Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork

This classic coleslaw recipe has the best texture combination of crunchy slaw and a creamy coleslaw dressing. All you need is a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes to prepare.

Coleslaw Ingredients and Notes

Cabbage Mixture

This traditional coleslaw recipe is made from a mix of shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and a creamy coleslaw dressing.

fresh cabbage - green cabbage, and red and purple cabbage
carrots - finely shredded

Dressing Ingredients

mayonnaise - Adds a creamy texture to the dressing. May use less mayo or no mayo. Substitute a couple of tablespoons of a neutral flavored oil (like canola oil), olive or avocado oil instead.
granulated sugar - Adds sweetness. Use white sugar. May substitute brown sugar.
vinegar - Vinegar is used to balance flavor. It plays off the sugar in this recipe. Use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or white vinegar. May substitute fresh lemon juice.
Note: Learn more about balancing flavors in the Pro Tips section below.
horseradish sauce - Adds spicy flavor.
dijon mustard - Adds tangy flavor.
salt - Salt enhances the flavor of food. If your dish tastes bland, try adding more salt. Use kosher salt or sea salt.
ground black pepper - Adds spicy flavor.
celery seed - A small but important ingredient for that classic coleslaw flavor. May substitute celery salt, which is a combination of celery seed and salt. Pull back on the amount of kosher salt added if celery salt is used.

Equipment

large bowl - Used for whole recipe.
medium bowl - Used to make the dressing
whisk
food processor (optional) - Used for shredding cabbage and carrots.
airtight container - Used for storage.

Note: See Pro Tips section below for tip on how to make this a one bowl recipe. We like to use these Pyrex mixing bowls with lids for one bowl recipes.

How to Make Coleslaw

Make the best coleslaw for pulled pork in 3 easy steps: Prepare the cabbage mixture, make the creamy coleslaw dressing, and toss them all together. Once it's made, just chill and serve cold. Get ready for your friends and family to rave about the best coleslaw they've ever had!

Prepare Cabbage Mixture

Using a food processor, shred 4 cups of cabbage and ¼ cup of carrots.

Note: This recipe also works using 1-16oz bag of bagged coleslaw mix.

Place shredded cabbage mixture into a large bowl and set aside.

Make Easy Coleslaw Dressing

Put all dressing ingredients into a medium bowl. Whisk together to combine.

Coleslaw mixed together in a glass bowl with a white rubber spatula in bowl..

Mix To Combine

Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and mix well.

Chill and Serve

Cover the coleslaw and chill in the refrigerator. Serve with your favorite bbq recipes. We love to serve this with our recipe for Perfect Pulled Pork. It's a great way to top off a bbq pulled pork sandwich, or pork tacos.

Substitutions And Variations

There are so many different variations of cold slaw you can make with this easy coleslaw recipe. Substitute in your favorite flavors or swap out the cabbage and add some veggies.

Mediterranean Flavors - Use fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar, and swap out the mayonnaise for oil (avocado, olive, or canola oil) in this recipe for a Mediterranean twist. Add in some red onion, too.

Asian Flavors - For a more spicy cole slaw, try making an Asian Slaw like Sriracha Coleslaw. Add in some Asian flavors like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions. Substitute Furikake for celery seeds.

Some other variations include: Creamy Apple Coleslaw, Broccoli Slaw, or Brussels Sprout Slaw.

Pro Tips

Save Time. Use a food processor to shred your own cabbage instead of chopping it by hand. Or buy a pre-shredded cabbage mix, or a bagged coleslaw mix from the grocery store.
Save On Clean-up (One Bowl Recipe). Use a large airtight container to make, serve, and store this easy recipe in one bowl. Simply add all the ingredients to the bowl, put the lid on tightly, and give it a good shake to combine all the ingredients.
Note: We like to use these convenient Pyrex mixing bowls with lids for one bowl recipes.
Balancing Flavors. Vinegar is used to balance the sweetness of the sugar. If the flavor is too sweet, add a little vinegar or lemon juice to strike a balance. If it is too acidic, try adding a little more sugar.

Recipe FAQS

What sides go best with pulled pork sandwiches?

Coleslaw is the quintessential side dish recipe to go with pulled pork. But there are so many other easy sides that are the perfect compliment. Here's a few of our favorites:
coleslaw
baked beans
fried corn
oven roasted potatoes - Crisp on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside.
peach dump cake - It's fabulous! 😃
greek salad
potato salad
honey butter cornbread - Gooey, honey butter dessert-like fan favorite. Not to be missed.

What's the difference between cabbage slaw and coleslaw?

Cabbage slaw and coleslaw are synonymous. But there can be a difference between coleslaw and cold slaw.

Coleslaw is made from all kinds of cabbage, like green, purple, or red cabbage.

Whereas cold slaw is a slaw that is served cold and can include a variety of chopped or shredded vegetables and sometimes fruit, like apple slaw, Brussel sprout, or broccoli slaw.

Freezing and Storage

Homemade coleslaw will last about 3-5 days in the refrigerator. However, this mayonnaise based slaw will not freeze well. So, make sure to enjoy it while you can.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet & tangy coleslaw pairs well with our Perfect Pulled Pork Recipe made with slow roasted pork butt and our favorite dry rub with all the sweet & smokey flavors you'd expect in perfect BBQ. Make slow cooker pulled pork or slow cook pulled pork in oven with this easy recipe.

It's the best coleslaw for pulled pork sandwiches with some extra bbq sauce on the side. And the perfect addition to pork tacos, or fish tacos served on corn tortillas with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Our favorite way is to serve it with BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders.

⭐️ Be sure to check out our other pork recipes below for more pairing and serving suggestions.

More Pork Recipes

Here's some of our favorite ways to serve this sweet & tangy coleslaw:

Pulled pork on a brioche bun with coleslaw and BBQ sauce dripping down the side.

There you have it. Making the best coleslaw for pulled pork is as easy as that. Serve this tasty side dish recipe at your next backyard bbq party or family dinner. It's sure to be a hit! We hope you enjoy our super simple, super tasty recipe. Try it and let us know how you like it. We'd love to hear from you!

xo ~ Seanna

More Easy Side Dishes

Here are some more easy side dish recipes that go well with coleslaw and bbq pork. Give them a try!

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Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork