Keto Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

By
Ariane Resnick
headshot for ariane resnick
Ariane Resnick
Ariane Resnick is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author who takes great joy in shattering the image of what, and how, nutritionists eat.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/22/21
Keto Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing

The Spruce / Qi Ai

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 8 cups

While a typical mayonnaise-based coleslaw doesn't require much modification to be keto-friendly, the vinegar-based version usually involves a good bit of sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Because of this, the otherwise keto dish that notoriously accompanies barbeques, sandwiches, and tacos needs a little tweaking to enjoy on a keto diet. Additionally, carrots are a familiar addition to most slaws, but they significantly raise the carb count, so we've exchanged them for thinly shaved Brussels sprouts.

Though we swapped out the sweetener and carrots, we kept everything you love about a coleslaw, from the tang to the crunch. This recipe is a healthful choice for anyone looking to increase their veggie consumption while lowering sugar intake. Best yet, the dressing ingredients are tossed directly into the vegetables, making it light on effort and cleanup,

Ingredients

  • 5 cups green cabbage, very thinly sliced

  • 2 cups red or purple cabbage, very thinly sliced

  • 1 cup Brussels sprouts, very thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

  • 3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as grapeseed or avocado

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons allulose syrup or sugar-free maple syrup

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Keto Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing ingredients

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  2. In a large bowl, combine cabbages and Brussels sprouts.

    combine cabbages and Brussels sprouts in a bowl

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  3. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, oil, syrup, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.

    whisk together vinegar, mustard, oil, syrup, salt, and pepper in a bowl

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

  4. Pour dressing over veggies, then use a pair of large tongs or salad forks to toss well so that veggies are thoroughly coated in dressing. For best results, let sit for one hour in refrigerator before serving.

    Keto Coleslaw with Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing, dressing poured into the mixture in the bowl

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

Recipe Variations

Try one of the below variations to alter the flavor profile of this coleslaw:

  • Swap some of the cabbage for radicchio for a more earthy taste.
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles and 1 tablespoon fresh dill to make a coleslaw that pairs extra well with hot dogs or sausages.
  • Add 1 minced jalapeno to make this coleslaw into a spicier taco topping.
  • Swap the green cabbage for Napa cabbage, 1 tablespoon of neutral oil for toasted sesame oil, and the cider vinegar for rice vinegar, to pair with Korean BBQ style meats.
  • For a coleslaw that can cut through a big burger or deli sandwich, add 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion and 2 tablespoons chopped scallions.
  • If you like to keep leftover coleslaw for days, exchange the green cabbage for thinly sliced broccoli stems. They're so firm that it will take them a long time to soften.
  • Exchange the red cabbage for thinly sliced fennel, and add 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, for a more complex flavor.
  • Swap 1 tablespoon of the whole grain mustard for Dijon to give the coleslaw a strong mustard taste.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
86 Calories
5g Fat
10g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 86
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 136mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 61mg 307%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 331mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)