Coleslaw is one of my favorite side dishes. We have it once a week, especially in the summer, as it’s so easy to make. The dressing of your slaw can really make or break it though. Today we are sharing my go-to healthy coleslaw dressing!
Traditional coleslaw is made with mayonnaise. We are swapping it out for greek yogurt and and a little sour cream to lighten it up, but not skimp on flavor. We also have red wine vinegar, lime juice, and a touch of honey.
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It’s creamy and tangy and has a touch of sweetness. This recipe makes 1 cup and is plenty for a bag of store-bought coleslaw mix or you can make your own! I like my slaw lightly dressed, but you can use the amount you like!
Why we love this healthy coleslaw dressing recipe
- calls for only 5 simple ingredients – no added preservatives or fillers.
- super easy to make! – all you need to do is add everything to a bowl or jar and mix it up.
- lightened up – packed in more protein and less fat and calories than your typical store-bought variety.
Is coleslaw healthy?
Traditionally, coleslaw is a veggie-based dish made with cabbage and carrots and tossed in a creamy dressing. The vegetables have vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but the dressing is usually mayo-based which can add a lot of fat and calories to the dish and it can also have sugar added to it. Opting for a lighter dressing can save a ton of calories. It’s also important to watch how much dressing you use.
When making coleslaw at home, you have full control over the ingredients you are using and how much of each!
What is coleslaw dressing?
Coleslaw dressing is a creamy dressing used to dress coleslaw. It is traditionally made with mayonnaise, vinegar, an acid (like lemon or lime juice), sweetener, and spices. The result is creamy, tangy, and sweet. To lighten it up, use greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, which will cut down on calories and fat and increase protein.
Ingredients
- greek yogurt
- sour cream
- red wine vinegar
- lime juice
- honey
- salt and pepper
How to make healthy coleslaw dressing
- Make the dressing. Add your ingredients to a medium bowl or jar and stir well to combine. Adjust it according to taste.
- Enjoy! Toss with cabbage and carrots to make coleslaw. You can also serve it as a dressing or dip!
What to use coleslaw dressing on
While this greek yogurt coleslaw dressing was created with the use of coleslaw in mind, it’s so good you can use it on so many other things! Here are some suggestions:
- in coleslaw – with shredded cabbage, carrots, and whatever else you enjoy it in. Try my healthy coleslaw recipe!
- as a dressing for salad or a power bowl
- with grilled meats – chicken, pulled pork, brisket, or steak would be great!
- in tacos
- as a dip for veggies
- as a dip for roasted potatoes or sweet potato fries
- on sandwiches or burgers
Storage
- refrigerator – store in a tightly sealed glass jar (I love to use the ones I mix it in) in the fridge. It will last as long as your yogurt and sour cream lasts (look at the expiration date on it).
Substitutions and additions
- greek yogurt –greek yogurt is what helps lighten this recipe and gives it more protein than your average coleslaw dressing. If you don’t want to use all greek yogurt, you can substitute some mayonnaise or more sour cream. This will add a little richness and more fat. If you can’t have dairy, you can try a dairy-free greek yogurt. Any fat percentage will work. You will need to use plain yogurt.
- sour cream – you can use more greek yogurt or mayo.
- red wine vinegar – apple cider vinegar or white vinegar will work. Do not use balsamic vinegar.
- lime juice – lemon juice will work the same but will change the flavor slightly.
- honey – maple syrup will work instead.
Here are some additions you can add:
- spices – garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, or paprika would all be good.
- minced garlic
- dijon mustard or mustard powder
- celery seed
More healthy dressing recipes
- greek yogurt blue cheese dressing
- healthy caesar dressing
- orange vinaigrette
- burger sauce
- creamy avocado sauce
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Healthy Coleslaw Dressing
equipment
ingredients
- 3/4 cup full-fat plain greek yogurt (6 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Make the dressing. Add your ingredients to a medium bowl or jar and whisk well to combine. Adjust it according to taste.
- Enjoy! Toss with cabbage and carrots to make coleslaw. You can also serve it as a dressing or dip!
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nutrition
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I absolutely love it! Does the nutrition card provided include the cabbage mix or is it solely the nutrition for the dressing? Thank you for the great recipe!
Hi, Shelby! The nutrition facts are just for 1/2 cup of the dressing. Hope that helps!