4 ingredient coleslaw is an amazingly easy side dish to make for summer potlucks, summer barbecues, summer picnics, and side dishes all year long. I love finding recipes that are easy to make and don’t require a lot of ingredients, or prep work. Plus it can be made ahead of time for an easy cookout day.

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Now not only is this a great side dish but it is also amazing to put on to other sandwiches like pulled pork or pulled bbq chicken. This is the perfect side dish for any summer get-together or cookout. The entire family tried this out, and one declared it better than KFC Coleslaw.

four ingredient coleslaw Ingredients
Coleslaw Mix Package– If you don’t want to use a prepackaged coleslaw bag, you can shred green cabbage, purple cabbage, and shredded carrots to make the dry coleslaw mix. This is best done with a food processor grater attachment.
Mayonnaise– You can use light mayo or Greek yogurt to lower the calories instead of regular mayo. (see -> Weight Watchers coleslaw recipe)
Honey– You can use store-bought honey or local honey. My honey came from a friend on the Olympic Peninsula. Also, white granulated sugar can be used in substitution of honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar– You can use white vinegar or other vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
how to make coleslaw
Mix your homemade dressing ingredients: Mayonnaise, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. I used a small whisk to mix these together.

If you need to shred the vegetables use a food processor or a sharp knife to shred the green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots for this recipe. The pro tip I have for you, buy the coleslaw cabbage mix at the store with no dressing packet. Amazon also has them -> here, but a grocery store will also have them with the shredded taco lettuce.
*You can skip the red cabbage or purple cabbage, but I love that it makes for a colorful coleslaw with shredded carrots.*
In a large mixing bowl, I used an 8-cup Pyrex measuring cup, mix the dressing with the dry cabbage.
Once all cabbage is coated, you can serve or refrigerate for a few hours.
This recipe could easily be multiplied into a couple of batches for a larger crowd.

Tips From A Former KFC Manager
Fun fact I worked for KFC as a general manager from 2005-2008 where you make the KFC Coleslaw daily. The employees wear gloves up to their elbows to mix the dry cabbage wmix with the premixed dressing. You can tell the pockets of dry coleslaw easily that.
Also, they allow their coleslaw to be set for 6 hours before serving or overnight. They then package into containers or pans for the line.
How To Store Coleslaw
Store the coleslaw in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. The liquid from the creamy dressing will settle in the bottom, so be sure to stir well before serving or moving to a serving dish like a large bowl or big bowl.

coleslaw add ins
Even though this coleslaw is made with simple ingredients, simple add-ins can take the flavor to the next level. Even though it’s an easy recipe, there is nothing wrong with elevating it.
- Diced Apple Chunks
- Chopped or sliced almonds
- Dried Cranberries
- Dijon Mustard
- Red Onion
- Avocado Oil
- Vinaigrette Dressing
- Blue Cheese
- Lemon Juice
- Rice Vinegar
- Champagne Vinegar
- Keto Honey Substitute- Use this to make it a Keto Coleslaw Recipe for a keto diet
Seasonings To Add To Dressing
Extra seasonings can be a simple ingredient to add to a recipe, but they can change the flavoring of the coleslaw when mixed into the homemade coleslaw dressing.
- Onion Powder
- Celery Salt
- Black Pepper
- Celery Seeds
- Pinch of Salt

What To Serve With Coleslaw
Main Dishes: Roasted Garlic Chicken Burger, Bacon Stuffed Burgers, Grilled Teriyaki Steak Kabobs, Grilled Cuban Pork Chops, Grilled Garlic Chicken Breast, Coke Grilled BBQ Wings, Pulled Pork, Grilled Chicken Legs, Grilled Bratwurst
Sides: Easy Homemade Potato Salad, Grandma’s Potato Salad, Smoked Potato Salad, Loaded Potato Salad, Easy Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad, Pizza Pasta Salad, Grilled Corn On The Cob In Foil, 4 Ingredient Coleslaw, Cheese Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms, Cowboy Caviar, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Foil Potato Packets, Grilled Bacon Wrapped Anaheim Peppers, Pizza Pasta Salad
Desserts: 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars, Watermelon Feta Salad, Oreo Fluff, Pink Fluff, Shark Sand Cups, Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake, Crescent Roll Peach Dumplings, 2 Ingredient Strawberry Cake, 2 Ingredient Cherry Cake, 2 Ingredient Blueberry Angel Food Cake, 2 Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake, Funfetti Cake Dip, No Bake Dessert Recipes
4 ingredient Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 Ounce Coleslaw Mix
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Mix your homemade dressing ingredients in a small bowl, Mayonnaise, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
- If you need to shred the vegetables use a food processor or a sharp knife to shred the green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots for this recipe.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the dressing with the dry cabbage.
- Once all cabbage is coated, you can either serve or refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Joanne says
This sounds delicious! I use a similar recipe but it has sugar in place of the honey (I like the idea of using honey better though!).