Vegan Coleslaw Recipe with Apple, Carrots, and Corn

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This easy vegan coleslaw recipe is a delicious carrot apple slaw with no mayo. It stands out from the traditional coleslaw with fresh ingredients. A quick dressing, with only three-ingredients, adds sweet and salty flavor for a mayo-free coleslaw everyone will love.

completed vegan slaw on a white plate against a light background

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Why You’ll Love this Vegan Coleslaw Recipe with Apples, Carrots, and Corn!
Ingredients for No Mayo Coleslaw Recipe
How To Make Vegan Coleslaw with Apples
Toni’s Recipe Tips for Vegan Coleslaw Recipe
FAQs for No Mayo Coleslaw Recipe
Serving Suggestions
Storage Instructions
More Delicious Slaw Recipes!
Vegan Coleslaw Recipe with Apple, Carrots and Corn

Why You’ll Love this Vegan Coleslaw Recipe with Apples, Carrots, and Corn!

Coleslaw is the perfect summertime side dish for outdoor BBQs, picnics, or even a quick weeknight dinner. Serve it up with your favorite grilled tofu recipe or veggie burger. I love it paired with a vegan bbq pork sandwich!

This no mayo coleslaw recipe relies on mostly fresh ingredients, with a few less-processed pantry staples for addicting flavor. This egg-free and mayo-free apple slaw is a healthier option, especially for those with dietary restrictions. I love how easy it is to make a big batch of this when I have company coming over. It comes together quickly and is great to make ahead!

Want more summer salad inspiration? Check out my vegan potato salad, fresh broccoli slaw, and pasta salad recipe.

Ingredients for No Mayo Coleslaw Recipe

This mayo-free coleslaw recipe requires simple ingredients that you can easily pick up at most grocery stores.

ingredients for slaw measured out and veggies cut on a white surface

Oil: Use a healthy salad oil such as extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil.
Sweet onion: Such as Walla Walla or Vidalia.
Purple or green cabbage: Personally I like a blend of the two for more color. But if you can only get one that works too.
Carrots: For color and crunch!
Apples: Granny smith are my favorites to use for salads.
Corn: Canned corn is an easy pantry staple that makes this recipe simpler. But you can also use frozen or even fresh in the summertime.
Brown sugar: A bit of sweetness to balance the salty soy sauce. You can also swap it with maple syrup or agave.
Soy sauce: Delicious umami flavor gives this vegan coleslaw so much flavor.

How To Make Vegan Coleslaw with Apples

Step 1: First, in a small pan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Then, saute onion until caramelized, about 4 to 5 minutes.

process of adding veggies for slaw into white bowl

Step 2: Next, in a large bowl, toss together cabbage, carrots, apple, and corn.

process of adding sugar to soy sauce in clear bowl

process of adding soy sauce and sugar mixture into bowl of veggies

Step 3: Next, dissolve sugar in soy sauce. Finally, toss into veggies along with the onion.

Toni’s Recipe Tips for Vegan Coleslaw Recipe

Save time. In a hurry? Use pre-shredded cabbage and/or carrots, bought in a bag at the grocery store.
Making ahead of time? Soak the apples in a bit of lemon juice after cutting them to keep them from turning brown.
Let it sit. Coleslaw tastes even better after it sits for thirty minutes to an hour. This time allows the cabbage to soften slightly while still retaining some of its natural crunchiness.

FAQs for No Mayo Coleslaw Recipe

How do you make coleslaw vegan?

Traditional coleslaw is typically plant-based, except for the mayonnaise used to dress it. You can opt for an oil and vinegar-based dressing, like this recipe, or use a vegan mayo instead.

What other veggies work great in vegan slaw?

In this recipe, you could use broccoli or cauliflower slaw instead of the cabbage. If you’re looking to add in more veggies, I’d suggest some grated yellow beets, shredded fennel, cooked sweet potatoes or butternut squash, and thinly sliced green beans or asparagus.

completed vegan slaw on two white plates against a light background

Serving Suggestions

BBQ Favs: Serve at BBQs or picnics with grilled tofu steaks, BBQ tempeh, kabobs, or one of many delicious burger options.
BBQ Sandwich: Some BBQ traditions serve the coleslaw inside the BBQ sandwich instead of on the side. Try that with my BBQ jackfruit sandwich or BBQ tempeh sandwich.
Dinner Mains: Serve alongside baked mac and cheese, lentil sloppy joes, sandwiches, or lentil loaf for everyday family dinners.
Other Sides: Serve with other crowd-pleasing sides, like strawberry kale salad, Greek cucumber salad, mixed bean salad, spinach pasta salad, asparagus potato salad, or baked beans.
Leftover Coleslaw: Put any leftovers to good use by repurposing it to top tacos or sandwiches! When you have a crunchy cabbage mixture to top your sandwich, you don’t need lettuce, tomato, or onion. Once the veggies have really softened, you can serve them on top of tortilla chips. Just make sure to drain the excess liquid first.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store leftover no mayo coleslaw in the fridge using an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the longer it stays in the fridge, the softer and less crunchy the veggies become. When making ahead, you can store the veggies and dressing separately for longer shelf life.

More Delicious Slaw Recipes!

Vegan Appetizers

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples

Vegan Side Dishes

Crunchy Kale Slaw

Vegan Appetizers

Spicy Cole Slaw Dressing [Without Mayo]

Vegan Side Dishes

Fresh Broccoli Slaw

If you tried this Vegan Coleslaw with Apple, Carrots, and Corn recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

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