Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

I don’t know about you, but I have a real addiction to the superfood underdog AKA red cabbage. I’m not sure when the cabbage obsession really started (maybe it was from this salad) but now I’m basically convinced that cabbage needs to be in EVERYTHING. Including this epic healthy coleslaw recipe.

Both red and green cabbages help promote a healthy gut (which is what we’re all about these days), fight inflammation, boost your immunity, and contain plenty of nutrients your body needs. CABBAGE PATCH PARTY.

Wait wut.

My favorite thing about cabbage isn’t just the nutrition though. It’s the epic CRUNCH it gives salads and slaws. It’s addicting and I can’t stop putting it in recipes.

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (1)

Is coleslaw healthy?

While coleslaw is really just made up of a bunch of crunchy, colorful vegetables, traditional coleslaw recipes are usually covered in dressings made up of mayo and sugar. In this healthy, paleo coleslaw recipe we’re skipping the mayo entirely and tossing all of the gorgeous veggies with a tangy, slightly sweet dressing made with apple cider vinegar and simple ingredients to keep the coleslaw vegan and dairy free.

Fun fact: I loved coleslaw as a little girl. I’d ask for big bowls of it with lots of black pepper. Dad made a homemade version with lots of mayo. This version isn’t Dad’s but IT IS for all you millennials. Heh.

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (2)

Ingredients in healthy coleslaw

This incredible healthy coleslaw recipe uses fresh ingredients to create a crunchy, bright gut-friendly coleslaw without mayo or sugar. It isn’t your typical coleslaw. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and better than that soggy white coleslaw they serve at restaurants. You’ll need:

  • Produce: I love using both red and green cabbage for extra crunch and a variety of flavors. Then we’re also adding shredded carrots, jalapeño for a kick of heat, green onion for a little zippiness, and fresh cilantro.
  • Nuts: I like to add both pepitas (which are roasted pumpkin seeds) and toasted sliced almonds for a wonderful extra crunch with all of the veggies.
  • Olive oil: a bit of olive oil will help the “dressing” coat all of those gorgeous veggies in the coleslaw.
  • Apple cider vinegar: use apple cider vinegar to add that tangy delicious flavor found in coleslaw recipes. It’s also great for gut health!
  • Pure maple syrup: instead of using granulated sugar like in traditional coleslaw recipes, we’re just using a bit of pure maple syrup to lightly sweeten the coleslaw. Feel free to adjust depending on how sweet you like it.
  • Garlic: a little garlicky flavor makes this healthy coleslaw extra delicious.
  • Cayenne pepper: add a pinch of cayenne for a little extra heat, or feel free to omit.
  • Salt & pepper: to bring all of the flavors together.

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (3)

The best healthy coleslaw in 4 easy steps

  1. Add all of the coleslaw ingredients to a large bowl except for the pepitas, almonds and dressing.
  2. In a smaller bowl, add your dressing ingredients and whisk to combine.
  3. Pour the dressing over the coleslaw and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if need be. Place the coleslaw in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let the flavors marinate.
  4. Before serving, add in the pepitas and toasted almonds and toss to combine.

Storing tips

Store this easy, healthy coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This is an amazing make-ahead recipe for picnics and BBQs because the flavors deepen as the coleslaw marinates!

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (4)

Recipes to pair with this healthy coleslaw

  • Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
  • Jalapeño Curry Turkey Burgers
  • Grilled Jalapeño Cilantro Chicken
  • Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
  • Damn Good BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Jalapeño Cashew Dressing

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (5)

More delicious side dishes

  • Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad
  • How to Grill Delicious Vegetables (4 different ways!)
  • Tony’s Melt-In-Your-Mouth Grilled Brussels Sprouts
  • Caramelized Garlic Carrots with Spicy Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Get all of my side dish recipes here!

If you make this healthy coleslaw recipe, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram. We’d also love if you would leave a comment below and rate the recipe. We appreciate you! xo.

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Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!)

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Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (7)

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

ServesServes 8 servings

The BEST healthy coleslaw made with fresh purple cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and a kick of heat from jalapeño. There's no mayo or sugar, just a naturally sweet and slightly tangy dressing with a hint of pure maple syrup. This simple, healthy coleslaw recipe is vegan, paleo & dairy free and perfect serving with your favorite grilling recipes all summer!

