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Home » Recipes » Healthy Sides

Bright, Crunchy Vinegar Slaw (Meal Prep Friendly!)

Modified: Apr 25, 2025 · Published: Mar 18, 2022 by Tera Gigot · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This vinegar-based coleslaw recipe is our favorite simple coleslaw recipe without mayo! It's simple and has texture, tang, and crunch in all the right places. Tossed in a smooth and balanced coleslaw vinaigrette, all the veggies get evenly coated for a delicious, cohesive salad. Plus, it looks like a freaking rainbow.

Healthy coleslaw in a clear glass bowl with wooden spoon. this recipe

Now don't get me wrong - I love a creamy coleslaw... but we all know from this vinegar cucumber salad that I'm also a vinegar girl. And if you like your vinaigrettes too, you're probably like me and sometimes just need yourself a coleslaw without mayo. Enter our absolute favorite healthy coleslaw recipe with plenty of color, crunch, and texture from some added sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, plus a balanced and mild vinaigrette to coat every bite.

This slaw is sweet-tangy and crisp -- perfect for adding to salads and grain bowls, or for topping tacos (like these simple chorizo tacos), BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and wraps. Keep a batch on hand throughout the week, and you'll have a flavor booster at the ready for any meal, or just a simple crunchy salad to get those veggies in. Let's make some!

Jump to:
  • Key Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Coleslaw FAQs
  • Pairing
  • 📖 Recipe

Key Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make a healthy coleslaw recipe.
  • Red cabbage - Cabbage is the primary ingredients in this healthy coleslaw recipe, and purple cabbage adds a beautiful hue.
  • Green cabbage - For cabbage number two, we'll use green for slightly different flavor of cabbage, plus more color.
  • Green onions - We love onions for flavor and opted for milder one in this recipe.
  • Cilantro - Fresh cilantro brings an incredibly fresh flavor to this coleslaw.
  • Carrots - We'll shred these up and add them for flavor, plus they add a nice pop of orange.
  • Sunflower seeds - For saltiness, flavor, and crunch.
  • Sesame seeds - For even more crunch and texture (never enough!).

Substitutions & Variations

The following substitutions & variations can be made to adjust this recipe to your preferences or pantry inventory!

  • Vinegar - I love rice vinegar in this recipe because it's mild, but you can easily substitute other vinegars! I recommend a vinegar that's light in color such as sherry vinegar (look for aged for sweeter flavor), apple cider vinegar, or champagne vinegar. Right now, I can't get enough of O Olive Oil vinegars!
  • Herbs - Parsley is an excellent swap for cilantro in this coleslaw recipe. I often add
  • Sesame vinaigrette - You could also try the vinaigrette from my Asian slaw with ramen recipe: ¼ cup toasted sesame oil + ¼ cup tamari + ¼ cup rice vinegar + 2 tablespoons maple syrup + juice of a fresh orange.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Coleslaw vinaigrette in mason jar.

Step 1: Make the coleslaw vinaigrette by combining extra virgin olive oil, rice vinegar, agave syrup, and salt in a tightly sealed mason jar. Shake vigorously to emulsify.

Green onions macerating in coleslaw vinaigrette in a bowl.

Step 2: Pour the coleslaw vinaigrette into a large bowl and add the green onions. Allow the onions to macerate in the vinaigrette for a few minutes (macerating means soaking in vinegar or acid to help soften and mellow the flavor).

Green and red cabbage, carrots, green onions, and parsley tossed together in healthy coleslaw vinaigrette.

Step 3: Add in the carrots, cabbage, and cilantro, tossing gently to make sure all veggies are coated in the vinaigrette.

Sunflower seeds and sesame seeds poured onto healthy coleslaw.

Step 4: Add sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, and gently use two spoons to toss, or one spoon to stir, so that all ingredients get evenly distributed. And that's it! You've got yourself an incredible-tasting, simple, and healthy coleslaw recipe.

Hint: I love making a big batch of this coleslaw to use throughout the week for various recipes, such as salads, taco toppings, or sandwich toppings. It's SO good!!

