This easy 3 ingredient coleslaw dressing is made with only 3 ingredients, yet it is so flavorful that your friends will want the recipe! This is a recipe from my Amish mother, known for being a great cook. Serve it as a side dish with savory grilled chicken at your next BBQ.
Sweet and tangy, and deliciously creamy, this dressing recipe will give you the best summer coleslaw you've ever tasted! Whip up a bowl for your next picnic, and watch it disappear. This stores well for several days, so you can make it ahead of time for your group and store in an airtight container.
3 ingredient coleslaw dressing: What You Need to Know
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- ⌛ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: 12
- 🔥 Calories: 17kcal
- 🥬 Perfect side for grilling season or a family dinner.
- ✅ Difficulty: Very Easy
- 🍳 Serving Suggestions: Serve alongside seasoned grilled chicken, stuffed deer tenderloins, or tasty bison cheesesteak sandwiches.
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Key Ingredients for 3 ingredient coleslaw dressing
- Miracle Whip. Of course, here is where most people use Mayo. And if you are a Mayo person, by all means use it! You may need to add a tad more vinegar, but overall it will be fine. I just don't like Mayo so I make it with Miracle Whip.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. You can use acv or white vinegar, either one works.
- Sugar. I use white granulated sugar. I haven't tried it with any other type of sweetener. If you try something different, please leave a comment and let us know!
How to make coleslaw dressing
- Step 1: First, mix the sugar and miracle whip together and let it set for 5 minutes so the sugar can begin to dissolve. I usually shred the cabbage during this time.
- Step 2: I cut my cabbage into chunks and pulse it in a food processor a few times to get it shredded perfectly. No messy grater here! But if you want to use a grater, or even a knife, it all works. Just use what you have.
- Step 3: Next, stir in the vinegar, and taste to make sure the sweet/tangy balance is correct. This recipe is how I like it, but you can add more sugar if you like it sweeter, or more vinegar if you like it more tangy.
- Step 4: Finally, pour the coleslaw dressing over your shredded cabbage, and give it a good stir. You can sprinkle with a bit of paprika, if you like, for a pretty touch of color. But the paprika is completely optional. You can also add some celery seed or celery salt, many like that flavor. I don't use it, but you might try it and see!
- Step 5: This recipe makes enough dressing for one bowl of coleslaw, however, you can triple or quadruple the recipe, and keep the rest in the fridge for later use.
- Step 6: Store extra in fridge for later. I like to serve it over lettuce salad as well, or drizzle over sliced tomatoes.
Tips for Three ingredient coleslaw dressing
- Use white or apple cider vinegar, both work great.
- You can use mayo or miracle whip, but miracle whip is more tangy.
- Let the sugar dissolve before adding vinegar - this helps get a true flavor profile so you know how much vinegar to add.
- Taste the dressing before pouring over the cabbage.
- You can use it as a dressing for lettuce salad, it is delicious!
- Pour some over sliced tomatoes for a delicious side.
- Chop two large ripe tomatoes, two large cucumbers, 1/2 onion, and 1/2 cup shredded cheese, and stir together with this dressing.
- You can also add a shredded apple or shredded carrot to add some sweetness and extra nutrition.
- Pile it on top of a BBQ pork sandwich for a wonderful southern treat!
Frequently asked questions
Mix 1/2 cup miracle whip, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 tablespoons sugar together.
If you use a sugar substitute like stevia or Splenda, then yes, a diabetic can eat coleslaw.
Sugar and vinegar mixed together is the basis for delicious coleslaw dressing!
Poppyseed dressing is a good substitute.
More ways to use coleslaw
I enjoy coleslaw all on its own, but I also enjoy it several other ways... On top of a BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Throw a few pickles on there and you have me! I blame it on my southern roots.
Split a baked potato, put some BBQ chicken meat on top, then a spoon of baked beans, next add a spoonful of coleslaw on top of that, and you have a hearty and delicious meal!
More Delicious Side Dishes
If you tried this 3 ingredient coleslaw dressing with mayonnaise or any other recipe on my website; pull up a chair and tell me how it turned out in the comments below! Don't forget to leave a 🌟 star rating!
3 ingredient coleslaw dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
- 2 TBSP white sugar
- 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Mix the Miracle Whip and sugar together.
- Add vinegar and mix well.
- Pour over 6 cups of shredded cabbage. (about 1/2 head of cabbage)
- Mix well and garnish with paprika if desired.
When I make Coleslaw I finely slice cabbage and add grated cheese, grated carrot, fresh sweet corn (just cooked and cooled) and garlic - then I add a couple of tablespoons of good quality mayonnaise, a dash of maple syrup and stir. It is so good!! I think I might make some tonight!!
That sounds good, Joluise! I will have to try that sometime. Thanks for stopping by!
I have been looking for a recipe like this that my Mom made when we were kids. Yeah, will try this week!
You mention sugar in the recipe. How much?
2 Tablespoons
My mother-in-law taught me a similar recipe 40 years ago using 1 cup of Miracle Whip, 1 TBSP sugar, 1 tsp vinegar, and milk to thin. I taste it to decide if it needs more sugar, more vinegar, or more milk, etc. We drizzle it on coleslaw, spring lettuce and green onion salad, etc. Her mother used to make this back before dressings were bottled. Love it!
Yes! My mother (and I) pour it on spring lettuce salad too. So delicious.