Creamy Skinny Coleslaw Recipe (2024)

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10 minutes minutes

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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 05/01/2018

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Eating healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing great creamy coleslaw. You’ll love the tangy, slightly sweet flavor, and all the amazing crunchy textures. And at just 1 smart point per serving, you can enjoy one of your favorite warm weather side dishes without guilt!

Earlier this year, when I shared my easy Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork, I had a few of you email me asking about a healthy coleslaw to pile on top of it. I already had this recipe developed, so I’m happy to share it with you here today!

Here in the Midwest, it’s an unspoken thing that most people put coleslaw on top of their pulled pork/chicken/beef sandwiches. There’s something about the combination of temperatures, textures and flavors that’s just SOmouthwatering!!

HOW DO YOU MAKE COLESLAW

Traditionally, coleslaw is mayo based, and it uses a lot of it. Shredded cabbage, carrots, onion, mayo, vinegar/lemon juice, sugar, salt, pepper and ground celery seed are the usual ingredients in a coleslaw recipe. All of my regular, non-skinny coleslaw recipes use at least 1/2 cup of mayo, which adds up to a lot of points! They usually use a good bit of sugar, which also racks up the points.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE COLESLAW HEALTHIER

The first major swap was to switch out the mayo in favor of a zero point food, non-fat plain greek yogurt. It’s more tangy than mayo, but still gives it a nice creamy consistency. I also reduced the amount of sugar.

HOW LONG DOES COLESLAW KEEP IN THE REFRIGERATOR

The beauty of a great coleslaw is that it actually needs to sit in the fridge in order for the flavors to really combine and mellow. But coleslaw can be made in advance and kept refrigerated (in an airtight container) for 2-3 days.

CAN YOU FREEZE COLESLAW

Certain kinds, yes, but with reservations. Oil and vinegar based coleslaws can be frozen, but they will lose their crunch. Any coleslaw that’s mayo or yogurt based will not freeze well, as the dressing can separate.

The inspiration for this recipe comes from three sources. My sweet and tangy coleslaw, a Chick-Fil-A copycat recipe I’m working on for my other website, and this recipe from Gimme Some Oven. Ali has some fantastic recipes there, and she really got the proportion of greek yogurt right.

To make it easy and really cut down the prep time, I used a bag of shredded coleslaw mix and just chopped it up a little bit. I chose not to add purple cabbage here, to keep that classic coleslaw color, but it would be a great addition. If you’re feeling ambitious, go ahead and grab a head of green cabbage and a few carrots and grate them on your box grater.

As we head into summer bbq and potluck season, give this skinny coleslaw recipe a try, and don’t forget to have some on top of this pulled pork or shredded beef barbecue!

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Creamy Skinny Coleslaw Recipe

4.50 from 28 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Calories: 34

Servings: 8 servings

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This ultra creamy coleslaw is tangy with a hint of sweetness and plenty of crunch.

Ingredients

▢ 2/3 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
▢ 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
▢ 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice , fresh is best
▢ 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
▢ 1/4 tsp ground celery seed
▢ kosher salt and black pepper, to taste (I like mine peppery)
▢ 10 oz bag of shredded coleslaw mix
▢ 1/3 cup red onion or shallots , finely minced
▢ 2 Tbsp green onions, sliced

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, celery seed, salt and pepper. Whisk until a dressing forms.
Add coleslaw mix, red onion, and green onions. Toss to combine, making sure all the coleslaw is coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Taste and adjust salt and pepper seasoning.

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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I’m not a nutritionist, and nutritional values here on my recipes should be used for general information purposes only. This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new diet and fitness regimen.

