Welcome to the ultimate guide for creating the most delicious and refreshing **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw**! If you’ve been searching for a healthy, sugar-free, and delightfully creamy side dish that perfectly complements your BBQ feasts, summer picnics, or any low-carb meal, you’ve found your new go-to recipe. This version takes everything you love about classic coleslaw – its crisp texture and tangy-sweet dressing – and reimagines it for a ketogenic and low-carb lifestyle, making it completely free of added sugars and those carb-heavy carrots often found in traditional recipes.
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This post was originally published in 2019 and has been thoroughly updated to provide you with the most current information and best practices for a fantastic **keto-friendly coleslaw**. While the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post, we highly recommend reading through the entire article. It contains valuable tips, insights, and answers to common questions that will help you master this healthy and delicious dish.
Coleslaw is undeniably a staple, especially during the vibrant spring and summer seasons. Its refreshing crunch and creamy texture make it a beloved accompaniment to grilled meats and outdoor gatherings. However, many store-bought and restaurant coleslaw varieties are surprisingly high in sugar, often packed with several tablespoons, or even cups, of refined sweeteners. Furthermore, they frequently include shredded carrots, which, while healthy, contribute additional carbs that can quickly add up on a keto or low-carb diet. Our **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** eliminates these concerns, offering all the flavor without compromising your dietary goals.
What Type of Slaw and Cabbage to Use
The foundation of any great coleslaw is, of course, the cabbage. For a truly low-carb experience, it’s best to avoid pre-packaged coleslaw mixes that contain carrots, as they can add unnecessary sugars and carbohydrates. Many grocery stores now offer “angel hair” coleslaw, which is simply finely shredded cabbage without any carrots. This is a convenient and excellent choice for our **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw**.
To add visual appeal and a slightly different texture, I love combining the standard green cabbage with some vibrant red cabbage. Red cabbage is not only beautiful but also rich in antioxidants and just as low in carbs as green cabbage. If you prefer to shred your own cabbage, a mandoline slicer or a food processor with a shredding attachment can make quick work of it, ensuring uniform strands for the best texture. You can also experiment with Savoy cabbage for a softer, more delicate crunch. While we omit carrots in this specific recipe for a strict low-carb count, if you desire a hint of sweetness and are comfortable with a few extra carbs, you can finely grate a small amount of carrot and adjust your macros accordingly.
Crafting the Perfect Keto Coleslaw Dressing
The dressing is where the magic happens, transforming simple shredded cabbage into a flavorful side dish. Our **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** dressing is the heart of this recipe, striking the perfect balance between creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet without a single gram of added sugar. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients:
- Mayo: This provides the rich, creamy base that makes coleslaw so irresistible. Opt for a full-fat, sugar-free mayonnaise, ideally one made with avocado oil or olive oil, to ensure it aligns with keto principles and healthy fat intake.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): ACV is crucial for that characteristic tangy kick. It also adds a depth of flavor that complements the richness of the mayo. Its acidity brightens the entire dish and helps balance the sweetness from the sweetener.
- Sweetener: To replace the sugar found in traditional coleslaw, a high-quality zero-calorie sweetener is essential. Erythritol, Monk Fruit, or a blend of the two are excellent choices as they provide sweetness without spiking blood sugar or adding net carbs. Brands like Lakanto are highly recommended for their clean taste and keto-friendly composition.
- Finely Chopped Onion: A small amount of finely minced onion adds a subtle savory note and a hint of pungent flavor that elevates the dressing.
- Celery Salt: This is a secret ingredient that gives coleslaw its distinct, savory depth. It provides a unique flavor profile that makes the dressing taste authentic and incredibly satisfying.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning, allowing you to adjust the taste to your personal preference.
Combining these simple yet powerful ingredients creates a homemade dressing that’s superior to any store-bought version and perfectly tailored for your low-carb lifestyle.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Keto Coleslaw
Preparing this delicious **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** is incredibly straightforward and requires minimal effort. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a refreshing side dish ready to enjoy. Here’s how to do it:
- Gather Your Ingredients: Ensure you have all components ready: shredded coleslaw mix (without carrots), apple cider vinegar, zero-calorie sweetener, mayo, celery salt, finely chopped onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Having everything prepped makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, celery salt, finely chopped onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well combined. This is your chance to taste and adjust the seasoning. Do you prefer it a bit tangier? Add more ACV. Sweeter? A touch more sweetener. Remember, personal preference is key here.
- Combine and Coat: Place your shredded coleslaw mix (green and red cabbage) into a large serving bowl. Pour the freshly made creamy dressing over the cabbage. Using tongs or a large spoon, gently toss the cabbage until every strand is evenly coated with the dressing. Ensure the dressing is distributed thoroughly for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Chill for Flavor Development: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling is a crucial step! It allows the flavors to meld beautifully and penetrate the cabbage, enhancing the overall taste and texture. While you can eat it immediately, the flavors are significantly better after an hour or more in the fridge.
Nutritional Information & Carb Count
One of the most appealing aspects of this **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** is its excellent nutritional profile, particularly its incredibly low net carb count. Unlike traditional coleslaw recipes that can pack upwards of 15-20 grams of net carbs per serving due to added sugar and carrots, our recipe is specifically designed to be keto-friendly.
Each generous serving of this delicious **homemade keto coleslaw** contains approximately 2 net carbs. This makes it an ideal side dish for anyone strictly adhering to a ketogenic diet, which typically limits daily net carb intake to 20-50 grams. This low count is achieved by carefully selecting ingredients: using only cabbage (omitting carrots), and opting for a zero-calorie sweetener instead of refined sugar. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a classic comfort food without derailing your macros, providing a healthy and satisfying option for your low-carb meal plan.
Mayo vs. Vinegar: The Keto Coleslaw Debate
When it comes to coleslaw, there’s often a divide between fans of creamy, mayo-based versions and those who prefer a brighter, tangy vinegar-based slaw. The good news for keto enthusiasts is that both mayo coleslaw and vinegar coleslaw can be equally keto-friendly, provided you use the right ingredients. Full-fat mayonnaise and most types of vinegar (like apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or red wine vinegar) naturally contain zero carbs, making them excellent staples for low-carb cooking.
In this **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** recipe, we embrace the best of both worlds. We use full-fat mayonnaise to create that luscious, creamy texture that many people crave in a classic coleslaw. The mayo also contributes essential healthy fats, which are vital for meeting your macro goals on a ketogenic diet. Simultaneously, apple cider vinegar is incorporated to add a crucial element of acidity and tang. This not only brightens the flavor profile but also cuts through the richness of the mayo, creating a perfectly balanced dressing. The combination ensures a coleslaw that is both satisfyingly creamy and refreshingly zesty, appealing to a wide range of palates while remaining strictly low-carb.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Keto Coleslaw
This versatile **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** is the perfect companion for a wide array of dishes, especially those that evoke a sense of summer, BBQ, and hearty comfort food. Its refreshing crunch and creamy dressing offer a delightful contrast to rich, savory mains. Here are some fantastic keto-friendly pairing ideas:
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork: The tangy coleslaw cuts through the richness of tender pulled pork, making it an unbeatable combination.
- Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce: Slathered on any grilled meat, this sugar-free BBQ sauce combined with our coleslaw creates a classic BBQ experience.
- Air Fryer Ribs or Instant Pot Ribs: The coolness and crunch of the slaw perfectly complement juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs.
- Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole: A hearty, cheesy casserole is wonderfully balanced by a fresh side of coleslaw.
- Chicken and Avocado Salsa: For a lighter meal, this salsa alongside a scoop of coleslaw offers a fresh and vibrant plate.
- Grilled Chicken or Fish: Simple grilled proteins benefit greatly from the flavor and texture of this creamy slaw.
- Keto Burgers or Hot Dogs: Serve it on the side or even as a topping for a crunchy, flavorful addition.
- As a low-carb “taco” filling: Use it to add crunch and flavor to lettuce wraps or keto tortillas.
Want to add a unique twist? Make **Keto Blue Cheese Coleslaw** by simply sprinkling in some crumbled blue cheese when you add the mayo and seasonings to the cabbage. This is a fantastic way to introduce a sharp, piquant zest to your standard coleslaw, perfect for blue cheese lovers.
Diving Deeper into Mayo for Keto
Mayonnaise often gets a bad rap, but when chosen wisely, it’s actually an excellent ingredient for a **keto low-carb diet**. The key lies in selecting the right kind. Full-fat mayonnaise is rich in healthy fats, which are essential for meeting your daily macro goals and keeping you feeling satiated on keto. It provides the necessary fat content without contributing significant carbohydrates.
The main pitfall with conventional mayonnaise is that many brands add sugar, unhealthy seed oils (like soybean or canola oil), or are labeled “fat-free,” which usually means they’ve replaced fat with sugar and starches. To keep your **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** truly keto-friendly and healthy, always look for mayo that explicitly states “sugar-free” and is made with healthy fats. Mayonnaise made with avocado oil is a fantastic option, as avocado oil is a monounsaturated fat that is highly regarded for its health benefits and neutral flavor. I personally recommend checking out Avocado Oil Mayo from Thrive Market for a high-quality, keto-compliant choice.
The Calorie Comparison: Keto vs. Standard Coleslaw
One of the hidden culprits in traditional coleslaw recipes is the calorie and carb content, primarily due to excessive added sugar. Typical homemade coleslaw can easily contain around 200 calories and 14 grams of net carbs per serving. This number can skyrocket even further, as some recipes shockingly call for 1-2 cups of refined sugar for a single batch. That’s a significant carbohydrate overload, especially if you’re mindful of your intake!
In stark contrast, our **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** is a much lighter and healthier alternative. By eliminating refined sugar and carb-heavy carrots, we drastically reduce both the calorie and net carb count. This recipe delivers a satisfyingly creamy and flavorful coleslaw for only about 133 calories and just 2 net carbs per serving. This substantial reduction makes it an ideal choice for weight management and maintaining ketosis without sacrificing taste. You can enjoy a generous portion of this **healthy coleslaw recipe** knowing it aligns perfectly with your dietary goals, offering a guilt-free indulgence.
