Vintage Miracle Whip Coleslaw

Creamy vintage Miracle Whip coleslaw made with grapes, and nuts – a sweet and tangy summer side perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Imagine a warm summer afternoon with a bowl of this cool, retro-style coleslaw on your picnic table.

Shredded cabbage mingles with juicy red grapes and crunchy nuts, all coated in a creamy, tangy Miracle Whip dressing. The result is a sweet-and-savory salad that tastes like a trip back to Mom’s kitchen – perfect for family cookouts and potlucks. It’s the kind of comforting salad our grandparents might have served at a church picnic or backyard barbecue.

For a carefree gathering, whip this salad up ahead of time and chill it in the fridge. The flavors mellow and meld as it rests, making the cabbage crisp and cool. Serve this creamy salad cold, straight from the fridge – it’s perfect alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, or roasted meats. We love how the grapes add little bursts of juicy sweetness, so be generous when tossing them in – you might even swear you’re at a vintage 1950s summer luncheon.

Tips for the Best Coleslaw

• Chill before serving: This salad tastes best when cold. Letting it chill for at least an hour allows the flavours to meld and the cabbage to slightly soften without becoming soggy.
• Toss gently: When adding the grapes and nuts, fold them in carefully to avoid breaking up the fruit or turning the slaw mushy.
• Adjust sweetness: Taste the dressing before tossing with the cabbage. If you prefer a less sweet slaw, reduce the sugar slightly or add a splash of vinegar to balance the flavours.
• Serve fresh: While the slaw holds well for a day or two in the fridge, it’s best served the same day for maximum crunch and colour.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Coleslaw mix: A pre-shredded mix of cabbage and carrots saves time, but you can also shred your own green and red cabbage with a few carrots for extra colour and texture.
• Miracle Whip: This salad dressing gives the slaw its classic tangy-sweet flavour. If you prefer, you can substitute with mayonnaise and add 1–2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a pinch of sugar to mimic the flavour.
• Milk: Helps thin the dressing for better coating. You can use any dairy or non-dairy milk you have on hand.
• Sugar: Balances the tang of the Miracle Whip. Feel free to adjust to taste, or swap in honey or maple syrup for a natural alternative.
• Grapes: Red seedless grapes work best for colour and sweetness. Green grapes are fine too, but may be more tart.
• Nuts: Walnuts add a deep, earthy crunch, but pecans or even slivered almonds make lovely substitutions. Toasting the nuts beforehand adds extra flavour.

Looking for More Simple Salads?

Check out more of my favourite easy salad recipes!

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Vintage Miracle Whip Coleslaw

Yields: 6 Servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Chill Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (approx. 14 oz or 400g) pre-mixed coleslaw
• 1 cup Miracle Whip
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved

1. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Miracle Whip, milk, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth. This sweet-tangy dressing is the heart of the recipe.
2. Toss the slaw: Empty the bag of coleslaw mix into a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and carrots, then toss thoroughly so every strand is coated.
3. Add grapes and nuts: Gently fold in the halved grapes and chopped nuts. The grapes bring juicy sweetness and the nuts add crunchy texture, transforming simple slaw into something special.
4. Chill and serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour (up to overnight). Chilling lets the flavors mingle and keeps the salad nice and cold. Give it one more good stir before serving.