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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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
Lisa
We always enjoy coleslaw at home. This dressing was so creamy and flavorful. We will make it again.
Amanda
What a fantastic dressing for coleslaw. This goes perfectly with my favorite coleslaw!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amanda! So glad that you liked it!
Nadalie
Great smooth and creamy coleslaw dressing. The family loved it!
Mel
I’ve not made coleslaw in ages. It’s great to make when you have a BBQ in the summer. This sounds like a yummy dressing and one that would work nicely.
Beeb
This is really a seriously good homemade coleslaw dressing. It is the most delicious creamy dressing ever.
Rhian Scammell
Such a good suggestion to have this in a sandwich. The crunch contrast would be really nice so I may have to give that a go x