This easy keto coleslaw recipe is what I usually prepare when I need a quick and healthy salad. It is the perfect side dish for your next potluck or hangout!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
I have made this creamy keto coleslaw for a few potlucks, and no one knew it was low carb and sugar-free till I mentioned it. It's that good! I like to include mayonnaise when making this low carb coleslaw recipe because it makes the coleslaw so much creamier.
I use my spicy mayo recipe as my keto coleslaw dressing for this recipe; it's naturally keto and comes together in just 2 minutes! You can also use this tangy dijonnaise recipe instead.
🥘 Equipment Used
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If you aren't using prepackaged coleslaw mix from the grocery store, you'll need a food processor or knife to cut all of your vegetables to size. Otherwise, you just need a bowl and a spoon.
🧾 Ingredients Used
- Coleslaw mix: I use a prepackaged bag of coleslaw mix, but you can prepare this yourself. You will need about six cups of finely shredded cabbage (about 1 medium head of cabbage) and one cup of finely shredded carrots.
- Homemade spicy mayonnaise: I prefer to make my own mayo because I don't want any additional preservatives. Alternatively, you can use your favorite keto-friendly mayonnaise recipe.
- Spices: Apple cider vinegar, black pepper, monk fruit sweetener, salt, and cayenne pepper (optional).
🔪 How To Make This Recipe
- If using fresh vegetables, wash them before shredding them, then pat them with a paper towel to prevent your coleslaw from becoming watery. If using coleslaw mix, pour it into a large bowl.
- Mix in the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional), and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add the dressing a little bit at a time to the coleslaw mix and stir well together, and your keto spicy coleslaw is ready to eat!
🥫 Storing and Reheating
This creamy coleslaw recipe tastes even better the next day or after a couple of hours. The flavors meld and become more robust, and the coleslaw tastes even better. Store it for 2-3 days to enjoy its fresh taste. You can eat this low carb slaw cold or at room temperature.
💭 Tips and Variations
- I use my spicy mayo to add a little heat to my homemade coleslaw recipe, but you can use regular mayonnaise if you want it milder.
- I like to include apple cider vinegar as it gives a slightly tangy taste. You can also use white vinegar if that's what you have.
- You can use a food processor to shred the cabbage or a knife to cut it the old-fashioned way.
- It can be a great idea to use either green cabbage, red cabbage, white cabbage, or a mix of all of them in this salad. This is a great way to add rich color and give it that traditional flavor found in coleslaw.
- If you prefer a sweeter salad dressing, try this sweet mayonnaise dressing for a sweet coleslaw.
🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
This keto coleslaw is a delicious keto side dish, and it goes great with grilled or baked dishes such as baked catfish, shish kebab, or grilled ground lamb kofta kebab. Make a double batch of this easy keto coleslaw recipe to serve at your summer barbecues and parties!
👩🍳 Frequently asked questions
What is coleslaw?
Regular coleslaw is a salad made from finely shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing, and it's known for its crunchy, tangy, and creamy taste. It is sometimes called cole slaw or just slaw. Coleslaw originated from the Dutch word koolsla, meaning cabbage salad. It is so easy and convenient to make and is a favorite at potlucks.
What keto sweetener should I use?
For this keto coleslaw recipe, I use monk fruit erythritol blend as my low carb sweetener. I particularly love this sweetener because it does not have an aftertaste and gives the coleslaw a mildly sweet flavor.
Monk fruit comes from Southeast Asia and contains zero calories, and has no harmful side effects. Erythritol is a mild sugar alcohol derived from fruits and plants.
I don't use sweeteners often, but sometimes a dish calls for it, and I'm always on the hunt for one that will make the dish slightly sweet without being overpowering. I have experimented with so many sweeteners, and the monk fruit erythritol blend is the one I have enjoyed the most.
There is a slight cooling effect if you taste it by itself, but you don't notice this when mixed in with something else. Another good choice of sweetener is allulose or swerve. Alternatively, you can just leave out all sweeteners; the coleslaw is delicious as is.
📚 Related Recipes
Try these other low carb side dishes!
Sauteed Green Beans & Mushrooms
Sugar-free Cranberry Almond Coleslaw
📖 Recipe
Keto Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag coleslaw mix equivalent to 6 cups shredded cabbage
- ½ cup homemade spicy mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoon monk fruit erythritol sweetener blend
Instructions
- If using fresh vegetables, wash them before shredding them, then pat them with a paper towel to prevent your coleslaw from becoming watery.
- If using coleslaw mix, pour it into a large bowl.
- Mix in the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, black pepper, cayenne pepper (optional), and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add the dressing a little bit at a time to the coleslaw mix and stir well together.
- Refrigerate and serve chilled.
Notes
- I use my homemade spicy mayo to add a little heat to this coleslaw but you can use regular mayonnaise if you want it milder.
- This keto coleslaw tastes so much better refrigerated but you can eat it right away if you're in a hurry. I like to keep it for no more than 2 or 3 days to maintain freshness.
- I like to include apple cider vinegar as it gives a slightly tangy taste. You can also use white vinegar if that’s what you have.
Nutrition
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
I do mine the same but use dill pickle juice and mayo
Sounds yum!
This cole slaw is perfect for a bbq. Love that it is spicy!! So delicious
Thanks Tisha!
I love that you added cayenne pepper for spice! This is the best coleslaw recipe I’ve seen in a long time!
Thanks, Jessica. The pepper gives it such a great kick!
Love the idea of making the coleslaw spicy with your mayonnaise. Looks delicious.
Thanks, Amanda!
GREAT!
Love the crunchy and spicy mayo to this coleslaw. Flavorful and delicious too.
Thanks, Veena. It really is very flavorful!
This looks like it would be a great Coleslaw to serve with roast chicken! It is unique too with that spicy touch. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, it would go perfectly with roast chicken!