This sweet and creamy homemade Coleslaw Dressing comes together in less than five minutes with seven common ingredients, two of which are salt and black pepper. When sealed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator, it lasts up to five days, provided that the mayo and milk are not close to expiration.
Use it on your favorite coleslaw recipe for a rich and creamy flavor. I like to use it in my chicken salad, cold pasta salad, and as a dip for fresh veggies like celery, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Mayonnaise: I like Duke’s mayo, but you can use your favorite brand.
- Granulated sugar: If desired, reduce the amount of sugar to taste. Or swap it for honey or maple syrup.
- Milk: preferably whole milk or mix 2% with a scant amount (less than a teaspoon) of heavy cream.
- Vinegar: I love apple cider vinegar with this recipe, but you can substitute white vinegar, rice vinegar, champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
- Lemon juice: For optimal flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
How to Make Easy Coleslaw Dressing
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Whisk the mayo, sugar, milk, cider vinegar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Then, season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to drizzle over your favorite slaw.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Add one tablespoon of Dijon mustard to add a little tang to your coleslaw dressing.
- Store the coleslaw dressing in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, provided the mayo and milk are not expired or close to expiring.
- I do not recommend freezing any dressing with a mayonnaise base. Mayo curdles and separates after it is frozen.
Uses for Coleslaw Dressing
- Toss it with shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, broccoli slaw, or your favorite store-bought coleslaw mix for the best side dish for barbecued burgers, hot dogs, or pulled pork sandwiches.
- Lettuce – use it on your favorite lettuce salads like romaine, leaf lettuce, spinach, or spring greens.
- Sandwiches and Wraps – use it as a condiment on your favorite sandwich or wrap. Just spread a thin layer with a rubber spatula.
- Pasta Salads – use it in any cold pasta salad that calls for a mayo-based dressing. Try it in shrimp pasta salad and tuna pasta salad.
- Dipping Sauce – use it as a dipping sauce for battered, deep-fried shrimp, beer-battered onion rings, or popcorn chicken.
Try These Next
Creamy Coleslaw Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice to taste
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together the mayo, sugar, milk, cider vinegar, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to drizzle over your favorite slaw or up to 5 days.
Notes
- To add a little tang to your coleslaw dressing, add one tablespoon Dijon mustard.
- Store the coleslaw dressing in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, provided that the mayo and milk are not expired or close to expiring.
- I do not recommend freezing any dressing with a mayonnaise base. Mayo curdles and separates after it is frozen.
Nutrition
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Angela
This Coleslaw Dressing turned out so amazing!! It was easy to prepare and so delicious. I can’t wait to make it again!! YUM!!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Angela! I am so happy that you liked it.
Mahy
This dressing is amazing! Love how easy it comes together, and the taste is a stunner!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Mahy!
amy liu dong
This is a new recipe for me to make. It looks easy, and I am sure it is also flavorful.
Paula
Loved this dressing for coleslaw! This was so good and the perfect amount of creamy!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Paula! So glad that you like it!
Catherine
I’ve been searching for a go-to coleslaw dressing and this is finally it! Creamy, tangy, and just sweet enough.
Maria
I tried this over the weekend, and it’s absolutely my new go-to whenever I make coleslaw. YUM-MO!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Maria!
Clarice
We tried this earlier today, and my family loved it! Thank you for sharing the recipe. It was rich and creamy. Our fresh cabbage salad was delicious.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Clarice!
Lisa
I love coleslaw and I have yet to make my own. I will try this recipe out, I’m sure it will save me lots of money to make my own. This looks so delicious, and I love adding coleslaw on my chicken.
Stephanie
Coleslaw is always present whenever I have fried chicken! They are the best pair and i mostly make my own at home and keep them handy.
Jenny
Coleslaw is one of these things we always have in the fridge at this time of year!
Catalina
I love coleslaw and I am making it very often! I will make your dressing next time!
Sandra
This is such a perfect side dish!! Everyone at my house loved it!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sandra!
Beti
WOW!! I love, LOVE this coleslaw dressing! It is my new go to recipe!
katerina
Great slaw dressing. I serving the slaw with some smoked ribs and the meal was delicious. Thanks, Beth.
Marysa
This sounds like a great dressing for coleslaw. Sometimes we put coleslaw in a wrap with some other veggies – makes a great healthy wrap! I’ll have to try the dressing with it.
Zab Zaria
A wonderful Coleslaw Dressing recipe can be found here. Thank you so much for sharing this. It look so delicious