Matthew McConaughey’s Favorite Meal Is a Cheap, Tasty, and Easy Vegan Twist on a Popular Southern Salad

Texas-born actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves have enjoyed a storybook romance since they met in 2006. At their Austin, TX home, the couple shares three children, many laughs, and delicious food, all with a Southern flair. 

Alves, a Brazilian model and entrepreneur, makes a variety of tried-and-true recipes for the family, which includes McConaughey’s mother Kay “Ma Mac,” who is in her 90s.

Pantalones

Which recipe is the most popular? Alves revealed to Southern Living in 2024 that it’s actually a vegan take on a classic side salad the family asks for most. “The most requested recipe in the house for me to make—by Ma Mac and Matthew—would be the no-mayo coleslaw,” she said.

Matthew McConaughey’s favorite coleslaw

In a video recipe Alves shared with her online community, known as Women of Today, McConaughey raved about the no-mayo slaw. “It’s one of those things that I love so much and you haven’t done it for weeks, and I actually forgot about it,” he says. “And now that you made it again, I don’t know how I forgot about it because I don’t know anything it doesn’t go with.”

“I miss it now,” McConaughey says about the salad. “And please don’t let me forget about it for so long again.”  

Coleslaw is a classic Southern salad made with plenty of mayonnaise, which is not usually vegan as it typically contains eggs. As its name suggests, Alves’ no-mayo coleslaw does not contain mayonnaise and instead features a zesty dressing made with plenty of lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar (both red and white wine), and fresh mint.

The main ingredient is cabbage, a budget-friendly, nutritious vegetable. To make the recipe even easier, buy pre-shredded cabbage for quicker assembly. Plus, you can sub in Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or other vegetables to mix it up for any day of the week. The trick to making this coleslaw great is a mandoline, a kitchen device that helps cut the whole cabbage into thin shreds, which helps to better absorb the dressing.

Women of Today | Camila Alves

The addition of apple and onion—both very thinly sliced—is also a trick to varying the flavor profile, adding astringency, tartness, and sweetness to the dish. Alves suggests mixing with your hands and adjusting the recipe to your own taste. Lastly, marinating this salad overnight allows all of the flavors to meld together, creating a dish that is on major rotation in the Alves-McConaughey household. Get the recipe for Alves’ coleslaw here.

More vegan coleslaw recipes to try

In the mood for slaw? For more plant-based inspiration, try these easy-to-make coleslaw recipes.

Allyson Kramer

1Shaved Asparagus Slaw

Fresh dill and scallions add depth to shredded red cabbage and shaved asparagus for a complex and delectable slaw.
GEt the recipe

Shivangi Rao

2 Indian Cabbage Slaw With Roasted Cashews

Koshimbir is the Indian equivalent of refreshing slaw but with a fiery twist that’s usually accompanied by savory summer meals.
get the recipe

Natalia KW

3 Kale Slaw With Barbecue Walnut Crumble

This kale slaw is a crisp, colorful side dish that’s packed with fiber, antioxidants, and a satisfying crunch. Paired with creamy homemade mayo and tasty barbecue walnut crumble, it’s a nutritious upgrade to traditional coleslaw.
Get the recipe

4 Crunchy Cauliflower Coleslaw Bowl

In this tasty summer recipe, crunchy cabbage-fennel slaw brings a bright, refreshing bite to balance the warmth of spiced cauliflower and creamy vegan ranch.
Get the recipe

Ashley Madden

5 Marinated Tofu Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw

If you’re in the mood for a hearty, flavor-packed sandwich, we recommend pairing sweet, tangy, vibrant pineapple slaw with smoky, marinated tofu.
Get the recipe

Chef Reina

6 Vegan Sisig Tacos With Papaya Carrot Ginger Slaw

A vibrant papaya-carrot-ginger slaw adds a crisp, refreshing contrast to the savory, sizzling tofu and mushrooms in these delicious Filipinx-inspired tacos.
Get the recipe

Shay Boyd

7 Smoky Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Coleslaw Sliders

Smoky, pulled barbecue jackfruit is without a doubt a tasty summer slider filling. Pair it with creamy, tangy coleslaw to balance the flavors beautifully.
Get the recipe

Liz Arraj

8 Crunchy Thai Slaw Wraps With Simple Peanut Sauce

This Thai-inspired slaw brings vibrant crunch and nutty richness to every bite, thanks to crisp cabbage, fresh herbs, and a creamy peanut dressing.
Get the recipe