you love this one!
Love this salad! I have been making it all summer. I buy the precut slaw mix from Trader Joes to make it faster. My middle schooler said she would be willing to have in her school lunch. Thank you!!
Great idea to use that slaw mix! So glad you guys are loving it 🙂
have made this multiple times and everyone loves it!
Awesome! So happy to hear that 🙂 Thanks for the review!
I made this for a family bbq and everyone loved it! It went great with our pulled pork sandwiches. So light, fresh, perfect for summer!
Ooh yummy, that sounds amazing! So glad to hear you all loved it 🙂
I had the cole slaw mix, but was looking for a wonderful light Mayo free dressing recipe. I found yours and have to say, I’ll never use Mayo again. This was delicious and I will try the entire recipe next time !!!
I’m so happy you found this one! Glad you loved it, Wendy 🙂
Lots of trouble for no flavor
Sorry you didn’t love it!
This recipe totally lives up to its name!! I made it for a family reunion and it went fast. It is so refreshing and flavorful This recipe is a keeper!!
Thank you
Love it!, mods are only due to ingredients not readily available in my refrigerator. I have a batch living in my refrigerator (fresh batch every three days or so). This slaw has become part of my regular lunch at work. Thanks much
Nice! So glad to hear you’re loving it 🙂 Thanks for the review!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS COLESLAW RECIPE!! It’s filled with all kinds of my favorite goodies and has a nice little (or a lot, depending on you taste) kick to it. I make a full batch and take it camping, along with whole wheat pita bread and humus and have the tastiest lunch right at my fingertips for the whole week. It’s so refreshing and healthy, I always feel like I did something good for myself after I eat. Thanks so much for sharing!
P.S. I never write reviews, so you know I really, really mean it!
SO happy you love it!! And yes it’s super versatile and great to have on hand throughout the week. Thanks so much for leaving a review, Lyn! ❤️
This was a lovely recipe! I have been making vinaigrette cabbage slaws with the same base ingredients for the longest time but it never occurred to me to add jalapeño or seeds & nuts. Usually, I just add cilantro or parsley and call it done. Your additions are inspired and it was delicious on top of our bbq pulled pork sandwiches made with my sourdough discard pretzel rolls. The Niman Ranch BBQ pork was purchased but I like to balance store-bought with homemade elements and this slaw really made out dinner perfect!
Aw that’s so nice to hear–I’m glad this one inspires you!
This Coleslaw is amazing and Healthy. Thanks
Very crunchy and flavorful.I paired slaw with baked egg rolls. Will definitely make again.
Sounds amazing — so happy you loved it!
This coleslaw was beautiful and delicious. Everyone commented on it! I can’t wait to make it again!
YAY, so glad you all loved it!
This was sooooooppp DELICIOUS. I didn’t think a healthy version of coleslaw dressing existed … this was DELIGHTFUL. Thank you!!
I’m thrilled you loved it, Jill! Thank you!
This is best coleslaw! I used bagged coleslaw and happened to have everything on hand. Oh my goodness this is going to be my go to coleslaw recipe from now on! So good.
My family of four loved this version of coleslaw. We eat a lot of salads and this is a lighter fresher version of slaw. Will definitely make again.
My sister is undergoing cancer treatments and needs to follow a very strict diet. My older sister and I have been trying to find things she can eat. This recipe, except for the maple syrup is perfect. I substituted monk fruit golden sugar substitute and it was absolutely delicious. I’ve made it twice and everyone loves it . As printed it’s a great recipe for everyone, but if you use all organic ingredients and a sugar substitute, it works for a anti-cancer diet.
Thank you for this recipe, it really is delicious,
Aw I’m so glad to hear this recipe worked well for her diet and that you all love it! Thanks so much, Pat. Wishing your sister a strong recovery ❤️
This has been my go-to coleslaw recipe for years. Whether eaten on its own or topped onto tacos or pulled pork sammies it’s sheer perfection! Light but super flavourful.
