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–+ servings
A vibrant bowl of creamy coleslaw recipe, garnished with fresh parsley, ready to be served as a delightful side dish.

Best Creamy Coleslaw Recipe: Classic, Easy & Tangy

Discover the ultimate creamy coleslaw! Our recipe features a unique twist with smoked paprika for earthy depth and Dijon mustard for unparalleled creaminess. Easy to make, tangy, and perfectly crunchy, it's the ideal side for barbecues, fried chicken, or family gatherings. Enjoy consistently delicious results!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • tiny pinch smoked paprika
  • whisper Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon celery seed optional – you can leave this out if you don’t like celery seed
  • 16-ounce bag coleslaw mix or shred your own cabbage and carrot to equal 16 ounces (about 4 cups)

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Whisk the Dressing
  1. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, ground black pepper, and the optional celery seed. Add a tiny pinch of smoked paprika and a whisper of Dijon mustard. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and all sugar has dissolved, ensuring the dressing is stable and velvety.
Combine with Vegetables
  1. Add your shredded cabbage mix, or freshly shredded cabbage and carrots, to the prepared dressing. Gently toss until all vegetables are evenly coated, taking care not to bruise them to maintain crisp texture.
Chill for Flavor Development
  1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the coleslaw to an airtight container. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. This crucial chilling time allows flavors to meld and vegetables to absorb the dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For optimal crispness, prepare dressing and vegetables separately if making ahead, then combine and chill a few hours before serving. Keep coleslaw chilled for food safety; avoid extended periods at room temperature. Gentle handling prevents watery slaw. Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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