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    Creamy Coleslaw

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    There are countless variations of this popular side dish; my recipe is inspired by my mom's, which includes apples and raisins. I use a cashew-based dressing instead of oily vegan mayo, but you can easily forego the cashews for a lighter dressing.

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    Creamy Coleslaw


    • Total Time: 20 mins
    • Yield: 6 (makes about 8 cups salad, 1 cup dressing) 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Ingredients

    Scale
    • For the salad:
    • 3 cups chopped green cabbage
    • 1¾ cups grated carrots (1 to 2 medium)
    • 1½ cups diced apple (1 to 2 medium), peeled or unpeeled
    • 1 cup chopped red cabbage
    • ½ cup raisins
    • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
    •  
    • For the dressing:
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 ounces raw, unsalted cashews (about ½ cup)
    • 2 tablespoons mustard (I like Dijon or stone ground)
    • 1 tablespoon vinegar (I like apple cider)
    • 1 medium clove garlic, sliced

    Instructions

    1. Place all of the dressing ingredients (water, cashews, mustard, vinegar, and garlic) into a blender, and set aside for at least 15 minutes (so the cashews can soften).
    2. Place all of the salad ingredients (green cabbage, carrots, apple, red cabbage, raisins, and onion) into a large bowl.
    3. Blend the dressing ingredients until smooth. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.

    Notes

    For a little variation, add ¼ cup of thinly sliced radish, celery, or fresh fennel, or ½ cup of chopped bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, or pineapple.

    For a lower-fat dressing, substitute ¾ to 1 cup of cooked white beans for the cashews.

    • Prep Time: 20 mins

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ⅙ recipe, 1.3 cups
    • Calories: 141
    • Sugar: 14.9g
    • Sodium: 95mg
    • Fat: 4.6g
    • Saturated Fat: 0.8g
    • Carbohydrates: 24.7g
    • Fiber: 4.1g
    • Protein: 3.6g
    • Cholesterol: 0

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @straightupfood and hashtag it #straightupfood - we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

    Coleslaw_SUF_2201
    Coleslaw_SUF_2278

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. James Welch

      September 01, 2013 at 6:28 pm

      Just made this and it is FANTASTIC! I think my fiancee may eat the whole batch before we make it to dinner time and he's not even vegan...and he doesn't like traditional cole slaw. Added celery seed and squeezed some lemon juice into the dressing as suggested in the notes. Also used currents instead of raisins, which I do quite often anyway. Super, super GOOD STUFF! Thank you so much for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 01, 2013 at 6:42 pm

        Hi James, Yay! Thank you for the feedback. You're my first comment, and I'm so glad you both enjoyed it! 😉 Cathy

        Reply
    2. Heidi

      September 01, 2013 at 9:14 pm

      Love that you offered a suggestion with the cashews! I don't use many nuts in my cooking. So having the option already spelled out was super helpful. 🙂 I made a batch this afternoon to have tonight. Cheers!!

      Reply
      • Ainoa

        June 20, 2018 at 12:06 am

        Hi Heidi! Did you use White beans instead of cashews?? How it was??

        Reply
    3. Ellen

      September 01, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      This looks fantastic. I have all the ingredients - gonna make it tomorrow! Thanks!

      Reply
    4. JoanieART

      September 02, 2013 at 11:29 pm

      This is amazing. I've been salivating since I first read it, but tonite it was my main dinner...let's see 3 bowls? That dressing is to die for, as the saying goes. Great job, Cathy, and thanks so much for sharing. It's my next potluck meal.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 03, 2013 at 7:48 pm

        Woo hoo! Thanks Joanie! 😉

        Reply
    5. Lynn

      September 04, 2013 at 2:43 am

      This is really delicious, and a great food bargain!

      I bought all of the ingredients on my way home from work (except for the cashews, which I already had), and spent less than $5.00. For that I ended up with a large amount of really great tasting, healthy food. This is so amazing and good! Thank you for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 06, 2013 at 11:23 pm

        Great to hear, thanks Lynn! 😉

        Reply
    6. loveandkale

      September 07, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      I am at a party and they served this and I ate 4 bowls. Is that too much?

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 08, 2013 at 12:18 am

        Ha! 🙂 No way! xo

        Reply
    7. Monica

      September 11, 2013 at 11:05 am

      Absolutely delicious, Cathy!! Thank you!

      Reply
    8. Kathy G

      September 14, 2013 at 1:58 pm

      Cathy, this is fabulous! I made this for a plant-strong potluck that I am going to tonight. I couldn't stop taste testing! I hope I have leftovers to bring home. If not, I will have to make again tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 14, 2013 at 2:10 pm

        Thanks for the comment Kathy! 🙂 Yay!

