If you can't imagine a summer cookout without a creamy coleslaw recipe but don't want all the traditional calories, our easy Skinny Coleslaw has your back. This healthy coleslaw recipe has all the classic flavors with far less calories, fat and sugar! Perfect for any summer picnic.

Cole slaw is a classic summer salad but often off limits when trying to keep calories slim. It can be loaded with fat and sugar....but it doesn't have to be!

We've taken all the traditional ingredients and flavors and slimmed them down into a great dish perfect for a side dish or to add on top of fish tacos, a pulled pork sandwich or even hot dogs.

The recipe makes a large salad perfect for potlucks or gatherings! The bright color WW PersonalPoints link in recipe card below.

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What makes this skinny?
Recipe Ingredients Notes
How to make Skinny Cole Slaw
Variations
How to Store
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Recipe

What makes this skinny?

The biggest calorie contributor in coleslaw ingredients is mayonnaise followed by sugar. You don't think about sugar in tangy coleslaw but that lightly sweet flavor in the dressing is often from a lot of sugar.

We swapped in light mayonnaise and nonfat plain Greek yogurt instead of full fat mayonnaise. The sugar amount is reduced to 1 tablespoons in this skinny version too.

The rest of the ingredients are low calorie seasonings and there is 9 cups of fresh vegetables in this easy skinny coleslaw too.

Deli-style coleslaws can have 170 calories per half cup with 12 grams of fat. Ours has 33 calories for per half cup and 1.5 grams of fat.

Recipe Ingredients Notes

Shredded purple cabbage (red cabbage) and shredded green cabbage. You'll need 4 cups of each type (8 cups total). You can shred your own cabbage using the grating disk on a food processor or a box grater. Or you can purchase it already shredded at the grocery store.

Shredded carrots. You'll need 1 cup of shredded carrots. Though you can buy these already shredded we recommend shredding them yourself. They tend to be hard and dry when purchased and shredded, as well as have a distinct flavor that isn't present in freshly shredded carrots.

Dressing Ingredients

Light mayonnaise. Choose a brand that has 35 calories per tablespoon. There are multiple brands that have that calorie value; some are more so check the nutrition label.

Non-fat plain Greek yogurt. This is thick, creamy and takes out calories from traditional full fat mayonnaise. We use and recommend Chobani brand which has a great flavor and texture.

Granulated sugar. You'll only need 1 tablespoon.

Apple cider vinegar. One and a half tablespoons cider vinegar gives a tangy flavors without being overly tangy.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice. Be sure to use freshly squeezed juice. This also adds some tang and fresh flavor.

Seasonings. Onion powder, dry mustard, celery salt, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper all make the classic flavors in coleslaw dreeing.

How to make Skinny Cole Slaw

Fill details in printable recipe card at the end of this post.

STEP 1. Make the dressing

In a small bowl combine the light mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sugar, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, onion powder, dry mustard, celery salt, kosher salt and black pepper.

Whisk to blend into a creamy coleslaw dressing.

STEP 2. Make the slaw

In a large mixing bowl combine the shredded cabbage and carrots. Toss to mix together.

Add the the dressing and toss to fully coat the coleslaw mix.

STEP 3. Chill

Cover and chill at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend. During this time the vegetables will soften and the slaw will become more creamy.

Variations

Add some green onion. If you like some onion flavor add ⅓-1/2 cup of sliced green onions to the easy coleslaw.

To take out some more calories: you can reduce the light mayonnaise amount and add more nonfat plain yogurt to make the ratio one-to-one. You'd use ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of EACH light mayonnaise and non-fat Greek yogurt.

We don't recommend using more yogurt than light mayo because the yogurt will soak into the cabbage instead of coating it.

Slaw mix shortcut. If you don't want to shred your own vegetables to save some prep time substitute a bag of coleslaw mix. You'll need a total of 9 cups so may need mre than one bag coleslaw mix (check the serving size label to ensure you have enough).

Try broccoli slaw. The cole slaw dressing can be used on different slaw types too. Try it on broccoli slaw (you can buy it packaged at the grocery store).

Add some apple. If you like more sweetness add some chopped or grated red apple.

For a nutty flavor add some slivered almonds.

How to Store

Store in an airtight container up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The slaw will continue to soften and not be as crunchy as it's stored.

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Skinny Classic Coleslaw recipe