Easy Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe with a fresh, zesty dressing is the cool kid at any picnic or barbecue. This healthier coleslaw recipe is vibrant and tastes refreshing!

Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe - a simple, flavorful coleslaw recipe to use as a side dish, condiment, in salads, sandwiches, wraps, etc.

Coleslaw. 

Can you imagine pulled pork without it?? Would you feel remiss if the next barbecue you attended was coleslaw-free? 

While I can absolutely get on board with coleslaw with a classic mayo dressing, I equally love a tangy, garlicky, herby coleslaw without the mayo. Both have carved out a pivotal place at any gathering.

What we have here is a mayo-free coleslaw recipe that is dressed with an Italian style dressing. Nothing fancy or pretentious…just a lot of fresh veg and a whole lotta flavor.

For me, this mayo-free coleslaw serves an important purpose, as I use it in many different ways! Itโ€™s used as a side dish alongside any baked, grilled, or smoked protein, I add it to green salads to enhance the crunch and flavor, use it in sandwiches or wraps, and I even cook it into my daily batch of sautรฉed vegetables to get more variety and flavor.

In this sense, Iโ€™m never afraid to have leftover coleslaw as it gets used quicker than youโ€™d imagine AND I never get tired of it!

This batch is the perfect size for generously serving 4 to 6 people and is venture to guess you could stretch that to 8 to 10 depending on the level of hunger your people harbor. 

Letโ€™s chat about the ingredients, because it isnโ€™t your standard approach!

Easy Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe - few ingredients, light, vibrant, delicious slaw

Ingredients for Mayo-Free Coleslaw:

Vegetables: green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, green onion. This combination makes a pretty slaw, filled with sweet and zingy flavors. You can easily just go with green cabbage if youโ€™d like, but I love the added health benefits of red cabbage and I think itโ€™s very pretty!

You know what would make this even easier? Using those pre-packaged chopped coleslaw mixes you can find in the produce section of the grocery store. I personally donโ€™t mind the chopping, but if youโ€™re pressed for time, buying one of the pre-chopped mixes may be a great option. 

Coleslaw Dressing: Very similar to an Italian salad dressing, we use avocado oil, lemon juice (or rice vinegar), fresh garlic, pure maple syrup (omit for whole30/keto), onion powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper.

Sliced or chopped almonds: For that amazing, irresistible crunch! You can leave these out depending on how youโ€™re planning on serving the slaw…if itโ€™s being used as a simple side dish or youโ€™re adding it to a salad, the almonds add an amazing crunch and nutty flavor! If youโ€™re using it as more of a condiment for sandwiches, I personally would leave them out. You can also use pumpkin seeds, pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds. 

Easy fresh Coleslaw Recipe from scratch - no mayo or cane sugar! A healthy, delicious vibrant coleslaw recipe

How to Make Mayo-Free Coleslaw:

How to Make Coleslaw Dressing: Add the ingredients for the dressing to a bowl (or blend in a small blender) and whisk very well until combined. Refrigerate until ready to use. Note: the dressing itself becomes even more flavorful over time, so feel free to make it a few days in advance! 

Mayo-free coleslaw dressing

Thinly slice the cabbage, grate the carrots, and chop the green onion and add everything to a mixing bowl. 

Add the vegetables for the coleslaw to a mixing bowl

Pour in all of the dressing and toss until everything is well coated. Taste for flavor and add more sea salt, and/or lemon juice to taste.

Pour the coleslaw dressing into the mixing bowl with the veggies

Just before youโ€™re ready to serve, toss in the almonds. 

Serve with your main entrรฉe and enjoy! 

Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe - a healthier coleslaw recipe with no mayonnaise and no cane sugar. Amazing as a side dish, on sandwiches, burgers, in wraps and salads, etc.

Is Coleslaw Keto or Low-Carb?:

So long as your coleslaw doesnโ€™t include a lot of added sweetener, it is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly (provided you donโ€™t eat a ton of it). Cabbage and carrots do contain carbohydrate, but also fiber. Just be sure to be mindful of your carbohydrate needs if you follow a low-carb ketogenic diet.

Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe - a simple, flavorful coleslaw recipe to use as a side dish, condiment, in salads, sandwiches, wraps, etc.

What will you do with your delicious slaw??

Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe - a simple, flavorful coleslaw recipe to use as a side dish, condiment, in salads, sandwiches, wraps, etc.

Mayo-Free Coleslaw

4.59 from 24 votes
Quick, easy, vibrant and delicious healthier coleslaw is a great side dish, but also amazing on sandwiches, burgers, in salads, wraps, and more!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients

Coleslaw:

  • 4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
  • 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
  • 1 cup grated carrot
  • 5 green onions chopped
  • ยฝ cup sliced almonds or chopped raw almonds optional

For the Mayo-Free Coleslaw Dressing:

  • โ…“ cup avocado oil
  • โ…“ cup lemon juice or rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup optional
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ยฝ tsp onion powder
  • ยฝ tsp dried oregano
  • ยฝ tsp dried parsley
  • ยผ tsp black pepper
  • ยฝ tsp sea salt to taste

Instructions

  • How to Make Coleslaw Dressing: Add the ingredients for the dressing to a bowl (or blend in a small blender) and whisk very well until combined. Refrigerate until ready to use. Note: the dressing itself becomes even more flavorful over time, so feel free to make it a few days in advance!ย 
  • Thinly slice the cabbage, grate the carrots, and chop the green onion and add everything to a mixing bowl.ย 
  • Pour in all of the dressing and toss until everything is well coated. Taste for flavor and add more sea salt, and/or lemon juice to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6 ยท Calories: 193kcal ยท Carbohydrates: 15g ยท Protein: 2g ยท Fat: 15g ยท Fiber: 4g ยท Sugar: 6g
Author: Julia
Course: Salads, Side Dish, Side Dishes & Snacks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: coleslaw, healthy coleslaw, mayo free, side dish, slaw, summer salad
Did You Make This Recipe?I want to see it! Tag @the.roasted.root on social media!
Mayo-Free Coleslaw Recipe with a zesty dressing is a refreshing side dish or condiment! Serve it up at your barbecue!

Julia Mueller
Meet the Author

Julia Mueller

Julia Mueller is a recipe developer, cookbook author, and founder of The Roasted Root. She has authored three bestselling cookbooks, – Paleo Power Powers, Delicious Probiotic Drinks, and The Quintessential Kale Cookbook. Her recipes have been featured in several national publications such as BuzzFeed, Self, Tasty, Country Living, Brit.co, etc.

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