Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork (2024)

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. · 16 Comments

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.

It's the best coleslaw 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, and pairs well with our fabulous Honey Butter Jiffy Cornbread and many of our other side dishes.

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

Featured In: 25 Summer BBQ Recipes on SeasonalCravings.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.

Coleslaw Ingredients and Notes

Cabbage Mixture

This traditional coleslaw 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 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. 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.

How to Make Coleslaw

Make the best coleslaw in a few 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

1. Using a food processor, shred 4 cups of cabbage and ¼ cup of carrots. Place shredded cabbage mixture into a large bowl and set aside.

Note: This also works using a 16oz bag of bagged coleslaw mix.

Make Easy Coleslaw Dressing

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

Mix To Combine

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

Chill and Serve

4. Cover the coleslaw and chill in the refrigerator. Serve with your favorite bbq recipes. We love to serve this with our Perfect Pulled Pork. It's a great way to top off a BBQ 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) 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 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.

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.

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

There you have it. Making the best coleslaw is as easy as that. Serve this tasty side dish 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 dishes that go well with coleslaw and BBQ pork. Give them a try!

• Oven Roasted Potatoes
• Fried Corn
• Greek Salad
• Cheesy Potatoes

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