Coleslaw in a clear glass bowl with spoon.

Coleslaw FAQs

What's the best vinegar to use for coleslaw?

We use a variety of vinegars for our salads and slaws, but our favorite for this coleslaw recipe is rice vinegar because it's smooth and mellow.

Is coleslaw vegan?

Not all slaw is vegan (many are dairy-based), but this one is! To keep it vegan, avoid substituting honey is as a sweetener.

What are the best ways to serve coleslaw?

This healthy coleslaw is all-purpose, which makes it perfect for putting on literally anything. Top tacos, turkey taco quinoa bowls, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, or serve on the side of other proteins like this herb-roasted chicken. Or, use as a base for salad and add your favorite proteins and other ingredients on top!

How long can I store leftover coleslaw?

You can store this healthy coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. We don't recommend freezing, as the fresh ingredients won't maintain their texture once frozen.

Pairing

Looking for ways to use your slaw? Check out some of our recipe pairing suggestions below!

  • Three chorizo tacos and three lime wedges on gray plate, on light blue and white surface
    Simple Chorizo Tacos
  • Homemade maple baked beans in beige serving bowl with gold spoon, next to golden-yellow linen, and sourdough dipped in
    Simple Homemade Maple Baked Beans
  • Lemon dill salmon pieces topped with lemon slices, on dark gray plate with fork
    Weeknight Lemon Dill Salmon
  • Quinoa bowls with turkey taco meat, greens, and toppings.
    20-Minute Quinoa Bowls with Turkey Taco Meat

Did you make this vinegar coleslaw recipe? Don't forget to leave a star rating 🌟 and comment below, and tag me on Instagram and Pinterest so I can see what you made!

Print

📖 Recipe

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Favorite healthy coleslaw in clear glass bowl with wooden spoon, on light gray surface

Everyday Vinegar Slaw with Simple, Wholesome Ingredients


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  • Author: Tera
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: ~6 heaping cups
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Description

This vinegar-based, simple everyday coleslaw recipe is our absolute favorite! It's all-purpose, so it can be used as a stand-alone side or salad, or as a crunchy topping for tacos, BBQ, or any sandwich/wrap.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar (or other light vinegar)
  • ¼ cup agave (or maple syrup, or honey)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups purple cabbage, sliced thin
  • 3 cups green cabbage, sliced thin
  • 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 6 green onions with tops, sliced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds


Instructions

  1. Make the slaw vinaigrette. In a mason jar, vigorously shake together the extra virgin olive oil, rice vinegar, agave syrup, and salt.
  2. Macerate the onions. Place the onions in a large bowl and add the vinaigrette. Allow the onions to sit in the vinaigrette for a few minutes to soften them and mellow out their flavor.
  3. Combine other ingredients. Add the cilantro, carrots, cabbage, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds to the bowl, and stir until everything is combined and evenly coated in vinaigrette. Serve it up or store for later!

Notes

  1. Storage instructions. You can store healthy coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I do not recommend freezing coleslaw.
  2. Serving suggestions. This slaw is honestly so versatile and SO good!! I love making a big batch one day and using it in several recipes throughout the next several days. For example, black bean tacos topped with slaw and grain bowls with slaw added for tang and crunch the following night.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Sides, lunch
  • Method: Chop & combine
  • Cuisine: Dutch

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 heaping cup
  • Calories: 218
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 131.5 mg
  • Fat: 16.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 4.1 g
  • Protein: 3.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Did you make this recipe?

If you loved this recipe, make sure to let me know and give it a star rating (below)! Star ratings help Roots and Radishes recipes reach more people, which helps support the continued production of our content. Also, we'd LOVE to see what you make! Snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @rootsnradishes  🙂

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Tera Gigot, the author, photographer, and recipe developer of Roots and Radishes.

Hey, I'm Tera! And I'm so glad to meet you. I've been using seasonal produce to create recipes in my Wisconsin kitchen for 12 years. Here you'll find nourishing whole foods recipes that are approachable and delicious.

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Favorite healthy coleslaw in clear glass bowl with wooden spoon, on light gray surface