Healthy Vinegar Coleslaw

A Vinegar Based Coleslaw you can serve with almost anything! This secretly healthy coleslaw is light, delicious & quick to make with NO mayo!

Vinegar based coleslaw in a large bowl with more ingredients on the side.

This healthy coleslaw recipe is a fantastic topping to slow cooker pulled pork and sandwiches made with crockpot bbq chicken, or an easy side with your weeknight dinner!

It comes together in minutes and couldn’t be easier to make.

Whether you prefer your coleslaw creamy or plain, we have you covered with options for both (no mayo necessary!) While we like our healthy creamy coleslaw, the vinegar based version is so much lighter and just as delicious!

Table of Contents

Close up of vinegar based coleslaw on a plate with bbq shredded chicken and orzo salad on the side.

Enjoy this fresh, healthy side dish at your next summer barbeque or potluck!

3 reasons to make vinegar based coleslaw

I’ll be honest, I’ve never liked coleslaw until we started making it this way. Here’s why you should try it!

No mayo – I’m not a fan of mayo at all (the texture gives me the ick!) If you’re like me and can’t stand mayo, this recipe will be great for you.
Easy to make – Whisk together a few pantry staples and toss it with a bag of coleslaw mix, it’s that simple!
Great way to get in extra veggies – I’m always looking for ways to get more veggies in, and this coleslaw is really flavorful. I can easily eat 2-3 cups of veggies this way.

Ingredients for this recipe

Here’s what we use to make the best vinegar coleslaw:

honey – hot honey or maple syrup also work well
lemon juice – don’t use the bottled kind, squeeze them fresh (it really makes a difference)
vinegar – white wine vinegar works best here, but you can also sub apple cider vinegar
extra virgin olive oil – gives the coleslaw a little bit of richness
dijon mustard – we also like this with whole grain mustard!
salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika
coleslaw mix – almost all grocery stores sell the preshredded cabbage/carrot mix – it’s way too much work to cut up yourself, save the time and effort, and just buy a bag of it!

Greek yogurt is optional if you want to make a healthy creamy coleslaw – notes on how to do that are included below!

You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.

Ingredients for vinegar coleslaw in small bowls: honey, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, coleslaw mix

ingredient substitutions and recipe variations

Honey: If you like a little bit of spice, try hot honey. You can also use maple syrup instead of honey.

Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. You’ll need 1-2 lemons.

White Wine Vinegar: You can substitute distilled white vinegar (will have a more vinegar-y taste!) or apple cider vinegar interchangeably.

Olive Oil: You can substitute with avocado oil.

Dijon Mustard: You can swap dijon mustard with regular yellow mustard or whole grain mustard.

Coleslaw mix: If you’re feeling ambitious, you can cut up your own vegetables for coleslaw.. but that’s not something I’ve ever done. This is one of those things where I take the easy way out, skip the mess – and buy a bag of the precut kind! 🙂

How to Make Vinegar Slaw

Vinegar coleslaw dressing in a clear large bowl.

In a large bowl, combine all of your wet ingredients and whisk together until combined. Add your dry seasonings and whisk again until combined.

Healthy vinegar coleslaw in a large clear bowl before being mixed together.

Add your coleslaw mix to the bowl.

Vinegar based coleslaw in a clear bowl with lemons and empty bowls on the side.

Mix until evenly coated.

Vinegar coleslaw in a large wooden bowl with large spoons in the bowl.

Refrigerate in a covered container for a few hours before serving.

how to make a creamy healthy coleslaw

If you like a creamier coleslaw – we’ve got you covered. Simply add ¼ cup non fat or full fat Greek yogurt to your dressing.

serving suggestions

This vinegar coleslaw pairs well with so many dishes, especially grilled proteins and on sandwiches for a fresh crunch. Here are some of our favorite pairings:

Pair with our Crockpot Ribs or Grilled Chicken Thighs
Top crockpot chicken tacos or healthy turkey burgers
Put on your pulled chicken sandwich (as seen below)

Tyler’s Tips for the best vinegar coleslaw:

Make this vinegar slaw a few hours in advance and refrigerate in a covered container before serving. This will give the slaw time to marinade and enhance flavor!

Make sure to mix your dressing well and evenly distribute it so that all of the coleslaw is covered!

An overhead shot of 3 bbq chicken and coleslaw sandwiches on a platter with a small bowl of vinegar coleslaw, bbq sauce, and chips on the side.

tips for storing leftover coleslaw

Storing: This will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. As the coleslaw sits it will get soggier. I saw a really great tip on Instagram to store coleslaw in a metal strainer inside of a bowl so the excess liquid can drain off and prevent the coleslaw from getting too soggy, but we normally just eat this within a day or two!

Freezing: You can’t freeze coleslaw – it’s best eaten fresh.

healthy coleslaw recipe FAQ

Is vinegar coleslaw good for you?

Yes, vinegar coleslaw is good for you! It’s low calorie, and veggie loaded making it the perfect side dish!

Is white vinegar better than apple cider vinegar in coleslaw?

White vinegar and apple cider vinegar both work great in coleslaw. Either one will taste delicious, but white vinegar has a more mild flavor, while apple cider has a stronger flavor.