The Best Tangy Vinegar Coleslaw (no mayo recipe)
This classic Vinegar Coleslaw is a healthy coleslaw recipe without mayonnaise. This vinegar coleslaw recipe uses simple ingredients. It’s the perfect addition to your summer barbecues!
I think there’s a lot of comfort in making and eating a long-time family recipe. I’ve been eating this particular vinegar based coleslaw recipe for almost 30 years, and I now serve it to my son. This is a very tangy, very sweet coleslaw with no mayo used!
“This is my favorite recipe for cole slaw. I add jalapeños to it for a kick. Perfect for pulled pork or brisket sandwiches.“
Caron, Pinterest
This type of vinegar slaw is super popular in the area I grew up in. This classic coleslaw recipe makes a great addition to your barbecue meals. I think it’s the best coleslaw for pulled pork sandwiches, and it makes a delicious side dish for pulled pork!
“This is the only slaw I make now. The recipe is perfect every time. The slaw is very good on fish tacos. Thank you for a fresh side dish. Love it!”
Debra, Pinterest User
Most of my family is from the rural part of central Missouri, and growing up, my weekends in the summer and fall revolved around going to various church picnics with my parents. These picnics were an excuse to socialize and drink beer, no doubt, and were the main fundraisers for the church.
But they were also fun for kids. We bet on turtle races (seriously), played bingo, and got into mischief. My favorite part of these gatherings was no doubt the food! Groups of ladies and gentleman would work away for days to prepare a feast. The typical menu was fried chicken and country ham, homemade mashed potatoes with chicken gravy, and this crunchy cabbage salad.
My favorite part of these picnics was this tangy vinegar based coleslaw made with crunchy cabbage. Well, and of course, all of the homemade pie you could eat!
At these outdoor summer gatherings, they wouldn’t use mayo in the coleslaw because these dishes would sit out in the heat for long periods of time! Makes sense, right? Another super popular dish was a cucumber salad that used the same vinegar based dressing as this slaw!
“I left out the onions and we’re completely ok with this. My hubby is still singing my praises for such a tasty coleslaw. It’s a southern thang!”
Teri, Pinterest
“This was very good. I usually make mayonnaise based coleslaw, so this was a nice change. Put it on a sliced pork sandwich.👌🏼 The only changes I made were cooked on the stove to dissolve sugar. And used celery salt.”
Kris, Pinterest
Even at a young age, I knew I was experiencing something special. Something that you rarely see in larger cities, a strong sense of community brought together by games, great food, and of course, simple recipes like this!
Substitutions
Like any recipe, you can make substitutions as needed, especially for the delicious dressing! Here are a few suggestions:
- If you do not have tangy apple cider vinegar, use white vinegar or rice wine vinegar
- Instead of vegetable oil, you can use canola oil or avocado oil
- Add additional shredded vegetables for extra nutrition.
- Add finely chopped green onion- it adds so much flavor!
- Add small carrots (shredded) or diced green pepper
- Use red cabbage or mix red and green cabbage together for extra color
- Add a teaspoon of poppy seeds
Storing Leftovers:
I think that this delicious recipe is even better the next day! Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This coleslaw recipe will not freeze well.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this delicious vinegar coleslaw alongside Smoked Pulled Pork (Beer and Apple Basted) or Crispy Grilled Chicken Quarters with Apricot BBQ Sauce!
If you need another BBQ-friendly side dish, try The Best Crunchy Broccoli Salad!
Love this vinegar based coleslaw recipe? Try my Cilantro Lime Coleslaw or Cabbage, Radish and Apple Cole Slaw recipe.
Vinegar Based Coleslaw (No Mayo Coleslaw)
Sweet and tangy vinegar based cole slaw recipe, with no mayo.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix (about 8 cups)
- 2 tablespoons very finely diced white onion
For the dressing:
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
- 1.5 tablespoons water
- 1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ⅛ teaspoons celery seed
- ⅛ teaspoon powdered mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or mason jar, add together the ingredients for the dressing; sugar, cider vinegar, water, oil, celery seed, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until well combined.
