• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Conscientious Eater
  • START HERE
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Meal Plan
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • 8-Week Meal Plan
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • 8-Week Meal Plan
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home | Recipes | Salad

    The BEST Vegan Coleslaw Recipe

    Dec 8, 2022 by Faith VanderMolen

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crispy, colorful veggies get coated in a creamy, mayo-based dressing in this delicious, classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe!

    creamy vegan coleslaw being scooped up with tongs

    I feel like people either love or hate coleslaw.

    Then, among the group of coleslaw lovers, people usually fall into two groups of people: vinegar dressing coleslaw lovers OR mayo dressing coleslaw lovers.

    I'm a coleslaw with mayo dressing kinda gal.

    (Well, to be honest, I'll eat any kind of vegan coleslaw if it's put in front of me, but a creamy, mayo-based dressing is definitely my favorite!)

    Today I'm sharing my go-to, super classic and delicious Vegan Coleslaw Recipe!

    I know you all will love this 15 minute, 8 ingredient recipe, so let me show you how to make it!

    What is Coleslaw?

    In general, coleslaw is a salad made with a base of shredded cabbage and carrots--sometimes other veggies--and a creamy mayonnaise dressing.

    However, there are so many different variations of coleslaw nowadays.

    You can make coleslaw with vinegar based dressings if you aren't a big mayo fan.

    You can add in different types of shredded veggies.

    Even today's recipe is fully vegan, which isn't traditional, but it tastes just as delicious!

    Is Coleslaw Different than Salad?

    The main difference between coleslaw and salad is that coleslaw always contains shredded cabbage.

    So I guess, coleslaw is a salad, but salad isn't always coleslaw!

    Egg-Free Coleslaw Dressing Recipe

    ingredients needed for the best creamy coleslaw dressing

    The dressing for this creamy vegan coleslaw recipe is the star of the show, especially if you like mayo-based, creamy dressings...which I do!

    To make a dairy-free coleslaw dressing, you'll need the following ingredients:

    • Vegan mayonnaise
    • Sugar
    • Lemon juice
    • White vinegar
    • Salt
    • Pepper

    That's it! Super simple, huh?

    If you want to serve your coleslaw as fresh as possible, you can always make the dressing ahead of time and just add it to freshly shredded veggies when you're ready to eat!

    Simply make the dressing and place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

    Pour it over your favorite shredded veggies, stir and enjoy!

    What Can I Use Instead of Sugar in Coleslaw Dressing?

    If you don't want to use white or cane sugar like this recipe calls for, you can always use maple syrup or agave!

    Or, if you're not vegan, honey is also a great sweetener for this dressing.

    How to Make Vegan Coleslaw

    The base of coleslaw is just a bunch of shredded veggies, so that aspect of coleslaw is already vegan.

    However, traditional coleslaw is made with mayonnaise which contains eggs and is therefore not vegan.

    So to make vegan coleslaw, you simply need to use an egg-free or vegan mayonnaise.

    Then you're good to go!

    Simply place your shredded veggies in a bowl and pour over your vegan coleslaw dressing. Stir well to combine and your vegan coleslaw is all set and ready to enjoy!

    light shinning off a head of green cabbage

    Step 1: Thinly shred your cabbage and carrot. You'll need about 8 cups of shredded veggies!

    shredded carrots and cabbage in a bowl

    Step 2: Place the shredded veggies into a large mixing bowl.

    creamy vegan mayo dressing overtop of shredded veggies

    Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the creamy coleslaw dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies and stir until all of the vegetables have been coated in the dressing.

    tongs in a bowl of creamy vegan coleslaw

    Step 4: Season with lots of freshly ground black pepper. Taste the coleslaw and add more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!

    How Long Does Coleslaw Last in the Fridge?

    I love coleslaw because it's a great meal-prep salad.

    Cruciferous veggies, such as cabbage, are hearty and don't get too soggy if they sit in dressing for a couple of days.

    This vegan coleslaw recipe should last in the fridge for 4-5 days.

    Alternatively, like I mentioned above, you can also make the dressing in advance and add it to shredded veggies right before serving!

    Best Foods to Eat with Coleslaw

    Coleslaw makes the best side dish for so many dishes and meals.

    I'll list out some of our favorite ways to enjoy coleslaw below!