Reader Interactions

Cindy says
Posted on 4/16 at 11:45 am
This sounds delicious! Can this be frozen?
Reply
- Amanda says
  Posted on 4/16 at 2:05 pm
  I don’t recommend freezing this coleslaw, as the texture can get unpleasant.
  Reply
Lindsay R says
Posted on 8/26 at 6:14 pm
The hubs and I are pretty health conscious people and are always looking for healthy alternatives. But one that he has never budged on is using Greek yogurt as a replacement. “I’ll take the fat and calories in light mayo over that awful devils yogurt” he said once. Trust me, ladies and gents, I have tried to sneak it in more than once. He can always tell and refuses to eat it. I’ve even gone as far as to swap containers and put Greek yogurt into low-fat cottage cheese containers (which he also won’t eat). No luck. He can always tell. Until tonight.
I made pulled pork tonight, (highly recommend recipe by The Clean Eating Couple), and like the author, we like to top our pulled pork with creamy coleslaw. I thought I would try slipping in Greek yogurt one more time.and …. GUYS! It worked! He couldn’t even tell! (And so I kept my lips shut).
I did use no calorie sweetener instead of sugar. Which always has a certain taste about it. I think I’ll go for the real thing next time and calories be damned. And I made the mistake of tasting it right after I whipped up a batch. DONT DO THIS. Let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours and let the flavors come together. My first bite was too sweet and lemony and concerned me that it didn’t taste at all like creamy Cole slaw. But after 2 hours in the fridge, I was amazed.
WONDERFUL recipe! Thank you for helping me trick the hubs!
Reply
Jessica says
See Also
Disneyland Coleslaw Recipe | The Bewitchin' Kitchen
Posted on 8/23 at 5:09 pm
This was very good – the dressing was nice any tangy! I was making this “on the fly” and had to make a change. I only had a scant half cup of nonfat Greek yogurt so I added some reduced-calorie mayonnaise to get to two thirds of a cup. After tasting the dressing, I added a squirt or two of Dijon mustard and a dash of garlic powder, because that’s how I like my coleslaw. But that was just a matter of personal taste – this is a very good recipe for coleslaw that tastes great with few calories.
Reply
JeskaJones says
Posted on 7/7 at 12:28 am
I just made this tonight! It’s not done “resting” yet, but I’m thrilled with how it turned out already! I used fa*ge 0% yogurt, which is super dense and creamy! Such good yogurt in general! It has the texture of sour cream and not very tart. But I digress! I ended up using dried dill in place of the celery seeds, so I’ll be trying it again when I can get some seeds, but the dill is dillicious!! I also had to use lime instead of lemon, lakanto granules for sweetener, and yellow onion. Sadly, I didn’t have any scallions. Can’t wait until next time! Thanks for an easy healthy recipe that comes together easily, and satisfied some nostalgia for a BBQ during the quarantime!
Reply
Carole says
Posted on 2/28 at 10:29 am
Looks delicious, I will be making!
Reply
SusanfromKentucky says
Posted on 1/11 at 3:07 pm
So yummy!!
Reply
Terry says
Posted on 6/17 at 7:43 pm
Just made this and only thing I changed was I used 3 tablespoons on monk fruit granular sweetener instead of sugar. I like my cole slaw on the sweeter side. Delicious!
Reply
Brent says
Posted on 4/30 at 4:00 pm
I never leave comments and had to on this. Only thing I changed was I added a pinch of granulated garlic and some Cajun seasoning. My 6yr old approved
Reply
- Joli says
  Posted on 6/15 at 4:41 am
  I made this without sugar and I really liked it. I used fat free Greek yogurt which worked really well. Thanks for recipe!
  Reply
Glenn says
Posted on 4/20 at 4:25 pm
What is the serving size because it’s not mentioned here?
Reply
- The Chunky Chef says
  Posted on 4/22 at 10:07 am
  It’s not measured specifically, but this recipe serves 8.
  Reply
Tricia says
Posted on 4/1 at 12:02 pm
Can’t wait to try this afternoon! Growing up on my mother’s Cole slaw, hate the store bought mayo with some cabbage added.
Reply
Lucky Cedarlane says
Posted on 3/16 at 4:03 pm
made this but used honey , no sugar and it was GREAT ! oh i did 1/2 cabbage, a small red cabbage, 4 carrots and i add a NewOrleans PINCH of Cayenne & 1tbs of fresh lemon ! so so GOOD Thanks for this
Reply
Lauren says
Posted on 8/14 at 10:28 pm
I never leave comments, but holy smokes this is good! I did use a mix of Greek yogurt and mayo but that’s the only thing I changed. The flavor is amazing!
Reply
Krista says
Posted on 5/4 at 9:19 am
This is perfect for our Summer BBQ’s!
Reply
Des says
Posted on 5/3 at 10:02 am
I would come home with an empty bowl from every potluck I bring this to. Fabulous!
Reply
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
Posted on 5/3 at 9:14 am
Healthy and yummy! Love this for summer! Healthy means I can eat more, right?
Reply
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Posted on 5/3 at 6:56 am
This sounds fantastic!! I love that you made a lighter version!!
Reply
Dee says
Posted on 5/2 at 11:22 pm
We love pulled pork and coleslaw, and I love that you found a way to lighten it up!
Reply
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Posted on 5/2 at 8:43 pm
This will be such a perfect side dish this summer! Love the lighter dressing made with greek yogurt!
Reply
I Heart Naptime says
Posted on 5/2 at 7:42 pm
Looks delicious! Perfect for BBQs this Summer!
Reply
Dawn says
Posted on 5/2 at 5:51 am
Serves 8; how many ounces in one serving for 1 smart point?
Reply
- The Chunky Chef says
  Posted on 5/2 at 7:41 am
  Hi Dawn 🙂 No exact amount, just 1/8 of the recipe.
  Reply

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FAQs

Why is KFC coleslaw so good? ›

KFC's coleslaw stands out because of its sweet and tangy dressing, but the slaw's texture is what makes it one of a kind. The very finely chopped cabbage and carrots are a stark contrast to the typical stringy shredded veggies found in bagged coleslaw mix.

