Creamy Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
Indulge in the perfect blend of crisp cabbage, carrots, and red onions with an irresistible creamy poppy seed dressing. This Creamy Coleslaw recipe is easy to make and bursting with flavor, it’s the ultimate side dish for any meal or BBQ gathering.
I’ve never really been a fan of coleslaw, except for the Colonel’s (KFC) but this recipe is a winner! Most of the time I just overlook the little cup of coleslaw that comes with the BBQ plate because it isn’t very good. That is until I made this Creamy Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing. Oh my word, it’s crunchy, sweet, tangy, and delicious!
The creamy coleslaw goes perfectly with any meal, but it is a perfect side for these Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches. My husband loves to put coleslaw on his BBQ sandwiches and he loved this coleslaw. Adding the coleslaw to the sandwich has to be a Southern thing but it’s very good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make
- Pairs well with most any food
- Great for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and more
- Coleslaw has a refreshing crunch from the vegetables
Creamy Coleslaw
The combination of creamy dressing, tangy vinegar, and a hint of sweetness in this creamy coleslaw creates a well-balanced flavor profile that’s both satisfying and addictive. You just can’t go wrong with this simple recipe.
Making the poppy seed dressing is easy with only six ingredients and uses a bagged coleslaw mix, which saves time.
The slaw is best served cold and after it’s been chilled for at least 2 hours but I tend to make it in the morning and then serve for dinner. The cole slaw holds it crunch for several days so it’s a great side dish to make a few days in advance and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I use a bottled poppy seed dressing to make coleslaw?
Yes, you can use a bottled poppy seed dressing to make cabbage coleslaw, but it only takes 5 minutes to make the homemade version. If you have the dressing already in the pantry and want to use it, I would start with about 2/3 cup of dressing and then add a little at a time until you get the right consistency.
What to serve with coleslaw?
You can serve any type of meat with coleslaw from pulled pork to buffalo turkey sandwiches. It pairs well with baked beans and if you’re having a BBQ, it will go great with the many other sides being served.
🥣Equipment
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- large mixing bowl
- small bowl
- wooden spoon
📃Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce bag of coleslaw mix
- 2 tablespoons diced red onion
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup white sugar PLUS 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds
Directions
Combine the coleslaw mix and diced red onion in a large mixing bowl.
To make the coleslaw dressing with poppy seeds, whisk together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, oil, sugar, vinegar, salt, and poppy seeds until well blended.
Pour the dressing mixture over the cabbage salad and toss well to coat.
Chill for at least 2 – 3 hours before enjoying. Give the salad a good mix before serving.
Tips, Tricks, and FAQs
- To make a Spicy Coleslaw, add diced jalapeños, or a few dashes of hot sauce, or red pepper flakes.
- Add a sweet and fruity twist by including fruits like apples, pineapples, raisins, or cranberries to the cabbage mix. This would go great with the poppy seed dressing.
- If you prefer a sweeter slaw, add a bit more sugar.
- Substitute the bagged cabbage mix with broccoli slaw mix. You can find that in the same area as the slaw mix.
- Add this salad to your taco Tuesday night by adding flavors commonly found in Mexican foods such as lime juice, cilantro, cumin, and chili powder.
- Adding a bit of Dijon mustard to the dressing is also a great option.
Other Side Salads to try
- Lighter Broccoli Salad
- Creamy Macaroni Coleslaw Salad
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Creamy BLT Pasta Salad
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Creamy Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
Equipment
- small bowl
- wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 bag (16 ounces) coleslaw mix
- 2 tablespoons diced red onion
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup white sugar plus 2 tablespoons depends on your tastes
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl,combine the coleslaw mix and diced red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonaisse, oil, sugar, vinegar, salt, and poppy seeds until well blended.
- Pour dressing mixture over coleslaw mix and toss well to coat.
- Cover and Chill for at least 2 – 3 hours before enjoying. Mix before serving. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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Enjoy!
We use a similar recipe but I never thought to add poppy seeds. Yum.
Joanne, the poppy seeds give it a bit of a twist and we love it. Try it!!
I love how crisp and refreshing it looks. Such a classic and yours is beautiful.
My husband loves cole slaw! This one with poppy seeds is so good!
This cole slaw sounds delicious! Love the poppy seeds in the dressing.