Healthy Mediterranean Slaw (No Mayo)

Made without mayo, this creamy Mediterranean coleslaw recipe is a healthier choice, but it doesn't skip on flavor!

Creamy Mediterranean slaw in a bowl and garnished with fresh parsley.

Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Betty Davies

Creamy and full of fresh, light and bright flavors, this Mediterranean inspired coleslaw is made with Greek yogurt for a healthier option. Bagged slaw mix is livened up with sun-dried-tomatoes, black olives and feta, and everything is tossed together in a tangy seasoned dressing. Easy to make and so delicious to eat!

Mediterranean coleslaw served in a bowl with two serving spoons.

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I love a creamy coleslaw, but know that it isn’t always the healthiest option, but this Mediterranean slaw is a great lower fat choice that is still full of flavor. Made without mayonnaise, this slaw gets it’s creaminess from Greek yogurt.

This is a great (and very simple!) way to elevate your bagged slaw mix. With sun-dried tomatoes, black olives and feta, it has some amazing punchy flavors, and it’s all tied together with a tangy yogurt dressing.

Ready to serve in minutes, this slaw comes together so quickly and easily, and is a perfect accompaniment to so many dishes. You’ll fall in love with the light and fresh flavors.

Be sure to try my Easy Beet Slaw and Creamy Broccolini Slaw too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Quick: This recipe takes no more than 15 minutes to make. It’s great for a weeknight dinner side dish salad, or take it along to picnics, pot lucks and BBQs.
Healthier: Lower in fat and calories compared to a traditional mayonnaise dressed slaw, this is a delicious way to get your veggies in!
Dietary info: This Mediterranean coleslaw recipe is gluten-free, low carb and vegetarian.

Mediterranean style slaw with creamy dressing in a serving bowl.

Ingredients

Slaw mix: To make this recipe super quick and convenient, I used a bagged coleslaw mix.
Sun-dried-Tomatoes: These add a slight acidity that punch through the creamy dressing. Dice them small so that you get some in every bite.
Black Olives: Use Sliced black olives. Drain them from the liquid in the can or jar and add the straight to the salad.
Feta Cheese: This Greek cheese is briny and creamy and works wonderfully in this recipe. Dice or crumble into the slaw.

For the slaw dressing

Greek yogurt: Use a 0% fat Greek yogurt for the healthiest option.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a great freshness and zing. Use fresh if you can.
Red Wine Vinegar: This punchy vinegar adds a great flavor and balances out the creaminess of the yogurt.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For a rich and rounded flavor. The oil helps to thin the dressing and makes it easier to coat the slaw. se a light olive oil if you find EVOO too strong in flavor.
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, dried oregano and garlic powder.

How to make Mediterranean Slaw

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Add the sun-dried tomatoes, olives and feta to the slaw mix (photo 1).
Mix together the ingredients for the dressing (photo 2).
Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss together (photo 3).

Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

This Mediterranean slaw recipe makes the most of a store bought slaw mix. If you prefer, you can make the slaw from scratch by shredding white cabbage and carrots. If you don’t have feta cheese, a firm goat cheese will work well. Instead of Greek yogurt, you can use mayonnaise, or even sour cream, for the dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other vegetables can you add to coleslaw?

If you want to add more vegetable goodness, then crunchy vegetables work best in slaw. Thinly sliced bell peppers work great, celery has a great texture and raw green onions or red onions add a nice tang. Diced apple adds a nice sweetness.

Can you make this recipe vegan?

Because the slaw dressing is made with Greek yogurt, it is not vegan or dairy-free. To make it vegan, use a plant based Greek yogurt and skip the feta cheese in the salad.

Why is Greek yogurt a healthier choice?

Use a Greek yogurt that is fat-free to cut down on calories and fats that regular coleslaw contains. Greek yogurt also contains protein, calcium and vitamin B12.

Greek style coleslaw served in a large bowl.

Serving Suggestions

This Mediterranean slaw is a great side dish for cookouts and picnics in the warmer weather, but also makes for a tasty side for any night of the week. It especially works great with seafood and chicken dishes. Try it with some of these favorites:

Make Ahead and Storage

Once made, the slaw will keep well for around 3 days, covered in the fridge. I always like to make it a little ahead of time to let the flavors develop.

Recipe Notes and Tips

If you are making your own slaw mix, slice the cabbage as evenly and as finely as you can so that it mixes together well with the other ingredients.
Because it contains dairy, it’s best not to leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

The fresh and vibrant flavors in this Mediterranean coleslaw recipe make it the perfect accompaniment to so many main dishes. Healthier than a traditional creamy slaw, but just as tasty, it’s ready to enjoy in minutes!

More Coleslaw Recipes

If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!