Learn how to make classic buttermilk coleslaw that’s perfectly crispy, creamy, and comes together in minutes!
Today we’re giving a serious refresh to a side dish that normally gets overlooked! Never again will you be passing on the coleslaw.
A creamy, tangy buttermilk dressing works wonders with otherwise-boring cabbage and transforms this slaw into a creamy, dreamy salad that’s pretty much queen of all the side dishes.
Nobody in their right mind could say no to a bowl as vibrant and colorful as this.
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make the best-ever slaw and this recipe is living proof! Only 9 ingredients and about 20 minutes are standing between you and this bowl of goodness.
Soon enough you’ll be standing over said bowl with a spoon.
This Coleslaw features…
- A creamy, tangy buttermilk dressing
- Crisp cabbage, carrots, and sweet onion
- Minutes to make and complements any summer meal
Making the Coleslaw
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Sweet onion
- Green onion
- Buttermilk
- Mayonnaise
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dijon mustard
Choosing Your Cabbage
This recipe works great with a variety of cabbage. I typically go for a mix of half purple, half green for a vibrant slaw with plenty of color.
You can also use Napa cabbage for a slaw with a little more leafiness to it.
Tips for Perfect Coleslaw
- Finely shred cabbage – I recommend using a food processor or a sharp knife to ensure you get very thin shreds of cabbage.
- Sweeten dressing with honey – a little honey balances the tangy buttermilk flavor perfectly.
- Salt and pepper slaw well – use lots of salt and pepper for a slaw with lots of flavor.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this slaw.
- Add nuts – try adding 1/2 cup toasted almonds, pecans, or pine nuts.
- Make it fruity – try adding 1/2 cup diced apple, blueberries, dried cranberries, or raisins.
- Add other vegetables – try adding 1 cup thinly-sliced jicama, sweet pepper, or celery.
Storing Coleslaw
This coleslaw may be stored in refrigerator up to 2 days. If possible, I recommend serving immediately once tossed in the dressing to keep everything crisp, but it’s still delicious a few days after being stored!
It really doesn’t get much more perfect than this slaw! It’s creamy, yet so crunchy at the same time and has a lovely tangy buttermilk flavor balanced perfectly with a hint of sweetness from the honey.
Trust me, you’ll never use any other slaw recipe again!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
Watch this slaw made step-by-step on Google web stories.
More summer salads to whip up next!
Buttermilk Coleslaw
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Ingredients
- 8 cups shredded cabbage (green, purple, or a mixture of both)
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup minced green onions
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrot, sweet onion, and green onion. Set aside for a moment.
- In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk, mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, and mustard until smooth.
- Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated. Season slaw with salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe tips and photos on 6/7/24.
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I hate soggy slaws. Yours look beautiful and delicious. I love the addition on buttermilk.
Sarah says
Soggy coleslaw can definitely go home and make way for the good stuff, right?! Thanks Kathy! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Oh my gosh!!! Those photos took my breath away! So bright, colorful – and I love that it’s healthy and light! I love coleslaw – especially for a bbq! I also love that its not over-dressed.
Sarah says
You’re too sweet, Kristi. Thanks so much girlfriend! 🙂
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating says
Coleslaw is one of my favorites! I love the tip about salting the cabbage!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Cooks Illustrated is seriously the BEST for perfect-every-time recipes. I’ve actually tried their salting the cabbage method and it is amazing! Totally works, and gets rid of all “wetness.” Nothing worse than coleslaw soup. I love that you used buttermilk! Bet it gave it some great tang.
Sarah says
I adore CI in a huge-ish way. I literally have about 50-100 of their older magazine issues! 😉 LOL. Kinda obsessed. But isn’t that salting trick AMAZING, Nat?! Totally worth the little extra time it takes. 😉
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
Wet buns are seriously gross! I’m so glad you posted this great recipe for non watery classic coleslaw, will definitely be giving it a try!
Sarah says
Right?! Wet buns are totally unappetizing and ruin an otherwise perfect burger. 😉 LMK if you try this coleslaw, Danae!
Kelly says
Mmm I am a big fan of non-soggy coleslaw! Yours looks amazing and I love the tip about salting the cabbage. The buttermilk is such a great addition too!
Sarah says
Thanks, Kelly! You’ve gotta try this coleslaw version. 🙂
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
I love this recipe so much because just like you, I absolutely hate those colesaws that are super-soggy and watery. Your version is just wonderful!! Perfect for me 😉
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Olivia!
Danielle says
Ugh soggy coleslaw is seriously the worst. I love the tip for salting it, such a great idea!
Sarah says
Isn’t it?! You’ll love this non-soggy version, Danielle! 😉
Allison says
What a fantastic trick!!! I am also one of those people that gets a little grossed out by soggy coleslaw. I need to try this fascinating technique. I LOVE cabbage, so coleslaw gets me excited. I could eat it all day, every day. 🙂
Sarah says
You SO need to try this coleslaw, Allison! If you hate soggy coleslaw as much as I do, you’ll flip for THIS recipe. 😉
Arpita@ TheGastronomicBong says
Nothing can beat a classic!! Love coleslaw but can’t stand soggy slaw… This coleslaw looks absolutely delicious and healthy too…. I can totaly live on this slaw 😀
Sarah says
Thanks, Arpita! I’m pretty sure I could live on this slaw too. 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
I too do not like cole slaw it is soupy and soggy. I like a good crunch in my slaw. I love your recipe. It looks delicious!
Sarah says
Thanks, Cindy!
Isadora says
I’m a slaw kinda gal too!! I put it on my hot dogs and hamburgers all the time! Actually, I pretty much put it on everything in the summer! I love this classic recipe! I need to make a huge batch of this asap 🙂
Sarah says
Haha we both are total slaw gals, Izzy! 🙂