Summer Slaw Recipe (Light and Flavorful Coleslaw)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Our summer slaw is perfectly light and flavorful with crisp cabbage and a rainbow of veggies. This is an easy recipe for no mayo coleslaw! Grab a large bowl and get ready to make the best cabbage slaw recipe! 

titled collage for summer slaw recipe


 

If you’re looking for a bit of extra crunch in your meals, this is the perfect side dish. It’s not only a classic summer side dish, but it’s a must for any summer BBQ or meal.

And yes, the flavor is so good the next day as well! 

Our Favorite Summer Slaw

I am so happy to share with you a favorite side dish recipe seen during Season 12 of The Biggest Loser!  

This amazing Summer Slaw recipe was prepared during a cooking challenge by the Black Team. 

When I saw it, I knew I wanted the recipe, and I am very excited to be sharing it with you.

coleslaw recipe ingredients in small bowls

Ingredient Notes

I love this no mayo coleslaw! I make a double batch of the vinegar coleslaw dressing every time, because it’s a fantastic dressing for a garden salad too.

There is just enough creaminess from the sour cream to keep it from being a vinaigrette, with the perfect tang from the vinegar, and warm nuttiness from the sesame oil. It is a home run!!!

Although this is a vinegar slaw, you can use mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to replace the small amount of sour cream in the dressing.

cabbage salad in glass bowl

Tips for No Mayo Coleslaw

  • Make a double batch of vinegar coleslaw dressing. Trust me, it is so good you will find plenty of other things to put it on.
  • Store the dressing separate from the cabbage salad. Wait until you are ready to serve to toss the coleslaw.

    This helps prevent it from becoming too soggy. I like to keep the dressing in a mason jar.

To save time, buy a bag of coleslaw mix from the store!

This is faster than cutting up a head of cabbage, and you can still enjoy all the same flavors of the original recipe without a lot of the added prep.

This is a simple tip as it’s easy to whip up in no time to take to a summer barbecue to share with family and friends. 

bowl with summer slaw

Serving Suggestions

Vinegar based coleslaw recipes are more popular in southern parts of the U.S. So, I like to serve no mayo coleslaw with my favorite southern foods!  

It tastes fabulous alongside Dr Pepper Pulled Pork with sides of baked beansbuttermilk cornbread and a Crispy Chick Fil A Chicken Sandwich!!

Can I add fresh herbs to this summer coleslaw recipe?

Absolutely! The red cabbage and green cabbage pair really well with fresh ingredients like fresh cilantro. You can also add celery seed and anything else that you want.  

In addition to herbs, you can also add more bell peppers, extra red onion, or anything else that you want to add to the cabbage mixture. 

You can even get this healthy coleslaw a spicy kick by adding some red pepper flakes! 

homemade coleslaw, close up

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

 Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter Pinterest | Instagram


vinegar slaw in glass bowl

Other Summer Salad Recipes

no mayo coleslaw in glass salad bowl

Summer Slaw Recipe (Light and Flavorful Coleslaw)

Donna Elick
Our summer slaw is perfectly light and flavorful with crisp cabbage and a rainbow of veggies. This is an easy recipe for no mayo coleslaw!
5 stars from 2 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Method Mixed
Servings 6 – 8

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups shredded red cabbage
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 English cucumber, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, cut on the diagonal
  • 1 pint Sunburst tomatoes, sliced into halves

Vinegar Coleslaw Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons sour cream , or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, sesame oil, sour cream and salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, toss the cabbages, peppers, peas, cucumber, and tomatoes.
  • If serving immediately toss with dressing. Otherwise, dress the slaw salad right before serving.

Donna’s Notes

Recipe adapted from The Biggest Loser Quick & Easy Cookbook page 174

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 80cal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 218mg | Sugar: 6g | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled collage for summer slaw recipe

Originally published April 2012. Updated and republished August 2024

Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.

The Simple Kitchen cookbook affiliate linked banner

9 Comments

  1. You weren't kidding. This is gorgeous! I love all the colors and I bet Sean would especially love those flavors. Nice job!

  2. Can you use apple cider vinegar in place of red wine vinegar an what can you use in place of the sesame oil

  3. 5 stars
    This is so good, and I love that there’s no mayo in it. Love having this recipe on hand during the summer.

  4. 5 stars
    The crisp veggies and light dressing were so refreshing! This is definitely going in my recipe rotation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating