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Creamy Classic Coleslaw Recipe Easy Homemade Buttermilk Dressing

creamy classic coleslaw - featured image

A quick and easy creamy classic coleslaw with a tangy buttermilk dressing that pairs perfectly with grilled meats and sandwiches. This recipe features finely shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a smooth, homemade dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
  • 2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 23 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably full-fat)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cabbage heads under cold water. Pat dry or spin in a salad spinner to remove excess moisture. Finely shred both the green and red cabbage halves. Peel and shred the carrots using a grater or mandoline, and thinly slice the green onions. Combine all these in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, and celery seed. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. The dressing should be creamy but pourable.
  3. Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every shred evenly without making it soggy.
  4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally an hour, to let the flavors meld and soften the cabbage slightly.
  5. Before serving, give the coleslaw a quick stir and taste. Adjust seasoning with more salt or vinegar if desired. Serve chilled.

Notes

Do not overmix to avoid bruising the cabbage. Make the dressing ahead of time for deeper flavor. Pat shredded veggies dry if watery to prevent soggy slaw. Adjust seasoning after chilling. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with almond milk and lemon juice and use dairy-free mayo. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free mayo.

Nutrition

Keywords: coleslaw, creamy coleslaw, buttermilk dressing, easy coleslaw, summer side dish, barbecue side, homemade dressing