Does anyone else struggle to find coleslaw that is just right? Either it’s too creamy, too acidic, too sweet, or too old. Plus, if you are on keto, it’s almost always too high in carbs.
For a quick low carb coleslaw you can rely on, it’s best to make it yourself. Skip that pre-made, sugar-filled coleslaw from the grocery store or KFC — Let’s transform everyday low-carb ingredients into a perfectly-balanced keto coleslaw instead.
Is Coleslaw Keto? Carbs in Coleslaw
Whether it’s from the grocery store, a fast-food chain, or a traditional recipe, most coleslaw relies on added sugars for sweetness. This turns what should be a delicious and healthy mix of keto-friendly ingredients into an unhealthy side.
KFC coleslaw, for example, has ~26 grams of net carbs per cup. Compare this to keto coleslaw, which has less than 4 grams of net carbs per cup and all of the flavors you crave from a high-quality, creamy slaw.
Top Three Tips for The Best Low Carb Coleslaw in 5 Minutes or Less
With the right ingredients on hand, you can make a delicious and healthy keto coleslaw in less than 5 minutes. For the best coleslaw, keep these three tips in mind:
- Use a bag of slaw mix for the quickest keto coleslaw. In the grocery store, look for a pre-shredded coleslaw mix that mostly consists of green and/or red cabbage. Just double-check the label to make sure you can fit a serving within your carb limit for the day.
- Get the sweetness from the right keto sweetener. Liquid or powdered keto-friendly sweeteners will work best with the recipe. Granular options can leave your low carb coleslaw with a gritty texture.
- Don’t forget the high-quality mayo. The right mayo can make the difference between a craveable coleslaw and a slaw that falls short. For help finding the best keto mayo, check out our guide to keto-friendly mayonnaise.
Bonus Tip: If you prefer the flavor and texture of KFC coleslaw, add the following two steps to the recipe: (1) use a food processor to cut the shredded veggies into smaller chunks and (2) add 2-3 tablespoons of full-fat sour cream to your coleslaw dressing.
Can You Make Low Carb Coleslaw Ahead?
Yes, you can – and it’s recommended to do so since it will develop a softer, more flavorful coleslaw. If you want to make it far ahead of time, simply store your coleslaw vegetable mix and coleslaw dressing separately and mix them together the night before serving.
Even if you need a quick side for dinner, you can still make it work. Just make this low carb coleslaw before preparing your main dish, let it sit in the fridge, and take it out when the rest of your meal is ready.
How To Store Your Keto Coleslaw
Once the coleslaw dressing and veggies are mixed together, you can store it in the fridge for 3-5 days.
If you are looking to store it for longer, it is best to keep the keto coleslaw dressing and veggies separate until the night before you’re planning to have it. This can help keep the ingredients fresh for around a week.
What To Eat with Your Low Carb Coleslaw
Since it is filled with healthy fats and keto-friendly veggies, you can serve your low-carb slaw with virtually any low carb dish you’d like.
I find it pairs best with spicy and/or savory meat dishes since the coleslaw adds a layer of crunch, freshness, and subtle sweetness that these meals tend to lack.
Looking for some keto inspiration? Check out some of our favorite keto-friendly recipes that pair wonderfully with low-carb coleslaw:
- Inside Out Bacon Burger
- Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Popper Casserole
- Ketofied Chick-Fil-A-style Chicken
- Low Carb Corndogs
Yields 2 total servings of Low Carb Coleslaw
The Preparation
- 8 ounce coleslaw mix, shredded
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 10 drop liquid stevia
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- salt and pepper, to taste
The Execution
1. Gather and prep all ingredients. If you have a coleslaw mix with a lot of carrots, you can pick some of the carrots out of it.
2. In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, stevia, celery seed, and salt and pepper. I recommend using more black pepper than you might usually use.
3. Mix together the ingredients until combined well.
4. In a larger bowl, add the coleslaw mix. Then, pour the mayonnaise mixture over the coleslaw.
5. Toss the coleslaw and mayonnaise mixture together well. If possible, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours to let the flavors develop. Overnight is best if you have the extra time to prep.
6. Stir again before serving to help re-distribute the sauce. Serve cold.
Makes 2 total servings of Low Carb Coleslaw. Each serving comes out to be 226 calories, 20.8g fats, 4.5g net carbs, and 1.1g protein.
| NUTRITION | CALORIES | FAT | CARBS | FIBER | NET CARBS | PROTEIN |
| 8 ounce coleslaw mix | 62 | 0 | 12.5 | 5 | 7 | 1 |
| 1/4 cup mayonnaise | 374 | 41 | 0.3 | 0 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar | 3.1 | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | 0 |
| 1 tablespoon lemon juice | 2.6 | 0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 |
| 10 drop liquid stevia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 teaspoon celery seed | 8.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| salt and pepper, to taste | 1.6 | 0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Totals | 451.5 | 41.5 | 15 | 5.6 | 8.9 | 2.1 |
| Per Serving ( /2 ) | 225.8 | 20.8 | 7.5 | 2.8 | 4.5 | 1.1 |
The Preparation
- 8 ounce coleslaw mix, shredded
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 10 drop liquid stevia
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- salt and pepper, to taste
The Execution
- Gather and prep all ingredients. If you have a coleslaw mix with a lot of carrots, you can pick some of the carrots out of it.
- In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, stevia, celery seed, and salt and pepper. I recommend using more black pepper than you might usually use.
- Mix together the ingredients until combined well.
- In a larger bowl, add the coleslaw mix. Then, pour the mayonnaise mixture over the coleslaw.
- Toss the coleslaw and mayonnaise mixture together well. If possible, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours to let the flavors develop. Overnight is best if you have the extra time to prep.
- Stir again before serving to help re-distribute the sauce. Serve cold.
Notes
Makes 2 total servings of Low Carb Coleslaw. Each serving comes out to be 226 calories, 20.8g fats, 4.5g net carbs, and 1.1g protein.
