Not in the mood for a traditional mayo based coleslaw? This red wine vinegar coleslaw is your answer. It's a non-mayo coleslaw that has the perfect easy vinegar dressing base that will tantalize your taste buds with it's tanginess, and will pair well with your favorite BBQ dishes. Plus it just takes 10 minutes to make and will last longer outside than a mayo based coleslaw will.

[This red wine vinegar coleslaw recipe was originally posted in April 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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Table of contents
How will this vinegar based coleslaw make your life easier?
This red wine vinegar coleslaw is the perfect accompaniment to anything grilled. So take it to a BBQ, summer party, or serve it with grilled meat. It's super easy, quick, cold, and crunchy. You can even whisk the dressing in a big bowl then add the veggies for less clean up. It's delicious on Pulled Pork Sandwiches, with Grilled Chicken Burgers, or with a Grilled Lamb Steak.
Want more recipes similar to this no-mayo, red wine vinegar coleslaw? My 5 Minute Asian Coleslaw, Cucumber & Tomato Salad, Broccoli Salad, and this Shaved Zucchini Salad with Corn & Feta.
What makes it so good?
- Granulated sugar
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic salt
- Green & Red Cabbage
- Carrots
How do I make this easy coleslaw?

Start by making the red wine vinegar dressing. Add 1 T sugar, 3 T red wine vinegar, 2 T olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper to large mixing bowl. Mix together with fork or tongs.

Add 2 c shredded cabbages and 2 carrots (shredded) to the bowl with dressing in it. Using tong, mix it all together well. Let the red wine vinegar coleslaw sit on the counter or refrigerate for at least 10 minutes prior to serving. This will let all the delicious flavors combine and flavor all the veggies with the dressing.

Expert Tips
- Mix dressing in separate bowl if planning on leftovers.
- Buy pre-shredded cabbage, shred it in a food processor, or use a mandolin to speed up the process.
- Add other veggies to this red wine vinegar coleslaw if you've got veggies that need to be eaten.
FAQ
Coleslaw has cabbage and other vegetables in it. Sometimes carrots, sometimes peppers, onions, and green onions. Coleslaws usually have a vinegar or mayonnaise based dressing. This red wine vinegar coleslaw has a vinegar based dressing-which is great if you plan on taking it to an outdoor party and it'll sit out in the sun.
Most fresh foods last 3-5 days. As un-scientific as it seems, I usually sniff food before eating it. If it smells normal, it should be safe to eat, if it doesn't, I toss it. Food usually smells bad before it's unsafe to eat.
You can freeze vinegar based coleslaws, like this red wine vinegar coleslaw, and my soy sauce based slaw. Mayonnaise based slaws don't freeze well because the mayo separates.

What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Cabbage: 5 Minute Soy Sauce Based Coleslaw, Korean Beef Bulgogi, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Veggie Tacos, Burrito Bowl with Queso, or add it to this Simple Sauteed Kale Salad.
- Carrots: Pan Fried Pork Chops with Apples, Sheet Pan Root Veggies, White Bean & Farro Bowl.
Did you make this red wine vinegar coleslaw? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Red Wine Vinegar Coleslaw
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Large mixing bowl
- tongs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 cups green & red cabbage shredded
- 2 carrots shredded
Instructions
- Add 1 T sugar, 3 T red wine vinegar, 2 T olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper to large mixing bowl. Mix together with fork or tongs.
- Add 2 c shredded cabbages and 2 carrots (shredded) to bowl. Mix well, let sit or refrigerate for at least 10 minutes prior to serving to allow flavors to combine.
Video
Notes
- Mix dressing in separate bowl if planning on leftovers.
- Buy pre-shredded cabbage, shred it in a food processor, or use a mandolin to speed up the process.
- Add other veggies to this slaw if you've got veggies that need to be eaten.
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Katie Uhran says
YUMMY! I love coleslaws that don't have tons of mayo...I find them so much more refreshing and nourishing! This is perfect for summer and picnics. Thanks for sharing!
Soniya says
This looks so colorful and vibrant!! Love that there is no mayo in this coleslaw! Perfect side dish for entertaining friend and family ☝️?
Abbey Sharp says
Honestly, I've always been a fan of coleslaws without mayo anyway, so I must give this recipe a try!
Veena Azmanov says
Yum!!! This looks so colorful and vibrant! Perfect side dish! This is really impressive! I think this recipe will be one of my favorites. I definitely want to try your recipe, and I'm sure it's very tasty. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Rebecca says
thanks so much! let me know how it turns out
Savita says
I'm all for a no mayo coleslaw, makes so perfect addition to parties to cover all kind of guests. Love the curnchy ingredients in this one.
Rebecca says
thanks! yes, so many delicious crunchy ingredients here
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I adore coleslaw that is not mayonnaise based, and this one looks so full of flavor! A great slaw for so many sandwiches and sides!
Rebecca says
thanks! it's bursting with flavor for sure
Sara says
I actually don't eat mayo so I'm excited to find a coleslaw recipe without it! Looks perfect for a picnic or BBQ!
Rebecca says
thanks! it's super refreshing
georgie says
yum! love the colour of this dish! and looks so simple and delicious!
Rebecca says
thanks! it's so simple
GiGi Eats says
PRAISE!!! NO MAYO SLAW!!! I am in love. I also LOVEEEEE rainbow recipes/dishes!! 🙂 I am all about colorful food!
Rebecca says
thanks girl
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
I live on simple cole slaw recipes like this all summer. Light and tasty!
Rebecca says
right?! totally
Elysia says
I love a good simple coleslaw recipe! I'm going to try this one out for dinner tonight. It will go perfectly with the pulled BBQ beef in the crockpot! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca says
it's sooo good with pulled pork! enjoy
Mikki says
We love coleslaw around here! I make it quite often, something like this, but I tend to forget to incorporate the carrots. I need to do that next time!
Rebecca says
yes! carrots are such an easy addition
Rachel says
I actually haven't had coleslaw in forever because I'm not a huge mayo person. I'll have to make this for BBQs this summer!
Rebecca says
ya! try it! hope you like it
Christina says
Fresh coleslaw is such a fun picnic side or easy way to spruce up roasted/cooked foods! Love how bright and refreshing your recipe is. Totally saving this one.
Rebecca says
isn't it?! thanks Christina
Farrah says
I think I just need to get cabbage and I'll be good to go for this recipe! It looks so good! 😀 I'm not the biggest fan of mayo, so this is perfect!
Rebecca says
awesome! LMK when you make it, I'm excited to hear what you think
Jack says
Love this slaw recipe, went amazing with my bbq
Rebecca says
woot woot!
Angela Allison says
Simple and delicious! I love how easy and flavorful this recipe is. Will never buy bagged coleslaw again.
Rebecca says
ya it's really easy!
Carrie Robinson says
I am loving this mayo free version! So pretty too! 🙂
Rebecca says
thanks
Suzy says
The family really aren't fans of may so this is perfect for them! Love it!
Rebecca says
that's great to hear! woot woot
Kathleen says
I love that this doesn't have mayo. It's perfect for picnics!
Rebecca says
totally! thanks