- To a large bowl, add cabbage and onions. Pour dressing over the top and toss well to coat.
- Cover, and chill in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
NOTE: This recipe the traditional recipe handed down to me from my family. It is a SWEET and tangy dressing. If you are fearful that it will be too sweet, start with half the recommended sugar. You can always add, but it's hard to take away!
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 8Amount Per Serving Calories 90Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 1mgSodium 67mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 1gSugar 11gProtein 1g
The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app and may be incorrect.
I am such a sucker for a good slaw recipe! It is a summertime staple!
Yes, it is! Thanks Annie!
Oh my, this looks gooood! And I’m loving your typical church picnic menu!
Thanks Annie!
I am so glad to hear it doesn’t use mayo! YUM!
Yes! I don’t mind creamy slaw, but this stuff is the bomb!
I don’t eat mayo so I am so happy to see this recipe, can’t wait to try it!
I’m surprised at how many people don’t like mayo! Glad I shared this recipe for all you all! 🙂
This looks like my kind of cole slaw – I really don’t like the creamy ones. This one looks fantastic!
I’ve never liked coleslaw because of the mayo. I am looking forward to making yours, it looks delicious!
Thank you, Mary!
This is just like the coleslaw I’ve grown up eating. Looks great and now I’m craving a barbecue sandwich with coleslaw 🙂
Yes! This is sooooo good slapped on top of bbq!
Takes me back to sitting on the front porch steps of Grandma’s house, with a Chinet paper plate full of slaw, watermelon, buttery french bread, Aunt Diane’s broccoli rice casserole, and cherry fried pies.
Ditto. Something a bit magical about that food!
What a great recipe, and just in time for the holiday weekend bbq. I love a good cole slaw!
These are such pretty photos. I love that this recipe uses a sweet and sour base instead of mayonnaise. I bet I would love it!
Cole slaw is one of my favorite foods and your recipe sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
And it’s gluten and lactose free, which is great for those of us who can’t have those ingredients.
Yes, great point!
I love Cole slaw; I mean, come on, it’s my last name 😉 And that dressing on it looks like pure tangy deliciousness! Great recipe Michelle!
Hi there, I’ve been looking for a non mayo based coleslaw and have come across a few close to this recipe but the other ones say to cook the dressing until the sugar dissolves but yours doesn’t . Any thoughts ? I really don’t want to cook it haha. Does your dressings have a grainy texture from the sugar ?
It doesn’t have a grainy texture at all! I do what my Mom did, which is put it in a jar and shake it like crazy! 🙂 It dissolves just fine. I’ve never had an issue with the texture!
Which oil taste better ? I hoping your answer is olive oil or veg oil. Or do you not prefer either one. ?
Hi Lisa! For this recipe, I use vegetable oil. I think olive oil would work well, too!
I love this cole slaw and the memories it has brought back for you. In my own case, our neighborhood does have an annual block party and a few other parties during the year that similarly keep up a community spirit. I wish I’d seen this recipe last week, I would have brought it to last Sunday’s block party:)
Your neighborhood sounds great! And yes, this is perfect for hot outdoor gatherings, it keeps so well!
This is the only kind of coleslaw I’ll eat. Love the mayo free version!
Cole slaw is one of my all time favorites. It tastes like home!
I’m with you Elena! 🙂
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I need a recipe for a batch for about 70 people, could you help me with that?
Hi Nicole, give this a try!
3 cups sugar
2.25 cups cider vinegar
13.5 tbsp water
13.5 tbsp oil
1 and 1/8 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp powdered mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
126 ounces shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix (this should be about 18 cups). A prepared package at the store is normally 16 ounces, if you’d like to buy it pre shredded!
18 tbsp very finely diced white onions
I hope this works!
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