Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing is a crispy, fresh side dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping it crispy is to dress it right before serving. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Costco Style Chicken Bake and Easy Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders.
Why This Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy cabbage and carrots in every bite
- Creamy mustard dressing that's tangy and rich
- Ready in just 20 minutes for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout and perfect for meal prepping
What You'll Need for Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Onion
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sugar
- Optional: Chopped Parsley
- Optional: Crumbled Bacon
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cabbage: Use green cabbage for a crunchy texture.
- Onion: Red onion adds a slight kick, but you can use yellow onion if you prefer.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures thin, even slices for crispy cabbage and carrots. → See on Amazon
- Salad Spinner — Dries cabbage and carrots quickly for a crispy salad. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the cabbage and carrots using a mandoline slicer. Finely chop the onion.
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, and onion. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Add chopped parsley and crumbled bacon (if using) just before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
- : For a quick pickling effect, sprinkle the cabbage and carrots with a pinch of salt and let them sit for 10 minutes before rinsing and drying.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't dress the salad too far in advance, as the cabbage and carrots can release water and make the salad soggy. Dress it just before serving for the best texture.
- : To make this salad ahead, prepare the vegetables and dressing separately, then combine and dress just before serving.
- : For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
Storing & Reheating Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad will lose some of its crispiness over time. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the vegetables and dressing up to a day ahead. Combine and dress just before serving.
Freezing Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary for reheating. Microwave: Not recommended for reheating, as it can make the salad soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make this salad more filling, add some cooked chicken or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cabbage with thinly sliced Brussels sprouts or kale.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or apple cider vinegar to the dressing.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Mayonnaise — Using a good quality mayonnaise ensures a creamy, rich dressing that's the star of this salad. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Onion
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sugar
Optional Toppings
- Chopped Parsley
- Crumbled Bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the cabbage and carrots using a mandoline slicer. Finely chop the onion.
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, and onion. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Add chopped parsley and crumbled bacon (if using) just before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this salad more filling, add some cooked chicken or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the cabbage with thinly sliced Brussels sprouts or kale.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or apple cider vinegar to the dressing.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad will lose some of its crispiness over time.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary for reheating.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended for reheating, as it can make the salad soggy.
- Make ahead: Prepare the vegetables and dressing up to a day ahead. Combine and dress just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the vegetables and dressing separately up to a day ahead. Combine and dress just before serving to maintain the best texture.
Dressing the salad too far in advance can cause the cabbage and carrots to release water, making the salad soggy. Dress it just before serving for the best texture.
No, freezing is not recommended as it can make the salad watery and mushy.
This recipe is best made with fresh ingredients and does not require an air fryer.
You can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