Aw thanks so much for leaving a review, Jen! I’m so happy you love this one!
So good! My husband loved it too! Definitely will be making again.
Wow… the coleslaw dressing is the best ever! Very easy to make, so delicious, and super addictive. I substituted agave for syrup and it was awesome. Can’t wait to share with friends and family. This will be beautiful on sandwiches as well.
Thank you so much!
I’m SO happy you loved it, Cindy! Thanks for the kind review 🙂
Honestly I don’t often take the time to comment, but this was worth it!! There’s not many options where I live, so I had to do without the onion, pepitas, and almonds. Also changed maple syrup for honey, and added some quinoa to make a meal out of it, delicous and healthy!!! 10/10
I really appreciate the review, Sarah — thank you! I’m so glad you loved it. Those are amazing additions!
So fresh and yummy! Made this for pulled pork sandwiches and it was perfect. Buying precut cabbage made it super easy to prep. thanks!!
This is an amazing coleslaw. My new favorite. I added dried cranberries as well. Sooo good!
This coleslaw looks fabulous. I just have to add lime juice to make it perfect. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love this doesn’t have mayo,
Hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
I made this tonight with shrimp tacos. It was delicious. My husband loved it too. I don’t like Cole slaw with mayonnaise so this was a great version. I didn’t have the nuts but it’s still very good without. I’ll make it next time with nuts. Thank you for the recipe.
You’re making me hungry! That sounds like an incredible pairing. Glad you enjoyed it!
The best coleslaw!
Thank you!! So happy you love it.
I love this dressing. It is so versatile. Not only does it tastes good on coleslaw but also on any other greens. I use it for Cucumber and tomato salad. I love that you can control the amount of sweetness. Great vinaigrette dressing! Thank you!
Nice! So happy you’ve tried it on other salads, too 🙂
I realize this is an older recipe but wanted to take the time to review. I used napa cabbage for more texture (along with the red and green cabbage) and upped the maple syrup and omitted the jalapeno because I was making it for a crowd and wasn’t sure of everyone’s preferences. Very good!
So glad you enjoyed it, Katy! Great modifications 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review — it means a lot!
As I child, I would be hanging out in the kitchen whenever mother was making anything with cabbage.
She knew her son was waiting for his favorite treat, the cabbage core. Yum.
Hahaha I love that! I snack on the cabbage core, too 🙂
If you’re looking for a healthy coleslaw recipe that doesn’t use mayo, then this is the one for you! With just a couple ingredients, it’s easy to make and tastes great. While it’s got a lot of vegetables, it’s not too heavy pokedle on the calories, so it can be eaten as a side dish or even as a main meal.
this is an awesome recipe .. I’ve made this four times now, ive even added fennel and red radish, but what is a serving size? one cup? 1/2cup?
I’m so glad you love it, Michelle! Love those crunchy additions, too. Re: serving size, I haven’t actually measured it but it’ll be 1/8th of the whole batch. I’d say around 1 cup!
I’ve been looking at this forever and finally tried it. It was awesome! I made some slight changes because I am on Weight Watchers. I used a sugar free maple flavored syrup. I also did not use the roasted almonds. I felt that the pepitas were enough crunch. I will definitely make this again.
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
This salad is amazing!!! I only had shredded cabbage so I added chopped radishes with your dressing and it was delicious!! I love mayo but this is so much better. Can’t wait to take it on my camping trip!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times this summer and it is so fresh and delicious. I’m not a big Mayo fan and have been looking for a no-Mayo coleslaw recipe that has a lot of flavor and this one delivers! It’s visually a very pretty salad with all of the colors.
So glad to hear you love this one, Jeanelle!
Love this! No mayo coleslaw is the way to go. Very refreshing and light. Great to add on a salad or taco.
I’m so glad you loved it, Shannon! Thank you!
