This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
This Vegan Coleslaw is a lightened up version of the classic we all love. It's mayo-free, yet it's still so rich, creamy, and tangy. It'll be a hit at your next barbeque, picnic, or potluck!
I've been getting a lot of requests for an oil-free Vegan Coleslaw Recipe over the last few weeks. And since I've made so many creamy-based dressings that are oil-free, I knew this would be an easy recipe to deliver. I'm very happy with the final results and excited to share it with you guys.
Coleslaw is pretty nutritious because it's mostly made up of raw veggies, but when it's doused in a ton of mayo, it's not so healthy anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'll still eat mayo-based coleslaw any day of the week (vegan, of course), but it's nice to make lightened up versions of my favorite recipes, too.
If you're trying to reduce the amount of oil in your diet, a good place to start is the salad dressing. Keep a few of your favorites on hand and use it for dipping, sandwiches, wraps, marinade, pasta, potatoes, stir-fry, and more.
Some of my favorite oil-free dressings are this Creamy Italian Dressing, Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing, and Thousand Island Dressing. I'll be posting lots more in the future, too!
INGREDIENTS FOR THE VEGAN COLESLAW DRESSING
Even though this slaw is mayo-free and oil-free, it's still super creamy and rich, just like a classic coleslaw recipe. For the creamy consistency, I used Raw Cashews, Unsweetened Non-Dairy Yogurt, and Unsweetened Non-Dairy milk.
I prefer the taste of So Delicious Yogurt over any other brand. It has a neutral flavor and I use it for so many sweet and savory recipes. It works perfectly in my Vegan Cream Cheese. If you can't find the So Delicious brand, try to find another coconut-based one.
For that classic tangy and subtly sweet flavor, I added Lemon Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, and Agave Nectar. Then I added Fresh Garlic, Onion Powder, Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper to add that finishing touch.
This dressing is very easy to customize, so feel free to add or omit some ingredients to suit your taste. It's best to start conservative and you can add from there.
HOW TO MAKE THE DRESSING
It's so easy to make! Just soak the cashews in water for 2-4 hours or you can soften them in very hot water. Just boil water and then remove pot from heat, add the cashews and cover for 15-20 minutes.
When you're ready to make the dressing, add the cashews to a blender (discard soaking water first), then blend them up with the rest of the dressing ingredients. Blend on high until creamy and smooth. Now place it in the fridge to chill while you prepare your veggies.
WHAT VEGGIES GO IN A VEGAN COLESLAW?
The ingredients are pretty basic, you'll need green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and parsley. Feel free to amp it up to your liking. Sometimes I'll add green onion and a little basil or cilantro too.
HOW TO PREP THE VEGGIES
You'll want to shred the cabbage fairly thin so it softens up nicely. It's pretty easy to do, just make sure you have a sturdy working surface and a sharp chef's knife. This article on How To Shred Cabbage might be helpful to you. It has step-by-step photos too.
You can skip this entire step and buy everything pre-shredded (except the parsley, that needs to be chopped). I usually buy the carrots pre-cut because it saves so much time and my carrots always look a little wonky. So those perfect carrots above are store-bought. Amen! Do what works for you, too!
HOW TO ASSEMBLE
To a large mixing bowl, add the shredded cabbage, carrots, and chopped parsley. Toss to combine well. Now pour on 1 cup of dressing and toss to coat. Check for desired consistency and add more dressing if needed.
I usually add the whole batch of dressing, because I like it super creamy, but if you're unsure, you can just add more after the coleslaw has chilled too.
Cover and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to let the flavors marinate. Toss once more before serving. Taste for flavor and add more if needed. Top with fresh cracked pepper and more parsley if desired.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH COLESLAW
You can serve it as a side to pretty much any meal. It goes exceptionally well with, Vegan Sloppy Joes, Burgers, and Hot Dogs. AND it makes a great filling or topping, too! You can add it to Tacos, Spring Rolls, Salads, and more!
I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you make this Vegan Coleslaw Recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.
Recipe
Creamy Vegan Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1 large head green cabbage , finely shredded (about 9-10 cups)
- ½ small head red cabbage , finely shredded (about 2 cups)
- 1 ½ cups carrots , shredded
- ÂĽ cup parsley , finely chopped
Dressing
- ½ cup raw cashews , soaked in water for 2-4 hours (*see note)
- ½ cup non-dairy yogurt , unsweetened
- ½ cup non-dairy milk , unsweetend
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice , fresh squeezed
- 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2-3 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1 clove garlic (sub ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper , to taste
Instructions
Dressing
- Add all dressing ingredients to a high-speed blender (discard cashew soaking water). Blend on high until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust flavors if needed. * Keep in mind, that the flavors will be concentrated, but it will be covering a lot of vegetables.
Coleslaw
- To a large mixing bowl, add the cabbage, carrots, and parsley. Toss to combine. Now pour on 1 cup of dressing and toss to coat. Check for desired consistency and add more dressing if needed (I usually add the whole batch). You can always add more after the coleslaw has chilled too.
- Cover and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to let the flavors marinate. Toss once more before serving. Taste for flavor and add more if needed. Top with fresh cracked pepper and more parsley if desired.
Smaranda Alecu
Amazing coleslaw recipe ! 🤍 makes me eat my veggies & enjoy it. So easy to make. It has perfect quantities. ( For second batch I used extra garlic & onion and didn’t came out so good..🙄)
Melissa Huggins
I'm so happy you loved the recipe. Thanks you for trying it and sharing your feedback. 🙂
Stacey
I made this for a bbq today. Everyone was impressed with the flavor without mayo. Thank you for a refreshing and light recipeđź’—
Melissa Huggins
You're most welcome, Stacey. I'm so happy it was a hit. Thanks for trying it out 🙂
Rors
This is lovely and creamy, couldn't stop chomping down on it.
Excellent coleslaw. All they have around here is white cabbage
but the flavour made up for the lack of colour!
Melissa Huggins
I am glad you loved it Rors. Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
Nora Boyle
Thanks for this! It’s perfect.
Melissa Huggins
You are welcome. Nora! I am happy you enjoyed it.
Maren
This Cole slaw sounds soooooo good! I'm going to buy EVERYTHING to make this as soon as I Get to the store <3 <3 <3
Melissa Huggins
Yay! Thank you, Maren! 🙂
Donna Kay
Yummy creamy dressing.
Melissa Huggins
Thank you so much 🙂
Nancy Greider
I made a double batch because I thought this would just be a great salad dressing for all kinds of salads as well as a topping for potatoes and veggies . I just finished blending it, tasted it and will dress my cole slaw with part of it and keep the rest in the refrigerator
Melissa Hasart
This is the 3rd recipe I've tried for a dairy-free, mayo-free coleslaw recipe. It's by far the best one I've tried. I substituted the dairy-free yogurt with coconut cream and used coconut milk as my dairy-free milk. I substituted honey for the agave. This will be my go-to coleslaw recipe from now on. I will share this recipe on a couple facebook pages.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Melissa, yay, I'm so glad to hear this! Thank you for making it and sharing your modifications. 🙂
Judy
Wow! This recipe has to be one of the best vegan recipes I have had!! It is delicious! Thank you so very much for creating and sharing Melissa!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Judy, thank you so much! I'm so happy that you liked it! Have a wonderful week 🙂