        Reply
    9. Frances Martinez

      October 01, 2013 at 4:09 pm

      It is delicious! Question: About how many calories in a cup? I'm entering my daily meals on MyFitnessPal.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        October 01, 2013 at 7:02 pm

        Hi Frances, I don't calculate calories with the recipes, but you can at Cron-o-meter by entering the recipe ingredients/amounts. http://cronometer.com/ 🙂

        Reply
    10. Samantha Jane

      October 02, 2013 at 12:45 pm

      Your cashew dressing is just FANTASTIC!!! However I want to share a tip for people who are rushed and forgetful like me..I don't put all the ingredients in the blender with the cashews..I make the cashews soften in just enough water to cover them..then I start the blender and only once they are creamy do I add the rest of the ingredients..I did this the first time 'cos I was late for dinner and had forgotten to set the cashews aside..and it worked!!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        October 02, 2013 at 1:00 pm

        Great tip, thanks! 😉

        Reply
    11. Kristi Rimkus

      October 22, 2013 at 11:25 pm

      Love the dressing. I'm a big slaw fan and the cashew dressing sounds amazing!

      Reply
    12. Linda

      November 17, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      I've made this recipe three times now. Love it!

      Reply
    13. Hope Green

      November 26, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      Bless you!! We did the 10 day McDougall program in June and have missed our old favorite cole slaw recipe that Himself would make 2x a week- with Miracle Whip of course... Yea Team!!! Cathy to the rescue... I can't wait to make this up with celery seed and from the reviews I know it will be pure bliss!!!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        November 26, 2013 at 7:51 pm

        Hi Hope, thanks for the comment! 🙂 Yes, that one is very popular. Let me know how you and your husband like it.

        Reply
    14. Debbie

      November 27, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      I am taking the Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from Cornell and while I have been plant based for some time, cooking without oil is fairly new to me. So I was glad when I stumbled onto your site with recipes that don't use WHEAT or other concentrated sugars like a lot of the WFPB recipe books do! I'm just curious, do you avoid wheat because of intolerance to it or for other health reasons (effects of gluten, gliadin protein)? Looking forward to trying out the recipes.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        November 27, 2013 at 11:20 pm

        Hi Debbie, thanks for your comment. I avoid wheat because I work at TrueNorth Health Center (this is where I mostly teach my classes) and so wanted to keep my recipes along their guidelines, including no wheat. They don't use it because so many people are sensitive to it. I don't seem to have a sensitivity to it, but I don't miss it at all in my recipes or in my diet. Cathy 🙂

        Reply
    15. Jody

      March 05, 2014 at 12:35 am

      I love good coleslaw and this is the best I ever had! Thank you!

      Reply
    16. Julie

      March 24, 2014 at 8:49 pm

      Oh thank you so much for this one! I made it yesterday and it was so delightful, everyone gobbled it up like dessert. It was such a hit I'm making it for an Easter potluck at work in a couple of weeks.. Creamy coleslaw for everyone!

      Reply
    17. April

      March 31, 2014 at 12:43 pm

      I made it this past weekend, and my husband and I couldn't get enough. As noted, it was even better the next day. We will be having this on a weekly basis. Thank you so much for the recipe!

      Reply
    18. Linda

      May 09, 2014 at 1:02 pm

      I use the bottom half of baby bok choy to make coleslaw. It gives it a nice sweetness.

      Reply
    19. Heather Pacheco

      May 21, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      Cathy - I have a son with nut allergies. Have you ever tried this with a seed (or other non-nut) substitute?

      Reply
      • Cathy

        May 22, 2014 at 1:30 am

        Hi Heather, no but I'm sure it would work fine. I use sesame seeds in this similar dressing. 🙂

        Reply
    20. Pam

      August 08, 2014 at 3:31 pm

      Thank you so much for this and all the other great recipes on this site! My husband gave this one 4 stars when we had it at lunch yesterday. I've shared this site with other WFPB friends and they love it too! One even said "I spent a long time looking at that new website last night. She is really good!" I agree!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        August 09, 2014 at 1:40 am

        Thank you for your comment, Pam! 😉 Aww, so nice. Glad your husband liked this one--4 stars, wow!

        Reply
    21. Emily

      February 22, 2015 at 4:26 pm

      We have an over abundance of chayote squash growing right now, so tried this recipe and replaced the cabbage with chayote and it was great!! thanks!!

      Reply
      • Emily

        February 23, 2015 at 10:52 am

        Had it for breakfast this morning and added a diced papaya from the backyard. Amazing flavors.

