This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
This homemade coleslaw dressing recipe is so delicious and better than anything store-bought! It’s creamy with the ideal balance of tangy and sweet, and it takes only 5 minutes to make.
Coleslaw isn’t the most obsession-worthy of foods, but hear us out. Alex and I cannot get enough of this coleslaw dressing. Why? This recipe is so, so flavorful, creamy with the perfect balance of savory and sweet. There’s a little less mayo than most coleslaw recipes and it has just a touch of maple syrup to help the flavor pop.
I didn’t realize how much I loved coleslaw until we made this recipe. The way this coleslaw dressing compliments the cabbage without being too sweet or too rich makes it into one of our ideal side dishes!
Ingredient notes for coleslaw dressing
This homemade coleslaw dressing recipe could not be easier to make: it takes just 5 minutes to whip up. Here are the major components of the dressing and how they all work together:
- Mayonnaise. Mayo adds the finishing touch for coleslaw! To give this dressing a healthier spin, there’s less mayo than most coleslaw dressing recipes: it’s just enough to coat the cabbage and bring big flavor. If you eat a vegan diet, you can substitute vegan mayo.
- Apple cider vinegar. The classic coleslaw dressing recipe is all about tang. Apple cider vinegar brings in that classic flavor.
- Maple syrup. To balance it out, coleslaw dressing needs a little sweet. But most coleslaw dressing recipes use a ton of refined sugar! Instead, we’ve used just a touch of maple syrup to keep it naturally sweet. You can substitute sugar if it’s all you have.
- Chili powder & dried dill. The flavor maker! These spices are not in the standard coleslaw dressing, but they bring the most unique, delicious flavor to this dressing.
How to serve coleslaw dressing
Of course, the best and easiest way to serve this coleslaw dressing recipe is on coleslaw! The basic formula is that this dressing makes enough for about 9 cups of shredded cabbage and carrots. That’s roughly 20 ounces or almost 1.5 pounds of coleslaw mix. Here are some of our favorite slaws to drizzle it on:
- Best Coleslaw Yep, it really is the best! Green and red cabbage, carrots, and the perfect coating of this dressing.
- Red Cabbage Slaw All you need for this slaw is a red cabbage and a red onion. Oh, and this magic coleslaw dressing!
- Broccoli Slaw This spin-off on coleslaw is made with broccoli stems and it’s truly irresistible!
- Other ways: Drizzle it over a salad, or even use it to spread on bread in a sandwich instead of mayonnaise.
Dietary notes
This coleslaw dressing recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweet, and refined sugar free. For vegan and plant-based, use vegan mayo.
Coleslaw Dressing (Quick & Easy!)
This homemade coleslaw dressing recipe is so delicious and better than anything store-bought! It’s creamy with the ideal balance of tangy and sweet, and it takes only 5 minutes to make.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2/3 cup 1x
- Category: Dressings
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise (vegan mayo as needed)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or sugar)
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Keep whisking after the mayo gets lumpy, until the mixture comes to a creamy consistency. Store refrigerated.
- To make with coleslaw, combine the dressing recipe with 8 cups shredded cabbage and 1 cup shredded carrots, or approximately 20 ounces / 1.5 pounds of coleslaw mix. Head to our Best Coleslaw Recipe for more!
A few more dressings
There are so many great salad dressing recipes to choose from! Here are some of our all time favorites:
- This Green Goddess Dressing takes less than five minutes to make and is great on salads or as a vegetable dip.
- You’ll want to use this Cilantro Lime Dressing on everything: salads, tacos, fries, and more.
- This Honey Mustard Dressing tastes incredible: all you need is 5 minutes and 4 ingredients.
Delicious ,
I must say this recipe is amazing! I’m so please with maple syrup and not sugar in it!!! Beyond thrilled! My new go to recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!
Been looking my whole life for a coleslaw dressing that I liked & didn’t use much if any sugar. Lately been substituting sugar in many recipes with maple syrup, so that is how I found your recipe. When I saw the seasonings, I questioned if I would like it. However, amazing and delish! I would never have thought those chili & dill would work. Brilliant! I now make coleslaw practically every week using your recipe.
Love this! Thank you for commenting :)
Made this dressing with a Wegman’s bag of broccoli slaw – delish!!!!
Wow, this was really good. I thought chili powder and dill with maple syrup Whaaat? I used real maple syrup and stuck to the recipe. Would defiantly make this again
So glad you enjoyed!