Coleslaw is the perfect side dish—refreshing, crunchy, and versatile. Whether you’re after something creamy, tangy, spicy, or uniquely Southern, these five standout recipes will add flavor and texture to your next meal.

1. Classic Creamy Coleslaw

A time-honored favorite featuring shredded green and red cabbage mixed with carrots, all coated in a two-minute creamy dressing of mayo, vinegar, sugar, and celery seed. It’s crunchy, sweet, tangy, and ideal for make-ahead gatherings.
👉 The Best Coleslaw Recipe – Spend With Pennies

2. No-Mayo Vinegar Slaw

Bright and refreshing, this mayo-free slaw is tossed in a zesty apple cider vinegar dressing with Dijon, honey, olive oil, celery seed, salt, and pepper. It’s light, crisp, and perfect for summer or lighter meals.
👉 Vinegar Coleslaw – Downshiftology

3. Spicy Korean‑Style Coleslaw

Cabbage and carrots are tossed in a punchy Asian dressing made with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), rice vinegar, fish sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sesame seeds. It brings vibrant flavor and heat to your table.
👉 Spicy Korean Coleslaw – My Korean Kitchen

4. Creamy German Coleslaw

This recipe delivers a creamy, slightly sweet profile with cabbage coated in a mixture of cider vinegar, sugar, celery seed, and mayo. It’s great for those who like traditional flavor with a smoother, tangy kick.
👉 Creamy German Coleslaw – Allrecipes

5. Dolly Parton’s Sweet‑Pickle Juice Coleslaw

Inspired by the country legend, this vibrant slaw mixes cabbage, onion, carrot, and bell pepper in a dressing made from mayo, sweet pickle juice, dill pickles, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper. A tip to salt the cabbage first ensures crispness.
👉 Dolly Parton’s Coleslaw – Simply Recipes

🧠 Tips for Perfect Slaw

• Texture first: Shred vegetables thinly (mandoline recommended) and soak in cold water if needed to boost crunch.
• Dress just before serving: Keeps slaw crisp—unless chilling is ideal for flavor melding.
• Balance is key: Creamy slaws need tang and sweetness; vinaigrettes benefit from a touch of fat to round things out.
• Season in layers: For mayo slaws, dress the veg lightly, let sit, then adjust salt/vinegar before serving.

📝 Comparison at a Glance

Whether you want classic creamy comfort, tangy freshness, bold spice, or country flair, this lineup has a coleslaw for every occasion. Try one—or all five—and bring some crunch to your next cookout!