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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork

    Published: Apr 6, 2023 · Last Updated: Apr 6, 2023 by Seanna Borrows · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · 8 Comments

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    The best coleslaw for pulled pork in a white bowl with a spoon and a light blue towel to the side.

    Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork - Homemade coleslaw recipe for a crunchy coleslaw with sweet & tangy flavors and a creamy coleslaw dressing.

    Make this easy side dish recipe in under 10 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.

    The best coleslaw for pulled pork in a white bowl with a spoon and a light blue towel to the side.
    Jump to:
    • Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork
    • Coleslaw Ingredients and Notes
    • Equipment
    • How to Make Coleslaw
    • Substitutions And Variations
    • Pro Tips
    • Recipe FAQS
    • Freezing and Storage
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Pork Recipes
    • More Easy Side Dishes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Community

    It's the best coleslaw recipe to go with all your favorite BBQ and pork recipes, like pulled pork sliders or pulled pork sandwiches. And the perfect addition to your next backyard BBQ party or family dinner.

    This was inspired by our Perfect Pulled Pork Recipe, and pairs well with our fabulous Honey Butter Jiffy Cornbread Recipe and many of our other side dish recipes.

    Make BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with any leftover pulled pork. They're so delish!

    Featured In:  25 Summer BBQ Recipes  on  SeasonalCravings.com , and in  30 Salad Recipes That'll Make Your Taste Buds Sing And Your Summer Sizzle  on  MSN.com .

    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.

    Individual ingredients for best coleslaw for pulled pork recipe.

    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!

    Fresh shredded cabbage mix in a bowl.

    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.

    The best coleslaw for pulled pork in a white bowl with a spoon and a light blue towel to the side.

    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:

    • perfect pulled pork
    • pulled pork sandwiches
    • bbq pork sliders
    • shredded pork tacos
    • oven baked ribs
    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!

    • Oven Roasted Potatoes
    • Fried Corn
    • Greek Salad
    • Cheesy Potatoes
    • Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes piled in a white bowl on a striped kitchen towel.
      Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes
    • Fried Corn in a white bowl on cutting board with blue kitchen towel in upper right hand corner.
      Fried Corn
    • Copycat Panera Greek Salad in a big white bowl with fresh pita bread on the side.
      Copycat Panera Greek Salad Recipe
    • Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole on a white plate on a light blue napkin.
      Easy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

    Hungry for More? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest recipes.

    📖 Recipe

    The best coleslaw for pulled pork in a white bowl with a spoon and a light blue towel to the side.

    Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork and BBQ

    Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork - Homemade coleslaw recipe for a crunchy coleslaw with sweet & tangy flavors and a creamy coleslaw dressing. Make this easy side dish recipe in under 10 minutes with just a few simple ingredients.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate Add to Shopping ListGo to Shopping List
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 133kcal
    Author: Seanna Borrows

    Equipment

    • large bowl
    • medium bowl
    • whisk
    • food processor optional
    • airtight container

    Ingredients

    Cabbage Mixture

    • 16 ounces cabbage shredded
    • ½ cup carrots optional, shredded

    Dressing Ingredients

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 3 tablespoons sugar white
    • 3 tablespoons vinegar white
    • 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon salt kosher salt or sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon celery seed
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    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.
      16 ounces cabbage, ½ cup carrots

    Make Easy Coleslaw Dressing

    • Put all dressing ingredients into a medium bowl. Whisk together to combine.
      ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon celery seed, ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Mix To Combine

    • Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and mix well.

    Chill And Serve

    • Cover the coleslaw and chill in the refrigerator.

    Video

    Notes

    Notes On Ingredients

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

    Substitutions and Variations

    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 onion. 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.

    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 it in a slow cooker or slow cook it in the 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 shredded 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2oz | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1402IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @SeannasKitchen and tag #seannaskitchen!

    Did you love this recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Seanna's Kitchen and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest and subscribe my Newsletter for ALL the latest recipes! We'd love to hear from you!

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links to products we use and love. If you click through these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Melissa Hannant

      October 30, 2023 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this dressing! I’m a fan of the horseradish in it.

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows

        October 30, 2023 at 3:23 pm

        Thanks so much Melissa! So glad you loved it!

        Reply
    2. Carole C

      August 27, 2023 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      Love this coleslaw for BBQ; not too sweet. The recipe makes enough so that the cabbage is well coated.

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows

        August 27, 2023 at 6:00 pm

        Great to hear Carole! Thanks so much for commenting.

        Reply
    3. Michele Buchanan

      May 28, 2023 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is so tasty..I left out the sugar and it was delicious.
      Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows

        May 28, 2023 at 3:28 pm

        Thank you so much Michele! I'm so happy you enjoyed it and took the time to let me know. I appreciate you!

        Reply
    4. Russ B

      April 06, 2023 at 6:25 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome with the pulled pork!

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows

        April 06, 2023 at 6:26 pm

        The perfect sweet & tangy compliment. 😊

        Reply

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