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Home Recipe Index 6 Ingredients or Less

5-Ingredient Coleslaw

4.9 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 6/24/24Updated: 8/4/24

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Looking for a go-to, easy coleslaw recipe for pulled pork or enjoy as a side with any BBQ recipes? This is it! It’s creamy, slightly sweet and tangy, and has a little punch from green onion and black pepper. You’ll make this dairy-free, healthier coleslaw again and again!

Creamy coleslaw in a glass bowl. this …


 

“This recipe is quick, easy, good, and I usually have all the ingredients on hand. Serving this with bbq pulled pork sandwiches tonight and some quick pickled red onions. This has been my go to recipe for coleslaw.”

– Kera ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Table of Contents
  • Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make This Easy Coleslaw
  • What to Serve It With
  • FAQs
  • Other Side Dishes You’ll Love
  • 5-Ingredient Coleslaw (for Pulled Pork)

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s simple – Only 5 main ingredients, but it’s healthier than most creamy coleslaw recipes.
  • It’s dairy-free – We didn’t use buttermilk or sour cream.
  • Less mayo than most recipes, resulting in a lighter tasting coleslaw.
  • We opted for honey instead of white sugar.
  • Great with leftover rotisserie chicken, Instant Pot Drumsticks, or Asian Chicken.
Coleslaw for pulled pork in a serving bowl.

Ingredients

You’ll just need these five simple ingredients:

  1. A (16 ounce bag) of coleslaw – I like the kind with shredded carrots and multi-colored cabbage.
  2. Mayo – You’ll use just a little bit to add creaminess. I prefer to use Avocado Mayo because it’s got all real food ingredients and no additives or preservatives.
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a little acidity to brighten and lighten up the flavor.
  4. Honey – Replaces processed white sugar that’s in most recipes and adds a hint of natural sweetness.
  5. Green onions – Sliced thinly. Chives also work.

You’ll also need salt and pepper from the pantry.

How to Make This Easy Coleslaw

This recipe is SO easy peasy. Find the full, printable recipe at the bottom.

Simply whip together the coleslaw dressing in a large mixing bowl. Keep in mind, if you like yours a bit creamier, add a bit more mayonnaise in this step.

Coleslaw dressing being whisked together in a glass serving bowl.

After that is ready, toss it with a bag of coleslaw mix and some diced green onions. THAT. IS. IT.

Coleslaw for pulled pork in a glass bowl with chopped green onions on top.

What to Serve It With

Because this coleslaw is on the lighter side (less mayo than a typical store-bought recipe), it doesn’t drown out the delicious flavors of the recipe you might be putting it on. This is why we really like this coleslaw for pulled pork recipes.

It would also go well with our Roasted Pork Tenderloin or Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches and Baby Boiled Potatoes on the side. Yum!

FAQs

How long does coleslaw last in the fridge?

While we recommend letting this recipe hang out in the fridge for a bit (the flavors get better over time), you will want to eat it all up in 3-5 days. After that, the veggies might start to deteriorate.

Can I freeze coleslaw?

Pulling from over a decade of freezer cooking experience, I’d advise you to not freeze coleslaw. After it thaws, it would be soggy and lack the crunchy texture that people love about it.

What does coleslaw pair well with?

Pulled Pork
BBQ Chicken Sliders
BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Fried Catfish

Other Side Dishes You’ll Love

If you like this coleslaw, here are some other faves that go with pulled pork or any other BBQ, roasted, or grilled meat:

Asian slaw in a white bowl with spoons.

Asian Slaw

Mixed green salad with chopped strawberries, pineapple chunks, and feta cheese on top.

Summer Strawberry Salad

Crispy smashed potatoes on a baking sheet.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Mac and cheese in a bowl with steamed broccoli on the side.

Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

All Side Dishes

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

A bowl of coleslaw for pulled pork.
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 67 reviews

5-Ingredient Coleslaw (for Pulled Pork)

Looking for an easy, creamy coleslaw that goes well with pulled pork or any other BBQ? This is it! It’s creamy, slightly sweet and tangy, and has a little punch from green onion and black pepper. You’ll make this healthier (and dairy-free) coleslaw again and again!

Yield: 6 (1 cup) servings 1x
Prep: 5 minutesTotal: 5 minutes
Print Recipe Rate Pin for Later [socialpug_share networks=”email” networks_labels=”Email” show_labels=”yes” overwrite=”yes”]
Scale:

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup real mayonnaise (my favorite is Avocado Mayonnaise)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey (sub: sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions (or chives)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 (16-ounce) bag of coleslaw mix (cabbage with carrots)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

  1. In a large serving bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, honey, green onions, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add the coleslaw mix and stir until well combined.
  3. Let sit in the fridge for 2-4 hours before serving (the flavors get better!). Be sure to taste and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference before serving. 

Notes/Tips

  • Want it creamier? Try using 1/2 cup of mayo instead.
  • You can also add in 1 teaspoon of celery seed if you want a more traditional southern style coleslaw.
© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine: American Method: No Cook

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Bowl of creamy 5-ingredient coleslaw.
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Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. CJ says

    Posted on 5/18/25 at 3:51 pm

    Great for on top of a pulled pork sandwiches or as a stand alone side! It does not overpower and complements meat beautifully!!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 5/18/25 at 5:17 pm

      Hi CJ. So glad you enjoyed this coleslaw. Thanks for leaving a review!

      Reply
  2. Diana says

    Posted on 5/14/25 at 11:09 am

    Super easy to make and goes really well with pulled pork sandwiches. Even my seven year old enjoyed it.

    Reply
    • Rachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 5/14/25 at 11:50 am

      A 7-year-old positive review is the best review! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Reply
  3. Teresa Cook says

    Posted on 5/4/25 at 3:32 pm

    Literally the best coleslaw I have ever had!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 5/5/25 at 8:42 am

      Yay! Thanks for the high praise Teresa!

      Reply
  4. Lindsey says

    Posted on 4/26/25 at 7:50 pm

    Super easy and yummy recipe! My 3yo kept asking for more “salad.” I only made it an hr ahead of time but was still good. Can’t wait to taste it after a few hours!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 4/27/25 at 12:23 pm

      Glad your family enjoyed this Lindsey. Thanks for leaving a review!

      Reply
  5. Simone says

    Posted on 2/17/25 at 2:39 pm

    Love it! I cut the black pepper in half, but that’s just preference. I usually prefer vinegar based slaw because I don’t like mayo, but I made my own avocado oil mayo and used it in this recipe and it’s excellent! Will go great with shredded bbq chicken!

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 2/17/25 at 3:44 pm

      Those changes sound amazing Simone! Thank you for leaving a detailed review.

      Reply
  6. carly says

    Posted on 1/19/25 at 2:20 am

    This recipe was exactly what I was looking for. Something quick, easy and very deliciously paired with my pulled pork. This one will be a repeat offender.

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 1/20/25 at 12:59 pm

      Glad you found a home run to put on repeat Carly! Thanks for leaving a review.

      Reply
  7. Jan Vian says

    Posted on 11/5/24 at 8:27 am

    Perfect for pulled pork sandwiches or just eating it. I love it

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 11/5/24 at 10:32 am

      So glad you found a winner Jan! Thanks for leaving a review.

      Reply
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