Learn More Now ›

What is creamy coleslaw made of? ›

Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth! Then, combine the veggies. Add the scallions, red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrot to a large bowl, and toss to combine.

Get More Info Here ›

Can you eat coleslaw when trying to lose weight? ›

Yes. Coleslaw can absolutely be part of a healthy eating plan as long as you choose your dressing carefully. Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition.

How do you keep homemade coleslaw from being watery? ›

With the shredded cabbage in a colander, mix in a tablespoon of salt per head of cabbage till it's evenly distributed. The salt will draw out excess water from cabbage while helping preserve the crispiness. After letting it sit for an hour or two, rinse it with water to remove the salt.

Explore More ›

What is the most unhealthy thing from KFC? ›

Worst: Extra Crispy

Here's where "crispy" is a code word for "steer clear." The extra crispy recipe is by far the least healthful of KFC's chicken options. A single breast will set you back 530 calories, 35 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat.

Show Me More ›

Why did KFC stop selling coleslaw? ›

The fast food chain was forced to stop selling its coleslaw tubs when a supply issue meant the slaw would have to be served up without the dressing. “We are currently experiencing a supply issue with our KFC coleslaw dressing,” a KFC spokesperson said. The slaw is made up of cabbage and carrots coated in mayonnaise.

Learn More Now ›

Does creamy coleslaw have sugar? ›

Ingredients: CABBAGE, CREAMY COLESLAW DRESSING {LITE MAYONNAISE [WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, EGG YOLK, CORN STARCH, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, EGG WHITE, XANTHAN GUM, SPICE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, DL-ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), NATURAL FLAVOR], SUGAR, CIDER VINEGAR, DISTILLED VINEGAR, DIJON ...

Discover More Details ›

What is the dressing made of in coleslaw with mayonnaise? ›

What Is Coleslaw Dressing Made Of? This creamy, mayo-based dressing uses ingredients you likely have on hand: sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and of course, mayonnaise. The resulting dressing is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and peppery!

Read On ›

How long will creamy coleslaw keep in the refrigerator? ›

Assuming that you're storing your coleslaw in the refrigerator — and haven't taken it out for a stretch of time and put it back in — coleslaw can safely last up to five days. However, it's important to remember that this is the maximum amount of time it should be kept.

Which is healthier potato salad or coleslaw? ›

While you're likely to put both these items on your picnic or barbecue plate in Bermuda, coleslaw is the better option. “Coleslaw is lower in fat and lower in sodium and has natural vegetables,” said Hannah Simpson, Clinical Dietitian at KEMH.

Show Me More ›

Is coleslaw good for your bowels? ›

Improves Gut Health

Coleslaw salad is rich in fiber because of the presence of raw cabbage. The RDA of fiber for an adult is 30g per day. It can become challenging to consume this much amount of fiber per day. However, 120 g portion of cabbage is sufficient to meet 10% of daily fiber needs.

See Details ›

Should cabbage be salted before making coleslaw? ›

Salting the cabbage, carrot, and onion purges excess moisture that would otherwise turn the slaw into a soupy mess. Including sugar (another osmosis-inducing ingredient) balances the flavor. Limiting the purge to five minutes keeps the cabbage crunchy.

How do you reduce the bitterness in coleslaw? ›

For every 2 cups of sliced cabbage, mix it with about a teaspoon of salt. Kenji Lopez- Alt also found it was beneficial to add a teaspoon of sugar too. Both salt and sugar promote osmosis, which draws out any water from the cabbage. And the sugar can balance out some of the bitterness in the cabbage.

Learn More ›

How to thicken up coleslaw? ›

Xanthan gum is a niche ingredient known to many gluten-free bakers for its thickening qualities. This is why we recommend using the powder as a thickening agent in a coleslaw recipe.

Know More ›

Is coleslaw from KFC healthy? ›

KFC coleslaw contains a moderate amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. It also provides some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and vitamin K. However, it is important to note that KFC coleslaw is high in sodium and sugar, which can be a concern for those on a restricted diet.

Read On ›

How long will KFC coleslaw last in the refrigerator? ›

Stir a few times before serving. Slaw best if made several hours before serving. It will get watery after several hours but that is normal. It will keep for 3 day in the fridge.