Excellent recipe. Just enough bite. Colors are beautiful. Left out pumpkin seeds and almonds. Still enough crunch!
I make this coleslaw at least twice a month! When I’m pressed for time, (almost always), I use two bags of trader joe’s organic shredded cabbage and the same amount of the dressing in the recipe. It’s perfect!
Nice! Great shortcut to use the pre-shredded cabbage 🙂 Happy you love this recipe!
This was super yummy! I loved the extra texture and flavor from the pepitas and almonds. I ended up making just 1/4 of the recipe since it was just for me and my husband, and the servings were still quite hefty. I bet the full recipe could even serve 10. Thanks!
So glad you loved it, Mimi — thank you!
Love this recipe! Such a fresh change from classic mayo based slaw. Lots of flavor! I modified because we can’t handle much heat – used half jalapeno and no cayenne. Also omitted the cilantro because I’m the only one in family who likes it. Thanks for an amazing recipe!!! Tastes great on my tofu bbq wrap!!
Yay! Those are great modifications 🙂 So happy you all love it!!
Although I wasn’t a big fan of the dressing on its own, when I combined it with the rest of the ingredients the slaw was Wow! The jalapeño and cayenne pepper gives it just the right kick. And I found one tablespoon of maple syrup was plenty sweet. I’ll be making again for sure. Thank you!
Absolutely! Trust the whole combination 😉 it’s delicious!
Wohoo this was so good! I made this coleslaw with the sesame chicken as my first recipes to try and am officially a sold out fan. The coleslaw gets better the best day and doesn’t go soggy or gross like a mayo version! I’m in New Zealand and couldn’t find a jalapeño so used some sliced ones from a jar which may have added an extra kick from the juice, but they were a perfect addition! We are coming into Spring now so this will be a regular in the house over the next 6 months, thank you!
Yay!! I’m SO happy you loved it 🙂 Such a great idea to pair it with the sesame chicken! I bet they were great together. Thanks for commenting!
I enjoy salads. especially the salt from cabbage. The shredded cabbage is quite tasty and crispy. At this blog, I learned how to make cabbage salad entirely differently. Tomorrow I’ll give it a shot. Thanks a lot!
This was the best compliment to pulled pork, and always tastes so fresh and delicious! I add lime to the dressing, which adds some testiness to it!
I love this–made it twice in the last three weeks and it’s only February! It is so flavorful that it doesn’t need the nuts/seeds–but of course they make it more robust. On the second batch, I adjusted the oil and vinegar up a little.
So good! I used a little honey instead of maple syrup and doubled the garlic. Couldn’t stop eating it!
YUM! So delicious, glad you are enjoying it!
This is so good! As soon as I saw the email with this recipe, I knew I had to make it. And it’s DELICIOUS! I love that there’s no mayo. It’s so fresh and crunchy. Thank you for another winner!
I avoid mayo as much as possible this was an amazing recipe for cole slaw that I will use forever
This is fabulous! Our family absolutely loves this recipe. It has the perfect tang and spice and the cilantro and seeds take it up a notch. You can’t go wrong serving this as a side dish to any summertime bbq meal.
perfect! So glad this recipe is a hit for you and your family 🙂
This the best dressing! so good. thank you for sharing x
Of course! Glad you’re loving it!
We LOVE this coleslaw it has been my go-to recipe for 3 years. We love the crunch from the nuts and the spicyness from the jalapeno and cayenne. I usually double the dressing and make a bigger batch as this coleslaw saves in the fridge for several days and makes a nice addition to weekday lunches and dinners.
Love that! Such a great go-to for summer!
This recipe is simply delightful – bright, flavorful and fresh!! A perfect salad which SCREAMS summer!! I made this recipe today for the first time and it was a hit. Full disclaimer though…I did make 2 modifications: Instead of apple cider vinegar, I used freshly squeezed lime juice and about 1/4 teaspoon of lime zest. Lastly, I used black sesame seeds instead of pepitas.
