This classic vegan coleslaw is refreshingly tangy, with a creamy dressing that perfectly complements crisp vegetables. It’s a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Sliders or Vegan Chili Dogs—perfect for barbecues, game days, or casual gatherings. Quick, easy, and delicious, no one will guess it’s vegan!
Creating a classic vegan coleslaw at home couldn’t be simpler! Inspired by traditional flavors, this version delivers the same crunchy cabbage, zesty dressing, and touch of sweetness, but swaps out egg-based mayo for a vegan alternative that’s just as tasty.
It’s so good, it even works as a side for Vegan Tunacado Sandwich or alongside Vegan Hamburger Helper for a hearty meal. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly, making it the perfect dish for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Vibrant: Homemade means using fresh, crisp vegetables that burst with flavor and color, creating a visually appealing dish.
- Healthier Choice: Vegan coleslaw skips the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing, making it a lighter and healthier option. It's perfect for those seeking a plant-based or lower-fat alternative.
- Versatile Side: Vegan coleslaw pairs well with various dishes, from BBQ to sandwiches like Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich and tacos like Jackfruit Tacos, adding a refreshing and crunchy element to your meals.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it in advance, and it only gets better with time as the flavors meld together, making it an excellent option for picnics, potlucks, or meal prepping.
- Refreshing and Light: Vegan coleslaw offers a refreshing and light contrast to heartier dishes, making it an excellent choice for balancing your meals.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can whip up a batch quickly, even if you're a novice in the kitchen.
- Family Favorite: It's a crowd-pleaser that appeals to adults and kids, omnivores and vegans making it a go-to side dish for family gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Here is an overview of this culinary dream team. For quantities, see the recipe card.
- Maple Syrup - substitute with agave
- Shredded Cabbage - Buy pre-shredded for convenience or shred parts of a green and purple cabbage along with a carrot or two.
- Vegan Mayo - Searching in the mayo department at the supermarket, you'll find the standout stars of vegan mayo: Just Mayo, Vegenaise, and Hellmann's Vegan, proving a classic can evolve. There are many more, but those are my go-to. By the way, I've never met a vegan mayo I don't like.
How To Make Classic Vegan Coleslaw
If you enjoy pictures, here is a tasty slideshow for this recipe. See the recipe card for more details.
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables and place all the dressing ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
Step 2: Mix the dressing well.
Step 3: Place the cabbage and onions in the bowl with the dressing.
Step 4: Mix well. Cover and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes. Give the coleslaw a quick toss before serving. Then top with cracked pepper if desired.
Top Tips
- Slice up red onions however you like, but full-on rings might stage a takeover in your dish. I usually go halfsies on the rings or dice them up really small to keep things in check. Feel free to skip them, as they can pack a punch. The smaller you chop them, the less likely they are to start any flavor wars in your coleslaw.
- If you're chopping your own cabbage, don't forget to throw in some shredded carrots for a splash of color and a bit of crunch—they sweeten up the tangy dressing nicely.
- After tossing everything together, let it hang out in the fridge for a bit. This chill time lets all those flavors become friends and softens the cabbage just right.
- Before you serve, jazz it up with a handful of toasted sesame seeds, slivered almonds, or sunflower seeds for that perfect crunch factor if you want.
Serving Suggestions
- Sandwiches: It's the perfect crunchy, creamy accompaniment to your BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sliders and Chipotle Black Bean Burgers.
- Chili: Serve it with Vegan Chili With TVP for a casual meal.
- Tofu: Serve it alongside Smoked Tofu as a refreshing side dish.
- Wraps: Adds crunch and freshness to wraps like Spicy Vegan Caesar Wrap With Baked Tofu, especially with the spicy flavors.
- Bowl Ingredient: Great in a bowl with grains, greens, and a protein source for a complete meal. For bowl ideas, visit Vegan Egg Roll Bowl Recipe or Mediterranean Grain Bowl.
Storage
Keep in mind that as the vegan coleslaw sits in the fridge, the dressing will cause the vegetables, especially cabbage, to release moisture, which will make the coleslaw slightly watery over time. To maintain its texture, give it a quick stir before serving and consider draining any excess liquid if necessary. It should still taste fresh for 3-5 days in an air-tight container, but it’s best enjoyed within the first couple of days to keep that crisp, crunchy bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even with vegan mayo, classic vegan coleslaw remains a healthier choice than traditional when enjoyed in moderation, thanks to its base of nutrient-rich vegetables and the use of healthier fats in many vegan mayos.
This dish likes to be served fresh. You're looking at a prime time of 2-3 days in the fridge. After that, it will start to lose its crunch.
YES! It's one of the first things I tell people to swap because it tastes like the OG. You won't miss the original once you've tried the plant-based version. It's like finding out your favorite superhero has a cooler twin.
More Delicious Vegan Summer Recipes
Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Classic Vegan Coleslaw
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Classic Vegan Coleslaw is refreshingly tangy and has a perfect crunch. The balance of the creamy dressing with the crisp vegetables makes it a great side for a variety of dishes, especially during a barbecue, game day, or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of mixed shredded cabbage (green and purple) and carrot
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced, then halved or diced
- ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup relish
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- ½ - 1 teaspoon salt
- cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the vegan mayonnaise, relish, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, celery seed, and salt.
- Add Cabbage and Carrots: Combine the shredded cabbage, carrot, and red onion in the bowl with the dressing. Toss well to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cabbage to soften slightly.
- Serve: Give the coleslaw a quick toss before serving. Top with cracked black pepper to taste. It's the perfect crunchy, creamy accompaniment to your BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sliders.
Notes
If you're not using a pre-shredded cabbage mix, don't forget the carrots for a pop of color and an extra crunch. They lend a natural sweetness that complements the tangy dressing.
Once mixed, give your coleslaw some time in the fridge to marinate. A few hours lets the flavors meld together and the cabbage to soften slightly, enhancing the overall taste and texture.
While the cabbage offers crunch, adding ingredients like toasted sesame seeds, slivered almonds, or sunflower seeds just before serving can introduce an enjoyable variety of textures.
If raw onions make you want to run for the hills, you've got options. Soaking them in cold water before tossing them into the mix can take the edge off. Or, you can skip them altogether.
Time presented for preparation includes chilling time. The recipe only takes 5 minutes to prepare with a bag of chopped cabbage and carrots.
Nutritional information is only an estimate.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: mixing
- Cuisine: American
Sarah says
Had this for a gathering over the weekend and no one could tell it had vegan mayo.
Regi Pearce says
That's wonderful! Vegan mayo is the easiest swap to make because it tastes so much like the traditional version. Thanks for the comment.