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    Home ▸ Vegan Salads

    Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw

    Last modified: April 17, 2023. Originally posted: April 17, 2023 By Sophia DeSantis

    This post may contain paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Collage of ingredients to make a vinegar cabbage slaw, it being mixed in a glass bowl and served on a white plate with overlay text.
    Vinegar cabbage slaw on a white plate sitting on a blue towel with white stripes next to a glass bowl of more slaw.

    This apple cider vinegar coleslaw is the perfect side dish recipe. It's healthy, simple, flavorful and made with only a few ingredients.

    Whether it be a picnic, barbecue, or family dinner, you're going to want this coleslaw. The dressing is perfect to make ahead and then put together right before you need it!

    White plate with a fork in a pile of cabbage slaw
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    This post was originally published on March 1, 2021.

    I love having versatile recipes that are easy to prep ahead and throw together day of. This is one of our favorites to pair with homemade black beans and Mexican rice!

    Ingredients

    Coleslaw is so fresh and crisp, and makes a great addition to so many meals! It can be used as a topping, a side dish, or even as a base for an extra flavorful salad. It comes together super fast, and since the flavors improve with time it's also a great make ahead dish!

    Creamy coleslaw seems to get all the love, but this apple cider vinegar coleslaw recipe is ready for the spotlight. This version is made with the perfect mix of fresh and flavor-packed ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

    • Shredded cabbage 
    • Shredded carrots 
    • Sliced red onion
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Oil or broth
    • Maple syrup
    • Seasonings
    Colored bowls with ingredients needed to make a vinegar slaw

    How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw

    This vinegar slaw recipe couldn't be any easier! Once you shred the cabbage and carrots, here's what to do:

    1. Mix cabbage, carrots, red onion and dressing in a bowl.
    2. Let rest in the fridge then enjoy!
    Glass bowl with shredded purple cabbage, carrots and red onion.
    Step 1
    Hand holding two forks dropping cabbage slaw on a white plate.
    Step 2

    What to Serve With Coleslaw

    This coleslaw with vinegar dressing makes a great topper to burgers, sandwiches, grilled entrees, tacos, even bowls! It's also a fabulous side dish to any of these recipes:

    • Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich
    • Crispy Potato Tacos
    • Vegan Roasted Poblano Mac and Cheese
    • Pulled "Pork" Mushroom Sandwich
    • Black Bean, Rice, and Avocado Burritos
    • Vegan BBQ Pulled Pork
    • Mexican Rice
    • Mexican Black Beans
    • Mexican Pinto Beans

    Flavor suggestions

    Make this coleslaw recipe with apple cider vinegar your own customized creation!

    • If you like tangier flavors, use more vinegar.
      • Or, use less to keep it on the milder side.
    • Apple cider vinegar is the best for this recipe. If you want to use another vinegar you can, however the end result won’t have that same flavor.
    • I like to use a mix of green and red cabbage, but any cabbage or combination will do.
    • Mix in additional ingredients for a flavor and nutrition boost!
      • Try adding greens, apples, bell pepper, celery, herbs, green onion, radishes, beets, jicama, fennel, sunflower seeds, and more!
    • This recipe will taste best after it has a chance for the flavors to come together. I recommend chilling for a minimum of 5-10 minutes.

    Make Ahead and Storage Tips

    • Shred the cabbage and ahead of time. Or, buy a package of pre shredded cabbage.
      • Some packaged mixes have the carrots in them. You can make this easy and use those. Just make sure the total amount of cups is the same.
    • Shred the carrots in advance as well.
      • Use a thick cheese grater, or a grating attachment on a food processor.
    • Mix the vinegar coleslaw dressing up to 7 days in advance.
    • Keep the shredded veggies in one airtight container and the dressing in another, and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

    Common Questions

    What is coleslaw dressing made of?

    Most coleslaw dressings are made with mayonnaise, a sweetener like sugar, and spices. Others are made with a vinegar base, oil, seasonings, and a sweetener.

    How long will vinegar coleslaw keep?

    Vinegar coleslaw will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar?

    It depends what you're looking for! Apple cider vinegar is made from apples and has more of a flavor than white vinegar, making it great for cooking. Plus, it has some health benefits including probiotics! White vinegar is made from grain alcohol and can be used for cooking as well, but also cleaning!

    Is coleslaw better the next day?

    The more time the flavors have to work together the better, to a certain point. The longer your coleslaw sits the less crunch it will have. The sweet spot to eat coleslaw once it's mixed is between 10 minutes and 24 hours.

    More Vegan Cabbage Recipes

    I don't know about you, but when I buy a head of cabbage for coleslaw I often have leftovers! Here are some more plant based recipes that use cabbage as well:

    • Healthy Vegan Stuffed Cabbage
    • Creamy Vegan Coleslaw
    • Black Bean Sweet Potato Tacos
    • Vegan Pozole Verde
    • Healthy Buddha Bowls
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    White plate piled with cabbage slaw with carrots and red onion in it.

    Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw

    Sophia DeSantis
    This apple cider vinegar coleslaw is the perfect side dish recipe. It's healthy, simple, flavorful and made with only a few ingredients.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 40 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 cups shredded cabbage , can do a mix of green and red or a prepackaged mix
    • 1 cup shredded carrots , see note
    • ½ thinly sliced red onion

    Dressing:

    • ¼ - ½ cup apple cider vinegar, , depending on how tangy you want it
    • 1-2 tablespoons your favorite oil for dressings (or use veggie broth if avoiding oil), can add more for desired consistency
    • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon celery seed
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Place cabbage, carrots and red onion in a bowl and mix well.
    • Add all dressing ingredients and combine. After mixing, allow salad to sit for a bit to combine flavors. I usually let it settle about 5-10 minutes but it’s still great the next day.

    Notes

    • There are some mixes you can buy that has the carrots, or other veggies, in them. You can make this easy and use those. Just make sure the total cups is the same.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 150mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2241IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    1. Chelsee

      March 17, 2021 at 7:22 am

      Omg this is the best coleslaw!!!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        March 17, 2021 at 9:09 am

        Happy you like it!

        Reply

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