Meal Prep & Storage: Can You Make it Ahead?
Coleslaw is a fantastic dish for meal prepping, but there’s a delicate balance to strike between flavor development and maintaining optimal texture. While you *can* safely prepare **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** three to four days in advance of serving, you might find that the quality diminishes over time. The main challenge with making coleslaw too far ahead is that the dressing, particularly the vinegar and salt, can draw out moisture from the cabbage, leading to a watery and limp texture. This can compromise the crispness that makes coleslaw so enjoyable.
For the best results, it’s recommended to make your **homemade keto coleslaw** at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to properly meld and chill, but ideally, no more than 24 hours in advance. If you plan to make it further ahead, a clever trick is to prepare the dressing and the shredded cabbage separately. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator, and then combine them just a few hours before you intend to serve. This method ensures your coleslaw remains delightfully crisp and flavorful. Once mixed, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for the best quality.
Expert Tips for Your Best Keto Coleslaw
Achieving the perfect **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** is all about personal preference and a few key adjustments. The most important tip for this or any coleslaw recipe is to taste and adjust repeatedly as necessary. Don’t be afraid to customize the dressing to suit your palate. Here are some expert tips to help you:
- Achieving Creaminess: How creamy do you like your coleslaw? If you’re a fan of the super creamy texture, similar to popular restaurant versions, feel free to add additional full-fat mayo until you reach your desired consistency.
- For a Drier Slaw: If you prefer a lighter, less “wet” coleslaw, start with a smaller amount of mayo (e.g., ¼ cup) and gradually add more until it’s just right. You want the cabbage to be coated, not swimming.
- Adjusting Sweetness: The level of sweetness is entirely up to you. If you enjoy a sweeter coleslaw, don’t hesitate to add a little more zero-calorie sweetener until it hits your sweet spot. Remember to taste as you go.
- Boosting Tanginess: If you’re a fan of a very vinegar-based, tangy slaw, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar. When doing so, start with a teaspoon of sweetener and adjust upward if the tartness becomes too dominant. You’ll want to find that perfect balance between tang and sweetness.
- Add Fresh Herbs: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding fresh dill, parsley, or chives, finely chopped. These herbs can add a burst of freshness that complements the creamy dressing.
- Consider Dijon Mustard: A small teaspoon of Dijon mustard can add a subtle sharpness and complexity to the dressing, enhancing its overall savory profile.
By following these tips, you can transform this basic **sugar-free coleslaw** recipe into your signature dish!
More Keto-Friendly Salad Inspiration
If you’re loving this **Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw** and looking for more delicious and healthy salad options that fit your low-carb lifestyle, you’re in luck! Salads are incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to be keto-friendly, providing essential nutrients, fiber, and satisfying flavors. Here are some other fantastic recipes to add to your rotation:
- Keto Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad: A brilliant low-carb twist on classic pasta salad, using zucchini noodles for a refreshing and vibrant side.
- Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad: This clever recipe substitutes potatoes with cauliflower, mimicking the texture and heartiness of traditional potato salad without the carbs.
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad: A protein-packed and nutrient-rich salad featuring a creamy, herbaceous dressing, perfect for a light yet filling meal.
- Keto Chicken Salad: A versatile and easy-to-make chicken salad that’s perfect for meal prep, lettuce wraps, or avocado boats.
- Homemade Keto Ranch Salad Dressing: Ditch the store-bought versions filled with sugars and unhealthy oils, and make your own fresh, creamy, and keto-compliant ranch dressing.
These recipes prove that eating low-carb doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or variety. Enjoy exploring these delicious additions to your keto meal plan!
Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw
Brandi Crawford
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Equipment
- Serving Dish
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar I like for my coleslaw to have a taste of both vinegar and sweetness. To make the perfect slaw to fit your taste, I suggest you start with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sweetener. Taste repeatedly and adjust as needed.
- 2 tablespoons zero-calorie sweetener
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix I purchased the kind that is cabbage is only without carrots.
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
Instructions
- Add the mayo, finely chopped onion, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, celery salt, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add the coleslaw mix and red cabbage to a large serving bowl. Drizzle the mayo mixture throughout. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to serve chilled.
Video
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Notes
- You can purchase angel hair coleslaw (which is shredded cabbage without the carrots) at any grocery store. I purchased it along with red cabbage to make this dish. You can choose to use the version with carrots if you wish, just remember to adjust your macros as necessary.
- Decide how you prefer your coleslaw. Some prefer a really creamy coleslaw. If you like the KFC coleslaw, you may prefer yours to be really creamy. If so, add additional mayo as needed.
- If you prefer yours to be somewhat dry, start with ¼ cup of mayo and adjust as needed.
- If you like sweet coleslaw, adjust and add more sweetener.
- If you prefer a very vinegar-based slaw, add more vinegar and start with a teaspoon of sweetener and adjust as necessary.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.