If you’ve got cabbage in the garden (or you grabbed a big head at the store), you’re one bowl away from one of the best side dishes ever: homemade coleslaw.
This is my “garden style” version—fresh, crunchy, and simple. It’s perfect for cookouts, pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, or honestly… just straight out of the bowl while you’re “taste testing” in the kitchen 😄
Why Garden Coleslaw Hits Different
When you make coleslaw with fresh cabbage and carrots, you get that crisp bite that bagged slaw just doesn’t have. Plus, you can tweak the flavor exactly how you like it—more tang, more sweetness, more pepper… you’re in control.
Recipe Card
Homemade Coleslaw (Garden Style)
Slaw Mix
- 1/2–1 head cabbage, shredded (green, red, or mix)
- 1–2 carrots, shredded
- (Optional) thin-sliced onion or green onion
Simple Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 tbsp vinegar (apple cider or white)
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- Salt + black pepper
- (Optional) celery seed for that classic slaw flavor
Quick note: This is the kind of recipe you can tweak. If you like it tangier, add more vinegar. Sweeter? A little more sugar/honey. Creamier? More mayo.
How to Make Homemade Coleslaw
- Shred your veggies. Slice cabbage thin and shred carrots. (The thinner the cabbage, the better the texture.)
- Mix the dressing. In a bowl, stir together mayo, vinegar, sugar/honey, salt, and pepper (and celery seed if you’re using it).
- Combine. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss until everything is coated.
- Chill. Let it sit in the fridge for 20–30 minutes so the flavors come together.
- Taste + adjust. More salt? More tang? This is where you dial it in.
Tips + Variations
- Extra crunch: Add thin-sliced radish, bell pepper, or even a little kohlrabi if you’ve got it.
- Heat: A pinch of cayenne or a drizzle of hot honey is 🔥.
- Less creamy: Cut the mayo back and add a splash more vinegar.
- Make ahead: Slaw is usually better after it chills for a bit.
How I Serve It
This coleslaw goes with basically everything:
- BBQ plates
- Pulled pork / pulled chicken sandwiches
- Fish tacos
- Burgers
- And yes… I’ve eaten it straight with a fork 😂
Watch the Video
If you want to see how I put it together, here’s the video:
Quick Boxes
Flavor Dial (My Favorite Part)
Add an extra splash of vinegar.
A little more sugar or honey goes a long way.
More mayo (or a spoonful of Greek yogurt).
Go thin on the cabbage and keep it cold.