I wanted a smaller seed which was not as intrusive, and I prefer citrus vs. vinegar. Everything else in the recipe I kept the same. Needless to say, this recipe will be on heavy rotation this summer. Another great dish from this food-site which never ceases to amaze me! 🙂
Ah this sounds absolutely amazing and I am so glad you’re loving this recipe ❤️
I brought this to a family potluck and now I am required to bring it to all future family meals! I needed a side salad for a large group, and this was a very budget friendly option. Loved that it was a healthy alternative to traditional coleslaw, and that it’s dairy free! I used the full 2T of maple syrup, and only 1/16 of cayenne pepper (I like sweet and not too spicy), I also left out the almonds due to allergies, and it was *chef’s kiss*
omg this is seriously the best! So glad this recipe is a hit for you and your family, Jocelyn!
This coleslaw recipe is to die for. Simple and delicious. This will go in my favorite recipes. I gave it five stars. My husband loved it.
YAY! I am so glad you’re loving this slaw and it turned out great for you ❤️
Yum. Much more healthy.
I made this last night with sesame oil, and added a diced mango. Amazing salad! We enjoyed it with grilled chicken thighs. It put what would have been a simple weeknight dinner over the top! My husband declared it to be the best coleslaw he’s ever had! I can’t wait to make it for dinner guests!
Thanks for another delicious recipe!
Ooh the mango is such a good addition! Love it! Thanks for sharing, I’m so glad you loved it 🙂
Super yummy salad that’s a potluck hit. I toss in some grape halves, blackberries, blueberries or other fruits of the season. Was out of garlic one time, so subbed a tablespoon of garlic olive oil for part of the oil. The maple syrup is definitely the secret, magical ingredient.
Ahh yay! I am so glad this recipe is a hit for everyone!!
This is, no kidding, some extremely tasty and versatile slaw. I crave it since the first time I made it. I put it on tacos, pinto beans, sandwiches, and just eat it as a side dish with just about anything. Love, love this.
YUM! My fave, glad you are loving this slaw and it turned out great for you 🙂
We eat this coleslaw ALL THE TIME, and have gotten compliments from friends and family. Seriously, the best coleslaw!
Ahh! I am so glad to hear that you and the family are loving this coleslaw, Jessica. Thank you for sharing your review ❤️
I make this all the time. I love it with tacos, black beans, BBQ soy curls, veggie burgers. The only modification I make is to add more pepitas instead of nuts. I go on the lighter side with maple syrup and heavier with cayenne, and sometimes red pepper flakes.
YUM! I am so excited to hear that you are loving this coleslaw and it turns out great for you! Love your subs, sounds perfect 🙂
Fresh, lightly sweet, and perfect as a side dish, but we especially enjoyed the slaw piled on as a topping on our pulled pork sandwiches! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!😃
Amazing! Glad you loved this recipe and it turned out great for you 🙂
This truly WAS the Best Cole Slaw Ever! Wow. I just put it together after zipping to the market for cilantro and green onions. Then forgot the cilantro (!) but it was absolutely scrumptious with the cayenne and used the full green onions. I am off to share with a few foodie friends. I just ate two bowls of it as my lunch! Thank you for this!
WOO! I am so happy you found this recipe and are loving it, Bonnie. Thank you for coming back and sharing your comment!
I made this without the nuts tonight for jackfruit “pulled pork” sandwiches ….. OMG! IT WAS AMAZING! Perfect heat and sweet! I love that it doesn’t have mayo also…. so much more healthy. So glad i found this recipe!
YUM! So glad you gave this recipe a try and it is a hit, Jenna ❤️
Can i eat this slaw if i just had gallbladder removed 7days ago on a veggie burger?
I would check with your dr about any food restrictions you might have.
I have made this so many times since I discovered it! I did not include the almonds because I found the pepitas provided a good crunch. Also did not include the syrup because I don’t care for sweet coleslaw. Delicious!
