Quick and easy apple cider vinegar coleslaw with shredded green cabbage and carrots. Flavorful, healthy and mayo-free.
If you’re anything like me you probably grew up eating creamy, mayo-based coleslaw.
Nowadays I much prefer a vinegar based coleslaw over one with mayo. The vinegar dressing is lighter and really lets the crunchy cabbage and carrots shine.
The version I’m sharing today is a pretty classic recipe seasoned with a simple 6-ingredient vinegar based dressing. To really boost the nutritional content I used apple cider vinegar and instead of white sugar I went with maple syrup. Maple syrup is unrefined and has antioxidants, as well as other vitamins and minerals including a good amount of zinc and manganese.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar
First, let’s start with the basics! Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. The process starts by adding yeast to crushed apples.
The yeast ferments the sugars and turns them into alcohol. At this point, bacteria is added which further ferments the alcohol and turns it into acetic acid… the main active compound found in most vinegars.
Acetic acid gives vinegar its pungent smell and flavor and is also responsible for many of ACV’s health benefits.
Ingredients in Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw
green cabbage – feel free to buy pre-shredded cabbage for a time-saving shortcut! You can also use a mixture of green and red cabbage for added color!
carrots – same as above, buy pre-shredded to save some time or look for a coleslaw mix that has both cabbage and carrots included. Just be sure to measure out about 5 cups so you have a good dressing to salad ratio.
dry mustard – you can substitute 1 teaspoon of dried mustard for 1 tablespoon of prepared mustard.
ground celery seed – a must for coleslaw!
sea salt and ground pepper – to bring all of the flavors together.
Can I Prep Coleslaw Ahead of Time?
Yes! I actually recommend making this recipe ahead of time so the flavors have time to marinate. I’ve enjoyed it right after making and it’s delicious but the flavors seem to get better with time. After prepping, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
How to Serve Vinegar Based Coleslaw
This salad is pretty low in calories, oil-free and is perfect for serving as a light and refreshing side salad or as a crunchy topping for a variety of dishes. Here’s what I would pair it with:
Grilled meat – Instantly level up a basic grilled meal with a side of fresh coleslaw. Can’t wait to have this with grilled chicken.
Fish tacos – Mmm the crunchy slaw on top of fish tacos sounds like the perfect combo!
Burgers – You can’t go wrong adding slaw to any burger but I’m excited to try it on these black bean burgers.
BBQ sandwiches – Top a pulled pork or BBQ chicken sandwich with slaw or try my BBQ jackfruit sandwiches for a vegan option!
How to Store Leftovers
Like I mentioned above, this coleslaw stores really well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
If you try this apple cider vinegar coleslaw please be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how it turns out. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers!
Yum! While I have to admit I like mayo-based coleslaw, I was looking for something lighter to have with baked fish this week. This recipe is a winner! I followed Greg’s example and added a small apple for a little extra sweetness and color.
Good. I added apples and a bit of red onion to give it sweetness and a bite. Added olive oil to the dressing and reduced maple syrup to 1Tbsp. Otherwise awesome.
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this coleslaw recipe, Greg. Thanks for sharing the additions you made and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful for other readers, so I appreciate it. 🙂
This Caleslaw alternative will definitely help to save loads of calories by not eating them. 😉 One flat tablespoon of mayonnaise contains about 90 kcal and 10 grams of fat! This is crazy!
I usually go for a compromise with the caleslaw dressing too. I use low fat natural yogurt and add a tablespoon or two of olive oil, a tablespoon of vinegar, a little bit of maple syrup and remaining spices.
Coleslaw came into my life when I was in college and I never cared for the creamy, mayo-based coleslaw that was infamous then – but this version sounds absolutely delightful – and love the health benefits of it too!
I absolutely love cabbage but I’m not a fan of the mayo based coleslaws, so I can’t wait to try this! And you are too cute! Your video is SO FUN! More more more!
This is perfectly timed! I have a head of cabbage in my refrigerator, and I couldn’t decide what to do with it. Making vinegar-y slaw sounds like a delicious use.
Ahh yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this slaw, Lei-Leni. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
I’m with you I prefer the vinegar based coleslaw now over the mayo, I think it has way more flavor. I love that you used apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. This will be a great side dish or topping for a burger this grilling season!
This looks so yummy! My husband loves coleslaw, but I am always hesitant to make it because the mayo dressing is not my favorite. Can’t wait to try this!
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Yum! While I have to admit I like mayo-based coleslaw, I was looking for something lighter to have with baked fish this week. This recipe is a winner! I followed Greg’s example and added a small apple for a little extra sweetness and color.
★★★★★
So glad this recipe was a hit, Norma!! Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
Good. I added apples and a bit of red onion to give it sweetness and a bite. Added olive oil to the dressing and reduced maple syrup to 1Tbsp. Otherwise awesome.
★★★★★
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this coleslaw recipe, Greg. Thanks for sharing the additions you made and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful for other readers, so I appreciate it. 🙂
Could honey be used in place of maple syrup? Thank you!
Yes! Let me know how it turns out for you!
This has been one of my go to recipes this summer. My husband loves it too!
★★★★★
Can you please sing me up for your newsletters
Sure! Will add you today. 🙂
I use your recipe but I use 1Tbsp of Palm sugar and add a pinch off pepper flakes.
I added two tbp of sesame oil as well… perfect!
Hi,
Looks like a great recipe! I’m from Mass., so using maple syrup sounds good. Can you tell me if it changes the flavor a lot?
Thanks so much,
Marianne
Oh yum! Great idea!
This Caleslaw alternative will definitely help to save loads of calories by not eating them. 😉 One flat tablespoon of mayonnaise contains about 90 kcal and 10 grams of fat! This is crazy!
I usually go for a compromise with the caleslaw dressing too. I use low fat natural yogurt and add a tablespoon or two of olive oil, a tablespoon of vinegar, a little bit of maple syrup and remaining spices.
Great salad, perfection! Love using Apple cider vinegar whenever I can, I actually have a book on all the benefits!
Coleslaw came into my life when I was in college and I never cared for the creamy, mayo-based coleslaw that was infamous then – but this version sounds absolutely delightful – and love the health benefits of it too!
Welcome to the wonderful world of YouTube!
Apple cider vinegar is a superstar. I love this recipe. Perfect time for summer.
I absolutely love cabbage but I’m not a fan of the mayo based coleslaws, so I can’t wait to try this! And you are too cute! Your video is SO FUN! More more more!
This looks amazing! I bet it would be fabulous on fish tacos too!
This is perfectly timed! I have a head of cabbage in my refrigerator, and I couldn’t decide what to do with it. Making vinegar-y slaw sounds like a delicious use.
Delicious! I wanted a slaw to go with jackfruit bbq and OMG
Thanks!
★★★★★
Ahh yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this slaw, Lei-Leni. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
I’m with you I prefer the vinegar based coleslaw now over the mayo, I think it has way more flavor. I love that you used apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. This will be a great side dish or topping for a burger this grilling season!
This looks so, soooo tasty! Definitely going to reach for this recipe next time I need some coleslaw 🙂
I love coleslaw. i can use it as a salad base or top off any sandwich with it. The tangy-er the better! This looks great.
I love cider slaw–your version looks great!
This looks so yummy! My husband loves coleslaw, but I am always hesitant to make it because the mayo dressing is not my favorite. Can’t wait to try this!
This sounds really nice! I’m a fan of apple cider vinegar… I think this would taste great with chicken, too.