        Reply
    22. Lynn M

      March 14, 2015 at 8:48 pm

      My husband has nut allergies, but can eat almonds so I blanched some and used them instead of the cashews (I have used seeds in other recipes calling for cashews, but not this tone - yet). He claims to not like coleslaw (well actually he claim not to like any vegetables), but ate a fairly substantial portion of this coleslaw an said it was pretty good! I loved it - thank you.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        March 15, 2015 at 10:54 pm

        Love to hear that! 🙂 Thanks Lynn!

        Reply
    23. Nancy

      March 28, 2015 at 6:50 am

      Hi Cathy, I was searching for a cole slaw dressing and came across this one. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        March 28, 2015 at 4:14 pm

        😉

        Reply
    24. Nancy

      March 29, 2015 at 6:25 pm

      I just made this tonight. I decided to taste a small bowl, just to see how I'd like it. It is now half gone. Thank you so much for sharing! This one is a keeper.

      Reply
    25. Jennifer

      June 16, 2016 at 10:31 am

      Hi Cathy,
      Please if I'm skipping the cashews do I still add 1/2 cup of water or I'd reduce it to (?)
      Thanks so much for your recipes! 🙂

      Reply
      • Cathy

        June 16, 2016 at 11:58 pm

        Still use the water as written. 🙂

        Reply
    26. Misty Munzinger

      November 25, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Hi, Cathy - I'm excited to make this recipe since I love coleslaw, however, I absolutely can't stand mustard. Any suggestions for a mustard replacement for this dish? thank you in advance!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        November 25, 2017 at 2:36 pm

        I'd just leave it out. 🙂

        Reply
    27. Kathleen Chernes

      August 17, 2018 at 11:11 am

      I love coleslaw and have tried a number of healthy recipes but this is best one I have found. I made it with the cashews but will try the beans next time to see the difference. I can finally stop searching. Thanks

      Reply
      • Cathy

        August 20, 2018 at 11:59 am

        Yay! 🙂 Or you can use the beans and throw in a couple cashews for a little richness. 🙂

        Reply
    28. Katie

      August 28, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      Do you think lemon juice would work in place of the vinegar?

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 04, 2018 at 6:36 pm

        Sure 🙂

        Reply
    29. Kevin Moore

      August 31, 2019 at 12:00 pm

      Great coleslaw! I added the pineapple you suggested and it was awesome. I'm trying to keep a few of your salad recipes in the refrigerator for a quick meal and this one is a keeper. Thanks Cathy.

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 02, 2019 at 2:59 pm

        Thanks Kevin! I never tried the pineapple, but sensed it would be great; thanks for confirming! 😉

        Reply
    30. Pam in Sacramento

      September 10, 2019 at 3:54 pm

      A quick tale that proves the value of good pictures in cookbooks:

      I was perusing the salad section of your cookbook, and Hubby happen to glance over at the book as I flipped past page page 65.

      He: Hey, go back! What was that?
      Me (turning back the page): A coleslaw recipe.
      He: That looks really good. Would you make it?
      Me: Really? You don't like coleslaw. I don't like coleslaw!
      He: I know, but it looks REALLY good...it doesn't look like coleslaw. Please make it anyway.

      ...trip to store, blending, slicing, shredding, mixing, chilling...I served it with Black Bean chili...

      He: Is that the coleslaw? It looks just like the picture.
      Me: Yup. Try some.
      He (munching): I really like this coleslaw! I don't like any other coleslaw, but I really like this coleslaw! You can make it again any time.
      Me: I like it a lot, too. I think it is the raisins and apple. I will make it again.

      😊👍

      The leftovers were really good the next day, too. I'm going to try the pineapple variation, too. Another winner!

      Thank you, Cathy!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        September 10, 2019 at 6:05 pm

        Hi Pam! Love it! Thanks for the play by play, that was great! I may share that on my FB page (w/o name). 🙂

        Reply
    31. Julann

      November 23, 2019 at 1:23 pm

      Just made the creamy coleslaw. It is delicious!!😋

      Reply
    32. Kathy Hostetter

      January 05, 2020 at 5:07 pm

      Hi. I made the Creamy Coleslaw today and I absolutely love it! Thanks for another great go-to recipe. Happy New Year!

      Reply
      • Cathy

        January 06, 2020 at 12:55 pm

        Hi Kathy, thank you and happy new year! 😉

        Reply
    33. Jill Princehouse

      June 22, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      Hi Kathy: I have lentil soup plus orange bell pepper in the IP for dinner tonight. I'm gonna learn to use the IP or get rid of it.

      I make Beefless Stew fairly often. I'm anxious to watch you make it.

      Jill

      Reply
      • Cathy

        June 22, 2020 at 10:24 pm

        Thanks Jill! 😉

        Reply
    34. Charlotte C Martin

      May 19, 2021 at 10:32 am

      Yes, I made this Creamy Coleslaw and have taken it to potlucks several times. It is always a hit!

      Reply

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