Try my easy Healthy Coleslaw recipe with Greek yogurt and store-bought coleslaw for added convenience. It’s tangy, creamy and is perfect picnics, BBQs and potlucks.
Reader’s Review
This was fantastic! I am trying to lower my cholesterol so mayo is a no-no. I didn’t have high hopes since my regular coleslaw dressing is amazing (although now off-limits). It was sweet, tangy and tasty. Even my husband loved it. We will definitely be making this again!
SusieQ
Healthy coleslaw made with store bought slaw mix and healthy tangy dressing. Creamy, just a touch of mayo, simple, quick and delicious salad or easy side dish!
And if you slow cook a pot of healthy pulled pork or crockpot pulled BBQ chicken, then top with this creamy coleslaw and serve on a fresh bun, everyone will love you even more. Trust me!
This healthy coleslaw recipe makes 6 servings as a side salad and about 12 pulled pork sandwiches.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: It takes 10 minutes to make this healthy coleslaw thanks to store-bought coleslaw mix.
- Lighter: The dressing gives coleslaw a bad rep. That is why we use mostly Greek yogurt with just a few tablespoons of mayo.
- Still flavorful: Despite replacing most of the mayonnaise with yogurt, the salad dressing is very creamy with a bit of a tang.
- Not soggy: This healthy coleslaw is crispy, fresh and crunchy summer salad.
Ingredients for Healthy Coleslaw
- Bagged slaw or shredded cabbage: For convenience, use 1 pound bag of store-bought slaw. You can also shred or slice thinly, so it has some texture and crunch, any fresh cabbage. Aim for about 6 cups of green cabbage or red cabbage.
- Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt with fat content of 2% or regular yogurt with 3.5% fat yields the most creamy dressing.
- Mayo: Any mayo will work and is a must for the classic taste. I like to use avocado oil mayonnaise in all of my cooking.
- Dill or parsley: Fresh herbs take any dish to the next level. Cilantro would pair very nicely with creamy coleslaw too!
- Salt and pepper: To season.
How to Make Healthy Coleslaw
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, add Greek yogurt, mayo, salt and pepper. Whisk into the dressing.
- Add veggies: Add coleslaw mix and fresh dill.
- Stir: Gently toss until combined, about 3-4 minutes. Usually tongs work the best!
- Chill: Refrigerate coleslaw salad for 5-30 minutes to allow flavors “to mingle”. Then toss again and serve.
Tips for Best Results
- Don’t use non-fat yogurt: I tried using 0% yogurt and dressing was flat and chalky.
- If you want it mayo free: You can omit mayonnaise and see if you like it.
- For a large crowd: Buy bigger bag of cabbage and double the amount of coleslaw dressing.
- For more vegetables: Add strips of colorful red bell pepper, peas, or even chopped celery.
- Vegan: You could use a dairy-free yogurt and vegan mayo but taste will change. And unless you can find a Greek non dairy yogurt dressing will be thinner in consistency.
Serving Ideas
Coleslaw is so versatile!
- With burgers like turkey burgers, spinach feta turkey burgers or grilled chicken burgers.
- It goes well with shrimp tacos or fish tacos.
- Serve at your next BBQ or cookout with Instant Pot ribs.
- For quick weeknight dinner, pair with turkey sloppy joes.
- For a more elegant dinner, pair creamy slaw with healthy crab cakes or yogurt marinated chicken on a warm summer night.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store: Store leftovers in airtight container in teh fridge for up to 2 days. Give it a stir before serving.
Make ahead: Add all ingredients to a bowl and do not stir. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Combine when ready to serve.
More Coleslaw Recipes to Try
- Vinegar coleslaw
- Ukrainian dill coleslaw
- My favorite coleslaw
- Savoy cabbage salad
- Peanut slaw
- Mango slaw
- Asian chopped salad
Healthy Coleslaw
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, 2% fat and higher
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound bag coleslaw, 6 cups
- 1/4 cup dill or parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add Greek yogurt, mayo, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Add coleslaw and dill. Gently toss until combined.
- Refrigerate for 5-30 minutes to allow flavors "to mingle".
- Serve cold as a salad or I highly recommend to make my healthy pulled pork and top with this slaw.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Make ahead: Add all ingredients to a bowl and do not stir. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Combine when ready to serve.
- Old recipe: I updated recipe in Dec 2020. If you like old no mayo coleslaw recipe, use for dressing: 3/4 cup whole plain yogurt, 2 tsp vinegar, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp maple syrup and 3/4 tsp salt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am going to make your coleslaw dressing today for Memorial day tomorrow. Sound perfect, as I don’t use mayo anymore.
That’s great. Hope you like it Nancy!
so nice to have creamy without a lot of heavy mayo .. thank you
I went directly to the recipe and didn’t see your prior warning about the yogourt. I only had 2% and 0% Greek Total yogourt (from USA) and while I liked the taste, I disliked the texture very much.
When you write using 0 or 2% yogourt won’t work, is it the texture that doesn’t work? If not, what doesn’t work?
Thank you!
0% yogurt lacks flavor, creaminess and tastes chalky. That’s what you didn’t like, I think. Next time if you use 2% and still don’t like taste, add a few tbsp mayo and it should be good. 🙂
Thank you!
WOW! I am a Southern-fried foodie that makes traditional coleslaw with my full-fat mayonnaise {don’t tell my cardiologist}.
I tried this recipe using whole-milk Bulgarian yogurt…and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!
Although I will not give up my mayonnaise…this recipe will now always be In my bag of tricks!
Wonderful flavor and consistency. I added shredded carrots.
Much respect!
Jeff in Houston
Hi Jeff! Your review made my day!
Oleana, I’ll let you know how it goes tonight when this will be served along w/ the Nat’.l Football Game w/ Louisiana State Univ. & Clemson Univ. : )
Well, good luck to your favorite team and let me know how it all goes – the game and the recipe. 🙂
Thank you for this healthy recipe. It’s tangy, sweet, and salty…perfect for cole slaw, sandwiches, potato salad.
Yes, exactly! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Simple & Tasty…
So delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
I made this recipe, since my husband and I are trying to eat as ‘healthful’ as possible. It really was a wonderful change from past coleslaw I’ve made. The only thing I added was chopped gala apple, to add a little crunch to it. Wonderful!
That is so amazing to hear! Glad you enjoyed my recipe!
I appreciate the convenience of bagged coleslaw. Thank you for making eating healthy so easy for my family.