Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Anne-Marie

This healthy celery root coleslaw recipe is not your father's BBQ coleslaw recipe. It's easy to make, vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.

Why this recipe works

Now that cookout season is upon us, it’s time to make up a quick and healthy batch of Celery Root Coleslaw.

I know most people have never made a root vegetable coleslaw. But why not try it? It’s a nice change from the usual cabbage coleslaw everyone brings to parties. And so much better for you.

Plus, it’s vegan, allergen free (except for soy) and healthier than the coleslaw you get at the store.

Celery root salad recipe inspiration

I originally came across a celery root recipe in Diabetes Forecast, a magazine put out the American Diabetes Association.

It was a recipe for Celery Root Salad by my friend, Robyn Webb.

I loved the ingredients and found the photograph so inspiring. However, going over the recipe, I found a few things I needed to change. First, I couldn’t eat it due to my food sensitivity to sour cream.

Second, a lot of people don’t like the taste of fennel/anise, so I’d have to disguise it or play it down somehow. (Fennel has a black licorice taste, which I love but many people hate.

Since, I wanted more of a “bite” to the celery root salad recipe sauce and felt adding some rice vinegar and ground chipotle chile pepper instead of cayenne would do the trick.

Then, I wanted to add more carrot for sweetness and color.

Making a celery root slaw recipe allergy free

In addition to all my recipe changes, I wanted to make this celery root slaw recipe as allergen friendly as possible – gluten free, egg free, dairy free, and so on.

Obviously, celery root and carrots are fine, but it was the celery root salad recipe sauce that was the challenge.

To do this I used a vegan mayonnaise and a vegan tofu sour cream. In addition, I used gluten free rice vinegar.

Celery Root Coleslaw is naturally nut free, of course. However, this vegetarian and vegan slaw salad is not soy free. That was one allergen I couldn't avoid.

Tips for making the best Celery Root Coleslaw

Celery root is rather tough to grate – too tough for a box grater.

I recommend using a food processor to shred it. Using a good food processor for the fennel and carrots will make things much quicker and easier, too.

While Celery Root Coleslaw is a great on it’s own, I like serving it up in a brown rice tortilla wrap. But the best way to enjoy it is with grilled fish tacos with some avocados and salsa – delicious!

Looking for more side dishes?

If you’re searching for another side dish try this Gluten Free Tabbouleh Recipe.

If you love coleslaw, try zesty Wasabi Coleslaw or a more traditional Easy Coleslaw Recipe.

This Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables is vegetarian.

This Seafood Pasta Salad is made with tiny canned shrimp.

Originally published on September 12, 2013. Updated with new pictures and information.