Crunchy Mediterranean Coleslaw (No-Mayo Cabbage Salad)

Fresh, colorful, and ultra-crunchy—this Mediterranean-style coleslaw is tossed in a bright lemon-olive oil dressing with herbs and optional feta. It’s light, healthy, and perfect as a side, mezze plate, or meal-prep salad.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Vegetables

3 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
1½ cups red cabbage, finely shredded
1 large carrot, julienned or grated
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
½ cup cucumber, seeds removed & julienned
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint or dill, chopped (optional but very Mediterranean)

Optional Add-Ins

⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup Kalamata olives, thinly sliced
2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds or pine nuts

Lemon Olive Oil Dressing

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, grated
½ tsp dried oregano
¾ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for balance)

Instructions

Prep the Veggies
Add green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, onion, and cucumber to a large mixing bowl.
Make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, zest, Dijon, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and honey (if using).
Toss & Rest
Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss well until evenly coated.
Let sit for 10–15 minutes to slightly soften the cabbage while keeping it crunchy.
Finish & Serve
Fold in parsley, mint/dill, and optional feta or olives just before serving.

Nutrition (Approx. per serving, without feta)

Calories: ~120
Fat: 9g
Carbs: 8g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 2g
Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan (without feta)

Serving Ideas

As a side for grilled chicken, fish, or kebabs
Inside pita or wraps with hummus
As a topping for grain bowls or falafel
Great for picnics & potlucks (no mayo = no worry)

Storage & Meal Prep

Keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days
Crunch stays best if feta is added just before serving
Flavor improves after a few hours of chilling

Q & A

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Make it up to 24 hours ahead. Keep herbs and feta separate for best texture.

Q: How do I keep cabbage extra crunchy?
Salt lightly and don’t overdress. Toss again right before serving.

Q: Can I add protein?
Absolutely—grilled chicken, chickpeas, lentils, or tuna work great.

Q: Is this good for weight loss?
Yes. It’s low-calorie, high-fiber, and very filling.

Q: What can I use instead of lemon?
Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are great substitutes.

Q: Can I make it spicy?
Add red chili flakes or a pinch of Aleppo pepper to the dressing.

Author
Recent Posts

Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.