Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw

Keto Low-Carb Coleslaw (Paleo, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free) is the best healthy, low-calorie recipe to pair with your BBQ and summer salad. This crack slaw recipe includes homemade dressing with mayo. You can go with no mayo if you prefer a vinegar based slaw. Green and red cabbage are low in carbs making this the perfect side dish! Ditch the KFC version and make your own at home!

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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.

Coleslaw is super popular during the spring and summer months, but I can probably eat it all year long! The store-bought and restaurant versions are usually loaded with sugar. They are also sprinkled with carrots, which have carbs. A small number of carrots may not knock you out of ketosis, but I still chose to admit them.

You can purchase angel hair coleslaw (which is shredded cabbage without the carrots) at any grocery store. I purchased it along with red cabbage to make this dish. You can choose to use the version with carrots if you wish. Adjust the macros as necessary.

How to Make Keto Coleslaw

1. Gather your ingredients. You will need coleslaw mix (which is shredded cabbage), apple cider vinegar, zero-calorie sweetener, mayo, celery salt, and onion.
2. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Cover and chill for at least one hour.

How Many Carbs

My recipe for keto coleslaw has 2 net carbs per serving.

What is More Keto Friendly, Mayo Coleslaw or Vinegar Coleslaw?

Both mayo coleslaw and vinegar coleslaw are both equally keto friendly because full-fat mayo and vinegar have zero carbs.

I use both mayo and vinegar in this recipe. The mayo helps add fat to the dish, which is necessary for flavor and the creamy texture. The apple cider vinegar helps add acidity which aids in flavor.

What to Pair with the Dish

Keto Pulled Pork
Homemade BBQ Sauce or Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Keto Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
Keto Chicken Salad
Homemade Keto Ranch Salad Dressing

Sprinkle in blue cheese when you add the mayo and seasonings. This is a great way to add zest to standard coleslaw.

Is Mayo Good or Bad For Keto?

Mayo is great for a keto low carb diet, because it is rich in fat, which works great for keto macros. It’s also carb free if you stay away from the fat-free brands. You can also snag mayo made with avocado oil for a healthy fat option. I like the Avocado Oil Mayo from Thrive Market.

Calories in Standard Coleslaw

Typical homemade coleslaw has about 200 calories and 14 grams of net carbs. This can vary widely depending on how much sugar is used in the recipe. I’ve seen recipes that call for 1-2 cups of refined sugar. That’s definitely a carbs overload!

Can You Make it Ahead? How Long Will it Last in the Fridge

Although you can safely make coleslaw three to four days ahead of serving it, you may not be happy with the quality. Coleslaw should be made ahead and refrigerated to meld the flavors, but if you make it more than 24 hours ahead, it becomes watery and limp.

Recipe Tips

The key to the perfect coleslaw is to taste repeatedly as necessary.

• Decide how you prefer your coleslaw. Some prefer a really creamy coleslaw. If you like the KFC coleslaw, you may prefer yours to be really creamy. If so, add additional mayo as needed.
• If you prefer yours to be somewhat dry, start with 1/4 cup of mayo and adjust as needed.
• If you like sweet coleslaw, adjust and add more sweetener.
• If you prefer a very vinegar based slaw, add more vinegar and start with a teaspoon of sweetener and adjust as necessary.