A vinegar based coleslaw with caraway seeds and a tad of apple juice to sweeten things up, loads of carrots and a secret ingredient the Germans use; caraway seeds! It’s gonna become your favorite coleslaw, plus ultra healthy without all that mayo.
Vinegar coleslaw is the first salad I’ve ever loved and it’s so healthy, when no mayonnaise is used… As a child, back in Canada, I used to go to this popular roasting chicken place called St-Hubert. When ordering, they would always ask you;” coleslaw creamy or traditional?” I would always take the “traditional one” which is the one i tried to imitate in this recipe.

The German’s secret: caraway seeds
Then I’ve met my husband, a guy from Munich, Germany. Also, a place where they do spectacular coleslaws or “krautsalad“, as they call it. They make a few variations, for example, sometimes they add few caraway seeds, chives and/or bacon bits. I didn’t really knew caraway seeds until I’ve tasted this “krautsalad” from Bavaria. It’s delicious! It gives the salad a whole new dimension. Funny that such a small seed can make such a huge difference. Although, totally optional, I highly recommend to add some caraway seeds to your coleslaw. I guarantee… you’ll slay that party! Everyone will ask you for the secret ingredient.
A magical seed
Caraway seeds have been used for ages to help with digestive system issues! Apparently, it does magi for inflammation and some even say, helps to lose weight! I leave you this link in case you wanna know more about this unknown tasty seed. Oh and don’t get confused, the celery seeds and cumin seeds looks similar to the caraway ones.
There are plenty of variations around the world, some with bacon bits, parsley, even pineapple. Today the new coleslaw is gonna be “Bavarian-Canadian” style.
Let’s get that mandoline ready!

Coleslaw with caraway seeds
Ingredients
- 1/2 cabbage (cut into 2mm slices (mandoline))
- 2 carrots (shredded (cheese grater))
- 1 onion (cut into 2mm slices (mandoline))
- 250 ml apple cider vinegar
- 150 ml apple juice
- 50 ml sunflower oil (olive oil)
- 50 ml honey (or maple sirup)
- 2 tbsp caraway seeds
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut all the veggies with the mandoline, both fine slices and grinded cuts
- Mix in a bowl the vinegar, apple juice, oil, and honey
- Add to dressing to the salad
- Add the caraway seed, salt (be generous) and pepper
- Mix well
- Cover and leave in the fridge for a few hours (2 hours until 4 days), mix it mid time