This slaw is taken from Wholesome Yum, a widely followed keto and low-carb recipe site run by cookbook author Maya Krampf — see the Keto Coleslaw (5-Ingredient Low Carb Recipe) on wholesomeyum.com. It’s a mayo-based dressing built around a keto-friendly sweetener rather than the sugar most bottled and deli coleslaws are made with.
The appeal here is how few ingredients it takes: shredded cabbage and carrot, a creamy dressing, and a short rest in the fridge so the cabbage softens slightly and takes on the dressing’s tang. It’s the kind of cold, crunchy side that sits well next to anything coming off the grill.
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix (primarily cabbage, with a small amount of carrot)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or more, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
Method
- Place the shredded coleslaw mix into a large bowl and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, powdered sweetener, and celery seed. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir the dressing into the shredded coleslaw mix and toss to coat evenly.
- If you have time, refrigerate the coleslaw for at least an hour, or overnight, to let the flavors develop. Stir again before serving, and serve chilled.
Why It Stays Sugar-Free
The sweetness in this dressing comes entirely from a powdered monk fruit and allulose blend rather than granulated sugar. Wholesome Yum’s own comparison in the recipe notes that a typical store-bought coleslaw runs about 12-13 g of sugar and net carbs per half-cup serving, while this version comes in under 2 g net carbs in a larger 3/4-cup serving — a gap that comes specifically from swapping out the sugar in both the dressing and, often, the coleslaw mix itself. The source specifically recommends the powdered form of the sweetener rather than a granular one, since granular sweeteners — particularly ones based on erythritol — tend not to dissolve fully in a cold dressing and can leave a gritty texture; powdered allulose or a sugar-free honey are given as acceptable substitutes, in a larger amount.
What the Recipe Publishes on Carbs
Wholesome Yum’s nutrition figures for this recipe list 77.5 calories and 1.8 g net carbs per serving, with 3 g total carbohydrate and 1.2 g fiber, alongside 7.1 g fat. Those are the source’s own published numbers for the recipe as written above; nothing here has been recalculated independently.
Serving Notes
Because the dressing is mayo-based rather than vinegar-only, this slaw holds its creamy texture well once chilled, which makes the make-ahead rest genuinely useful rather than just a suggestion — the cabbage softens and the flavors round out without the dressing separating. It works as a side for anything smoky or rich coming off the grill, where the cold crunch and tang cut through the fat the same way a traditional sugar-sweetened coleslaw would. The recipe card is written for 6 servings, and the source suggests giving the slaw a quick stir right before serving, since the dressing can settle at the bottom of the bowl while it sits in the fridge.
Storage
Wholesome Yum says this coleslaw keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days once the cabbage and dressing are mixed together. If you’d rather keep the crunch at its best, the source recommends storing the shredded cabbage and dressing separately, which it says extends the shelf life to a week or more. Freezing isn’t recommended, since the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh cabbage don’t hold their texture well once thawed.
A Note on This Being a Recipe Style, Not a Health Claim
This article is about a lower-carbohydrate way to make coleslaw without added sugar, nothing more — it isn’t medical or nutrition advice, and individual dietary needs vary, so check with a qualified professional before changing how you eat.
Keep reading
- Sugar-Free Keto BBQ Sauce: Wholesome Yum’s Recipe
- Grilled Keto Cauliflower Steaks: Wholesome Yum’s Recipe
- Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Wraps: Diet Doctor’s Recipe
- Meathead’s Creamy Southern Coleslaw, Kept Cold Safely