Ingredients

  • For the slaw:
  • 1/2 medium head of purple cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups shredded cabbage)
  • 1/2 medium head of green cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups shredded cabbage)
  • 2 heaping cups shredded carrots
  • 1 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
  • 1/2 cup green onion (green part only)
  • 1/2 cup pepitas
  • 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
  • For the dressing:
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, depending how sweet you like your slaw
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients for the slaw except for the almonds and pepitas to a large bowl.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing. Pour all over the slaw and toss well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Cover and place in fridge for at least an hour to allow flavors to marinate together.

  • Before serving, sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds and pepitas; toss again and serve.

Recipe Notes

How to store coleslaw: store this coleslaw covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. This is an amazing make-ahead recipe for picnics and BBQ's because the flavors deepen as the coleslaw marinates!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 140calCarbohydrates: 14.5gProtein: 4gFat: 8.8gSaturated Fat: 1gFiber: 4.6gSugar: 8.4g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by:Eat Love Eats

This post was originally published on May 18th, 2020, and republished on May 25th, 2023.

Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar for coleslaw? ›

However, there is a best vinegar to use, and it's apple cider vinegar. The reason is threefold: taste, chemical makeup, and health benefits. Though there's no shortage of other types of vinegar, none has this ideal trifecta to best complement your cabbage and its other coleslaw vegetable ingredients.

Is coleslaw healthy for you? ›

In addition to improving immunity, detoxifying the body, and aiding in digestion, coleslaw also provides vitamin K. Vitamin K is abundantly present in cabbage and it can store minerals in the bones. Through its bone mineralization properties, vitamin K can help improve bone health.

How long does coleslaw last without mayo? ›

Dressed coleslaw will last up to two days in the fridge. It will wilt and release additional liquid, but will still retain some crunch.

What is KFC's coleslaw made of? ›

There are only 3 vegetables: You can buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw and finely chop that, if you prefer. But keep in mind that true KFC Coleslaw only contains green cabbage, carrots, and onions, so don't use the packaged cabbage that has red cabbage or any herbs.

Which is better for weight loss, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

Apple cider vinegar is good for your health. It can help you lose weight, control blood sugar, and keep your stomach healthy. It has good bacteria in it. White vinegar doesn't have the same health benefits.

Which vinegar is best for weight loss? ›

Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat.

What makes coleslaw go bad? ›

And that's true, perishable food does need to be refrigerated. However, it's actually not the mayo that makes coleslaw exceptionally susceptible to spoilage at warmer temperatures — it's the cabbage. In the realm of food safety, most vegetables (cabbage included) are known as low-acid foods.

Is KFC coleslaw healthy? ›

Nutritional Information

Sixty calories are derived from fat, however KFC cole slaw contains no trans fats. There is no cholesterol either. There are 21 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of dietary fiber. KFC cole slaw also contains 135 mg sodium, suggesting a heavy hand with the salt shaker.

Is coleslaw bad for cholesterol? ›

Switching from saturated fats to unsaturated fats like vegetable oils and opting for yogurt rather than mayonnaise in your coleslaw can help lower cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

What is dixie coleslaw? ›

Description: Southern style cut cabbage spun dry for crispness. Mix in salad dressing, carrots and sugar for a truly one-of-a-kind coleslaw. Nutrition Facts. servings per container.

Why is KFC's coleslaw so good? ›

KFC's coleslaw stands out because of its sweet and tangy dressing, but the slaw's texture is what makes it one of a kind. The very finely chopped cabbage and carrots are a stark contrast to the typical stringy shredded veggies found in bagged coleslaw mix.

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Which is better to cook with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? ›

Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar make good substitutes for one another in most cooking applications, but the former is significantly more tart. In many cases, you can also use these vinegars as substitutes for other types of vinegar.

Does apple cider vinegar work as well as white vinegar for cleaning? ›

Is apple cider vinegar or white vinegar better for cleaning? Both ACV and white vinegar are effective natural cleaners. ACV doesn't smell as harsh as white vinegar, but since white vinegar is slightly more acidic than ACV, it's a stronger cleaning agent.

Can I substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar? ›

White vinegar substitute: If you need a different vinegar to substitute for white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar. You could also swap in lemon or lime juice, depending on your recipe. When you're canning or pickling, there are no comparable substitutes.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white wine vinegar for salad dressing? ›

Apple cider vinegar makes a great 1:1 substitution for white wine vinegar in any dish that might benefit from sour apple notes. Try it in German potato salad or warm farro salad, or use it in the pickling liquid for giardiniera or the marinade for sheet pan honey-Dijon chicken and vegetables.

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