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Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

Vegan Coleslaw Dressing (Oil-Free!)

Jun 22, 2023 by Kaitlin · 2 Comments

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An easy, flavorful Vegan Coleslaw Dressing recipe made dairy-free and oil-free with no mayo! It's creamy, slightly tangy, and so fresh made right at home. Just add cabbage for a quick coleslaw! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Spoon lifting out vegan coleslaw dressing from a small glass jar

Let's make a Vegan Coleslaw Dressing with healthier ingredients and no oil! It's so creamy, rich, and delectable with great flavor.

Instead of standard store-bought mayo, we use a homemade cashew "mayo" with whole food, plant-based ingredients.

The taste is so fresh and delicious when making your own dressings right at home. Plus you can customize the flavors and seasonings just the way you like them.

This dressing is easy to assemble, then you can just add cabbage for a healthy, refreshing side dish! Coleslaw is a classic choice for summertime picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or simply enjoyment at home.

Cashew mayo, vinegar, mustard, lemon, and spice ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for Vegan Coleslaw Dressing

For this recipe you'll whisk together in a small bowl:

  • Cashew mayo: I use my easy homemade Cashew Mayo recipe. (But you can substitute your own favorite vegan mayo if desired.) I like to make this in advance and have it in the fridge for when I'm ready.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Or you can use distilled white vinegar or unseasoned rice vinegar instead.
  • Fresh lemon juice: Just a tablespoon adds some brightness to the dressing. But you can leave it out if you prefer as I find it's not completely necessary.
  • Pure maple syrup: This helps balance out the flavors from the acidity from the vinegar and lemon juice. Use as much or as little as you'd like, or omit it entirely if desired. You can also substitute you own favorite sweetener like agave nectar or vegan honey.
  • Dijon mustard: Or you can substitute stoneground mustard instead.
  • Celery seed: Just a little goes a long way! This is a classic flavor in coleslaw dressing, so I don't recommend leaving it out.
  • Onion powder: You can also add salt and black pepper to taste if needed.
Ingredients in a bowl for vegan coleslaw dressing before mixing together

Customizing

Add poppy seeds: Poppy seeds are often found in classic coleslaw dressing so feel free to add some. I'd suggest starting with 1-2 tablespoons and adjusting from there.

How To Make a Quick Coleslaw

Just add cabbage! This recipe yields one cup dressing. I find that's a great match for 6 cups lightly packed (or about 12 ounces) coleslaw mix. Simply toss the dressing with shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, or both in a large mixing bowl. (A box grater, mandoline, or sharp knife is helpful to shred cabbage.) Or you can look for the convenient pre-shredded coleslaw mix bags at the store.

Expand your slaw: I also like to stir in other slaw veggies like carrot, fresh parsley or cilantro, sliced green onions, sunflower seeds, and slivered almonds. Use whatever sounds good!

Try Kale Slaw! Use this dressing to create a delicious Kale Slaw made with a double-cruciferous blend of cabbage and kale. (It's my favorite!)

Vegan coleslaw dressing mixed together in a glass bowl with metal spoon

Serving

Serve your vegan coleslaw with other summer barbecue favorites such as:

  • Vegan Macaroni Salad
  • Vegan Potato Salad
  • Black Bean Walnut Burgers
  • Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
  • Three Bean Salad
  • Restaurant-Style Blender Salsa
  • Ultimate Greek Chopped Salad

Storing

Store leftovers in a small mason glass jar or other airtight container in the refrigerator. I find it keeps for about 5 days, but use your best judgement.

Metal spoon lifting up coleslaw dressing from a glass jar

For more inspiration, also browse all vegan oil-free salad dressing recipes.

Spoon lifting out vegan coleslaw dressing from a small glass jar

Vegan Coleslaw Dressing (Oil-Free!)

This creamy dressing is rich, flavorful, and made with healthier whole food, plant-based ingredients. Just add cabbage for a quick coleslaw!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup cashew mayo
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. celery seed
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder
  • Optional: poppy seeds, salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir or whisk to combine.
  • Taste and adjust flavors if desired. Can use immediately or refrigerate first to let flavors further develop.

Notes

Yield: Recipe makes about 1 cup dressing.
Storing: Store dressing in a sealed glass jar or airtight container in the fridge. It keeps for about 5 days.
Quick coleslaw: Mix a full batch of this dressing with about 6 cups (lightly packed) shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix. Expand it with carrot, fresh parsley/cilantro, sunflower seeds, or slivered almonds if desired.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Vegan Coleslaw Dressing (Oil-Free!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
75
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
5
g
8
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Potassium
 
97
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
3
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
25
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you are enjoying this oil-free vegan coleslaw dressing recipe, also check out:

  • Vegan Italian Dressing
  • Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing
  • Vegan Ranch Dressing

Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Jennifer says

    August 15, 2024 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! I made this dressing to go with your Creamy Kale Slaw recipe and we loved it. Perfectly tangy and flavourful! Thanks for sharing such an easy to make dressing!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      August 15, 2024 at 8:21 pm

      Yay, Jennifer! Fun to hear you guys enjoyed it with the kale slaw. I'm so appreciative of your sweet comments and helpful feedback on the recipes - thank you!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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