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Easy 3-Ingredient Creamy Coleslaw Recipe Perfect for Summer BBQs

easy creamy coleslaw recipe - featured image

A quick and simple creamy coleslaw made with just cabbage, mayonnaise, and fresh lemon juice. Perfect for summer BBQs and easy weeknight sides.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups finely shredded green cabbage (about 300g or 10.5 oz)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120ml or 4 fl oz)
  • 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cabbage under cold water and pat dry. Remove any outer leaves that look damaged. Slice the cabbage in half, then remove the core by cutting it out in a triangular shape. Finely shred the cabbage into thin strips (about 4 cups/300 grams). This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup (120ml) of mayonnaise with 1½ tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Stir gently until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust lemon juice if desired.
  3. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage in a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, gently fold the dressing into the cabbage until evenly coated, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overmix.
  4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and cabbage soften slightly.
  5. Give the coleslaw one last gentle stir before serving. Add a pinch of salt or more lemon juice if needed.

Notes

For a softer texture, toss cabbage with a pinch of salt and let sit for 10 minutes before draining liquid. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Optional: add a teaspoon of honey or sugar for sweetness or swap half mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter version. Vegan mayo can be used for a vegan version.

Nutrition

Keywords: coleslaw, creamy coleslaw, easy coleslaw, 3-ingredient coleslaw, summer BBQ side, quick side dish