Table of Contents
  1. Why I Love to Make This Coleslaw Dressing
  2. Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients
  3. How to Make Coleslaw Dressing
  4. Recipe Tips
  5. Serving & Storage Tips
  6. More Sauce Recipes
  7. Watch How to Make This Recipe
  8. Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
  9. Coleslaw Dressing Recipe

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This tangy no-mayo coleslaw dressing is sweet, zesty, and perfect for any slaw. Made with pantry staples, it blends up in minutes and keeps well for make-ahead meals.

Kaleb Wyse wearing black shirt with a tan background.

Why I Love to Make This Coleslaw Dressing

I love to eat straight from the garden all summer long. All the fresh vegetables are super delicious, and summer is so conducive to light, fresh meals! My favorite go-to is a simple cabbage salad with this quick vinaigrette-type dressing, my Grandma Conrad’s recipe, poured over the top.

I keep a jar of this in my fridge and keep replenishing it all season.

I love how this version of coleslaw dressing (what we always lovingly called cabbage dressing) brings the same nostalgic flavor that you’re used to, but with a modern touch. It’s quick to blend together, full of pantry staples, and works just as well over kale or broccoli slaw as it does in a classic cabbage mix.

What sets this dressing apart is its balance of flavors. The acidity of distilled white vinegar, the subtle sweetness of honey, and a bit of celery seed and dry mustard come together to create a dressing that’s both vibrant and totally unique. Blending in a small onion not only adds depth but also gives the dressing a creamy texture without any dairy!

Here are 4 reasons to love this dressing recipe:

  • No mayo – perfect for warm-weather gatherings
  • Super fast – ready in 5 minutes with zero chopping if you have a prepped onion
  • Versatile – pairs wonderfully with cabbage, kale, or as a twist on your favorite salads
  • Make-ahead friendly – stores well and gets better as it rests
Cabbage with a creamy coleslaw dressing being poured over the top.

Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients

This dressing has simple ingredients, but each one has a purpose. Here’s what makes this dressing magic:

  • Distilled white vinegar adds sharp acidity and brightness that defines this dressing.
  • Honey brings natural sweetness that balances the vinegar without overpowering. You can leave out the honey if you don’t want to add any natural sugar, but I think it’s definitely needed in this recipe!
  • Neutral oil, like safflower or grapeseed oil, gives the dressing body and smoothness.
  • Celery seed adds subtle warmth and a hint of traditional coleslaw flavor.
  • Dry mustard offers a gentle tang and spice that elevates the dressing.
  • Kosher salt enhances all the other flavors and rounds out the sweetness.
  • Onion blended into the dressing gives natural body and just a hint of bite. The onion is what makes this dressing the no-mayo wonder that it is!

The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

Surface with ingredients to make a coleslaw dressing including onion, vinegar, honey, and more.

How to Make Coleslaw Dressing

The process to make this dressing couldn’t be simpler!

Step 1: Add ingredients to a blender: Combine vinegar, honey, neutral oil, celery seed, dry mustard, salt, and roughly chopped onion.

Step 2: Blend until smooth: Process until fully emulsified and the onion is completely incorporated. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe Tips

  • Blend thoroughly so the onion is smooth and fully incorporated. This gives the dressing its wonderful creamy texture without the use of any dairy.
  • Use a high-power blender if you prefer an ultra-smooth consistency.
  • Taste and adjust. Add a pinch more salt or honey if desired for balance. That’s the great thing about dressings: they can be customized immediately for your own personal preferences.

Serving & Storage Tips

Toss just before serving to keep your cabbage mix (or other veggies) from getting soggy.

Pairs perfectly with shredded cabbage, broccoli slaw, or kale for a lighter twist.

Store in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks. Shake before each use to re-emulsify.

Green bowl filled with coleslaw dressing with spoon scooping out a serving.

Watch How to Make This Recipe

YouTube video

Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?

I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!

Spoon drizzling dressing over the top of shredded cabbage in a bowl.

Coleslaw Dressing

5 from 11 votes
This tangy no-mayo coleslaw dressing is sweet, zesty, and perfect for any slaw. Made with pantry staples, it blends up in minutes and keeps well for make-ahead meals.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 16 tbsp

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • ¾ cup neutral oil
  • 1 tsp celery seed
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 small onion roughly chopped (about ¼ cup)

Instructions
 

  • In the container of a blender or a large bowl (if using a handheld immersion blender), place the vinegar, honey, neutral oil, celery seed, dry mustard, salt, and chopped onion.
    ¼ cup distilled white vinegar, 3 tbsp honey, ¾ cup neutral oil, 1 tsp celery seed, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 small onion
  • Process until fully emulsified and the onion is completely incorporated. Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 85kcal
Course Dressing
Cuisine American
Difficulty Easy
Method Mixing

Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson

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Kaleb

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

Learn more about me
5 from 11 votes (7 ratings without comment)

8 Comments

  1. I watch you everyday I absolutely love all your moms and granny’s recipes. You and your little French boy help me plant and harvest. You are a part of my life and I think you for being you, your momma did right.

  2. Hi Kaleb, just wondering what is salad oil and celery seed.
    Thanks
    Obviously I’m not from America 😁

    1. On his Instagram he mentioned using a neutral oil (avocado, safflower, grapeseed).

  3. 5 stars
    Thanks so much for this luscious coleslaw recipe!
    I have made it twice and think it’s so good I’m tempted to eat it by the spoonful!
    Enjoy your summer. Love your show and upbeat attitude. You’re a breath of fresh air, Kaleb!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this dressing and used it on cabbage for our 4th of July bbq dinner – oh my goodness, it was soooooo good! I can’t wait to try it on some tomatoes tomorrow!

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