Love it! This one’s great for customizing to your taste preferences 🙂
We make this recipe all the time and my kids LOVE it!!! This is a great recipe y’all! It’s a really good combo with pork shoulder and chips, the perfect summer barbecue y’all
Absolutely! Glad it’s a hit!
I love this recipe for coleslaw. Often, I will just purchase several bags of finely shredded slaw and prepare this delicious dressing. I never use cilantro—but that is a personal choice. The dressing is light and the coleslaw is easily made ahead and keeps well in the refrigerator.
Love that! So easy and delicious.
Such a great coleslaw. Just the right amount of tangy. Everyone loved it at our family get together. And healthy to boot. Could live on this slaw!
Absolutely the best! Full delicious fresh flavor. Was a total hit at the party ! Made 1 1/2 servings and not a bite left.
Love it!!
This is one of my favorite slaw recipes. It was difficult to find a slaw that didn’t have mayonnaise in it. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll use bagged slaw and put the dressing on it. Tastes amazing either way!
So glad you found this one!
What a great tasting alternative!
Bursting with freshness and flavor:)
I used 1 and half Tbs. of pure Vermont maple syrup and a bit more salt before serving.
Many compliments from my guests and will definitely make again.
Thank you for a great recipe!
Absolutely! So glad it was a hit!
Delicious! I could just eat it on its own. The addition of the almonds and pumpkin seeds are key. In a pinch, could use two bags of Trader Joes’ shredded red cabbage, green cabbage and carrot mix.
Absolutely! Great idea for an even quicker slaw 🙂
I like your favorite coleslaw recipe but there are NO MEASUREMENTS for them! HELP before 4th of July please!
Thank you,
Theri Koehler
Glendale, CA
Hi! You’ll find the full recipe at the bottom of the post with the ingredient amounts and full instructions. Feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” at the top of the page.
I made this tonight and it was sooo good! I had it as a side for baked salmon, and I went back for seconds of the slaw even after I finished the meal. I used a bag of pre-shredded cabbage, and it was so easy and quick to prepare. I’m definitely adding this to my rotation!
The best! Glad you loved it!
I don’t take the time to leave reviews very often, but I wanted to say how much I love your spin off the classic coleslaw. I am making dinner to take to somebody tonight, and making coleslaw because it’s a BBQ-style meal, but when I tasted the coleslaw to sample it I realized I actually don’t even love coleslaw that much! I found your recipe when I was searching how to take coleslaw up a notch, and I loved it so much more with the addition of the cilantro, garlic, and pepitas! I will never make coleslaw the old way again. Thank you for thinking outside the box & sharing it!
Amazing! So happy you found this recipe 🙂 I hope everyone loves it!
I Loved this recipe, My husband who does not like coleslaw, liked this. He specifically commented on the kick from the Cayenne. I omitted the nuts as I prepared this for salmon burgers and didn’t want the distraction of the nuts on the sandwich, otherwise a WINNER!
Amazing! Glad it was a hit!
This was so good! The Cayenne pepper was a nice touch. Loved it!
So glad you enjoyed!
Best mayo free slaw hands down! I make it the same each and every time (except almonds, Not fond of almonds) Delicious! I would not change a thing. Especially love the ratio of sauce to veg. So little is needed and lasts for our wee family of two for days.
So good!! Glad everyone loved it!
This is DELICIOUS!!! I thought I didn’t like slaw – turns out I just don’t like any other slaw except this one!
YES this is the only slaw you need!
Delicious! Great balance of flavors, love the pepitas and almonds. Thank you!
A little crunch takes it to the next level!