    • As a side dish with BBQ Veggie Burgers
    • On top of Lentil Sloppy Joes (or any sandwich!)
    • As a filling for wraps
    • As a fresh, crisp condiment for tacos, hotdogs and burgers
    • In buddha bowls as the veggie
    • As the veggie component of a cold pasta salad
    • Straight out of the container!
    tongs scooping up some creamy vegan coleslaw

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan Coleslaw Recipe

    Faith VanderMolen
    Crispy, colorful veggies get coated in a creamy, mayo-based dressing in this delicious, classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 129 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 6 cups shredded green cabbage
    • 2 cups shredded carrots

    DRESSING

    • ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions 

    • Place the shredded veggies into a large mixing bowl.
    • In a smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth, including a big pinch of salt and lots of black pepper. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
    • Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies and stir until well combined.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    In total, you need about 8 cups of shredded veggies or one 14 ounce bag of coleslaw mix.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 112mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5398IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    More Salad

    • Vegan Chickpea Salad (No Mayo!)
    • 11 Fresh Vegan Summer Salads
    • Simple Lemon Couscous Salad
    • Vegan Italian Pasta Salad (4 Ingredients!)


    Plant Biased Cookbook


    Plant Biased cover
     

    Plant Biased is my new cookbook and beginner's guide to eating a more plant based diet! I describe it as "the book I wish I had when I went vegan back in 2013."

    Plant Biased includes...

    90+ beginner recipes! My top breakfast, main dish, dessert & snack recipes!
    Why Plant Biased? Understand the "why" behind your choice to go plant-based!
    Vegan Cooking Basics: What you need to know and what to avoid when cooking.
    Grocery Shopping: How to confidently find healthy, unprocessed foods at the store.
    Nutritional Guidelines: Make sure you meet all your nutritional needs!
    Kitchen Essentials: Learn to create a place where you'll LOVE to cook!

    Buy it now for only $18.95 $9.95!

     
    Preview & Buy!


    buy Plant Biased on Amazon  

    Customer Reviews
    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.8 out of 5


    31 All-Time Greatest Eats Cookbook!

    For a limited time, I'm giving away a 68-page cookbook of my reader-favorite recipes called my "31 All-Time Greatest Eats"!

    Just click the cover image above or the Download button below and it will take you directly to the PDF!

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Please Leave A Star Review In The Recipe Card! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I'm a plant-based digital nomad mom-of-two living in Malaysia. Meet Faith!

    For a limited time, I'm giving away a free cookbook of my Top 31 recipes!

    Get it while you can!

    Free Download

    Eat Healthy in 2023!

    • Healthy Cookie Dough Overnight Oats

    • zucchini bread baked oatmeal
      Zucchini Bread Baked Oatmeal

    • creamy tomato zucchini soup topped with grilled cheese croutons
      Creamy Vegan Tomato Zucchini Soup

    • Vegan Broccoli Potato Soup (Dairy-Free!)

    • Vegan Soba Noodle Recipe!

    • Refreshing Green Smoothie Recipe!

    Most Popular Recipes

    • whole wheat artisan bread on a cutting board
      Easy Whole Wheat Artisan Bread Recipe

    • Easy Homemade Oatmeal Date Granola Bars

    • Whole Wheat No-Yeast No-Rise Vegan Pizza Dough

    • Sweet and Spicy Roasted Cashews

    • 5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep!

    • two glasses of oat milk next to a jar of oat milk
      Homemade Oat Milk Recipe

    8-Week Plant Biased Meal Plan Cover

    DON'T think about recipe planning for weeks!

    ✅ Save Time

    ✅ Reduce Stress

    ✅ Eat Healthy

    Preview & Buy!

    Sourdough Heaven!

    • Vegan Sourdough Waffles

    • Sourdough Pumpkin Bread (Vegan!)

    • Sourdough Banana Bread

    • Easy Sourdough Muffins

    • Vegan Sourdough Pancakes (6 Ingredients!)

    • Vegan Sourdough Bread (Beginner-Friendly!)

    Footer

    The Conscientious Eater

    • START HERE
    • All Recipes
    • Plant Biased Cookbook
    • 8-Week Meal Plan

    Sponsorship

    Sponsor My Emails
    Sponsor Youtube, IG, Website

    My Recipes

    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes by Cuisine
    • Main Dishes by Recipe Type
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Snacks
    • Breads
    • WIAW

    Important Stuff

    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Accessbility
    • No AI Training
    • Disclosure
    • Contact
    • Some icons from flaticon.com

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 This website was designed using the Seasoned Pro Theme from Feast Design Co.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.