The Best Easy Coleslaw Recipe (no mayo)

This is the very best easy coleslaw recipe I know.  I’ve had it for a number of years, and I’ve made it countless times.  The person who gave it to me made me promise not to tell anyone where I got it, so I won’t.

So what’s good about it?  It’s delicious.  You can make it ahead.  It travels so well that I’ve packed it in a zipper bag, plopped it in a cooler, and taken it to a function 3 or 4 hours away.  This coleslaw is such a champ that not only did it arrive just fine, but several people wanted the recipe.  With no mayo, you can take it to a summertime picnic safely.

So what makes it so easy?  Four ingredients.  That’s right, four ingredients total, and you can buy them all:  coleslaw mix, Gerard’s Champagne salad dressing, feta cheese, and slivered almonds.  

Seriously, that’s it.

I especially like the angel hair coleslaw mix with both white and purple cabbage plus shredded carrots if I can find it.  Gerard’s Champagne salad dressing can be found at large grocery stores.  It’s usually on the top shelf.  My source told me not to ever substitute some other dressing, so I never have.  Gerard’s Champagne dressing is crisp, a little Dijon-mustardy, and just right.  I try to toast the almonds in a dry skillet with a pinch of salt until they’re fragrant, but I’ve been known to forget.  In any case,  I toss the ingredients together and throw it in the fridge until chilled.  It will keep for several days, in fact, the flavors meld nicely overnight.

Q:  So what’s the word for cole slaw that’s silly easy, travels well, can be made ahead, and is very tasty, too?  

A:  Perfect!

Print Recipe

The Best Easy Cole Slaw

A family favorite!

Ingredients

• 1 6 oz. bag slivered almonds
• pinch of salt
• 1 bag tri-colored slaw mix
• 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
• 1 12 oz. bottle Gerard's Cahmpagne Vinaigrette

Instructions

• Put the almonds in a skillet large enough to hold them in one layer, and add the pinch of salt. Warm over medium low heat, stirring frequently, until almonds are fragrant.
• Combine slaw mix, almonds, and feta in a mixing bowl. Toss well. Shake the dressing, and add about ¾ of it to the slaw mix. Toss again. If you think it needs more dressing, add it a little at a time, tossing between any additions.
• Chill and serve.