This was so yummy! didnt have green onions so skipped that, only did a tablespoon of maple syrup, and for convenience i used coleslaw bag mix, and shredded carrot mix 🙂
Perfect! Easy and delicious 🙂
This slaw recipe is my favorite by far! It’s fresh and light and goes with fish tacos, chicken, bbq and so much more! I sometimes use lime instead of the vinegar and change up a couple ingredients depending on what I have I have started keeping all of my favorite ambitious kitchen recipes in my Allspice recipe keeper app and it’s been life changing on being able to locate what I’m looking for and order my ingredients! This recipe is a keeper!
So good! This one’s great for customizing 🙂
Easy and delicious.
Agreed! Glad you enjoyed!
fantastic recipe! I used a mandolin to shave the cabbage and it turned out perfectly. we put ours on tacos but I can’t wait to try it on burgers as in the cookbook!
YES love that idea!!
VERY good! Fresh and crispy, even the next day. I used only the red cabbage. I shredded the cabbage and carrots instead of buying the bags of coleslaw mix. If you have the time, it’s easy-peasy and makes such a difference. The cilantro made is such a different flavor profile. I am craving it already (one week later)! This is my new summer salad go-to (it’s summer here in AZ already!).
So easy! Glad you enjoyed!
I made this for a family bbq and it was a big hit! I love that I can introduce healthy dishes to my family that actually taste amazing. My sister even asked for the recipe so she could make it and put it into wraps for her lunches. I did double the dressing so I could add more as we wanted. So delicious!!
So happy to hear that! Perfect for summer 🙂
OMGosh Delicious! I usually skip any coleslaw served because ingredients are typically unhealthy. But I absolutely feel good about eating this coleslaw and as a bonus, it’s so yummy. I have to admit, when I’m pressed for time I’ve used a bag of broccoli slaw in place of the first two ingredients and jar diced jalapeño (Jeff’s Garden brand is great). Do not exclude the jalapeño!!
This one’s perfect for pre-cut veggies! So glad you love it!
SO GOOOD. I top this to bbq chicken sliders on sweet rolls and everyone i’ve made this for loooves it. I typically omit the seeds/nuts- that’s just my preference. This time making it, I accidentally purchased Parsley instead of Cilantro and it tasted just as fresh and delicious.
So good!! This one’s great for customizing 🙂
A healthy take on the ole slaw! Loved it with pulled pork. Very flavoursome. 👍🏻
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed!
I tried a couple different slaw recipes and this one was my absolute favorite!
I unfortunately didn’t have the apple cider vinegar so I just used distilled white vinegar, I also didn’t have the pepitos so I just didn’t use those but the Slaw’s excellent regardless! Yummy 😋
Perfect! So glad you loved this one!
Crazy delicious! This salad is one of the best I have ever made. It’s perfect!
So happy to hear that!
SO delicious! i only used a red cabbage, no green at all. i also grated a gala apple in it, added a bit of Tajin seasoning, and WOW – i was blown away – thanks for a dish i’m going to make on the regular!
That sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed!
delicious
Hi! I was looking for a healthy slaw made with apples too (as a side for a chili dinner buffet). Do you think the addition of matchstick sized apples would be good in this recipe? Love your recipes and your cookbook!
Yes! I think that would be delicious 🙂
Have made this so many times over the years that this slaw equals summer to me. I’ve modified many different ways based on others’ preferences or ingredients on hand and it always comes out great. Sometimes will buy precut slaw to save time or if I’m halfing the recipe. The original recipe is best, of course!
I think this comes out best when made 4-24 hours in advance so the flavors can set in, and I often keep in the fridge for 3 days as we work through leftovers. Also love that the no-mayo aspect means I feel comfortable setting out on hot days without it going off right away.
Also- this is basically salad- so I have meal prepped this for office lunches before, and just upped the nuts or added cashews to get in some extra protein.
This one’s so great for customizing! And yes, great tip to make it ahead of time.
This was the perfect side dish for bbq chicken!! Love that it’s healthier. I always add a dried fruit to it too (dried cranberries or blueberries or raisins)!
Oh great idea to add a little dried fruit!