No Mayo Coleslaw Lovers Unite! Healthy Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw
Introduction
If you’re searching for a fresh, crisp side dish that’s packed with flavor but skips the heaviness of mayo, this Healthy Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw is the answer. With a tangy dressing and plenty of crunchy vegetables, this slaw is both nourishing and delightfully refreshing. Whether you’re preparing lunches for the week, adding color to your cookout spread, or seeking a light side for grilled favorites, vinegar coleslaw is a crowd-pleasing staple you’ll want on repeat.
Flavorful, Zesty Healthy Vegetable Recipe
This apple cider vinegar coleslaw stands out for its sharp, bright dressing and array of colorful veggies. The balance of acidity from the vinegar, natural sweetness from carrots, and a hint of spice creates a vibrant salad that’s worlds apart from heavy, traditional versions. It’s perfect for those who love classic slaw crunch but want a healthier, dairy-free, and egg-free alternative.
The Perfect Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
A quick whisk of apple cider vinegar, a dab of mustard, and a touch of honey or maple syrup yields a dressing that’s both tangy and slightly sweet—with no mayo in sight. A little olive oil rounds it out for just enough richness. Pour this over your sliced vegetables, toss well, and let it sit for the flavors to meld—no fancy prep required.
How to Make Healthy Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw
Slice or shred your cabbage and carrots as thinly as possible for maximum crunch and flavor. Combine them in a large bowl, toss in a few extras like red onion or chopped herbs for an extra kick, and pour over your homemade dressing. A good toss, a brief chill, and your no-mayo, vinegar-based slaw is ready to enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Serve vinegar coleslaw alongside barbecue, roasted chicken, sandwiches, veggie burgers, or as a topping for tacos and grain bowls. Its fresh, crisp texture and zippy flavor wakes up any main dish and stands as a healthy vegetable recipe in its own right.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each serving is approximately 75–100 calories, loaded with vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats—all without added dairy or mayonnaise. It keeps well for 3–4 days in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prep.
No Mayo Coleslaw Recap
Healthy apple cider vinegar coleslaw is the ultimate side for coleslaw lovers wanting bold flavor and wholesome ingredients without any mayo. Its light, tangy bite is perfect for any gathering or quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a categorized shopping list—every ingredient grouped by department to make grocery trips a breeze. This is especially handy when planning healthy vegetable recipes for the week!

Instructions
- Shred the cabbage and carrots, and thinly slice the red onion. Place all vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Toss thoroughly to ensure every strand is coated.
- Add herbs, if desired, and toss again.
- Let the coleslaw rest for at least 20 minutes (or up to several hours) in the fridge to allow flavors to meld before serving.
- Serve chilled and enjoy as a side or topping.
Weekly Meal Planning
This vinegar coleslaw is fantastic for make-ahead lunches and meal prep! Save and schedule this recipe as part of your weekly plan—CookifyAI will automatically calculate the exact amounts you need for all your meals, generate a unified shopping list, and organize your ingredients by category.
Planning Benefits:
– Consolidates overlapping ingredients across your meals
– Prevents doubled items & helps reduce food waste
– Ensures you never forget a key ingredient, even on busy shopping trips
– Makes vegetable-forward meal prep simple and stress-free
Pro tip: Planning several healthy vegetable recipes together? Let CookifyAI combine and sync all your produce, spices, and pantry items so your list is always accurate and efficient.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes (recommended)
Total Time: 35 minutes