5-Ingredient Coleslaw
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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!
“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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
Ingredients
You’ll just need these five simple ingredients:
- A (16 ounce bag) of coleslaw – I like the kind with shredded carrots and multi-colored cabbage.
- 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.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds a little acidity to brighten and lighten up the flavor.
- Honey – Replaces processed white sugar that’s in most recipes and adds a hint of natural sweetness.
- 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.
After that is ready, toss it with a bag of coleslaw mix and some diced green onions. THAT. IS. IT.
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
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.
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.
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:
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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!
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
- In a large serving bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, honey, green onions, salt, and pepper.
- Add the coleslaw mix and stir until well combined.
- 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.
Best coleslaw recipe I’ve tried thus far!
Awesome! Love to hear it. 🙂
So yummy !!
Thanks for the review Jenn!
This recipe is Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Don’t let the simplicity fool you. This packed with flavor. It’s my new go-to for coleslaw!
Thank you so much Carole! Glad you found us! 🙂
This recipe was simple and fast. The flavor was great and it went very well with our BBQ pulled pork.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review Diane! So glad you liked it.
Very simple and delicious, the honey takes a little more time to work into the mix but it’s worth it 👍👍
Thanks Aaron! So glad you liked it!
So yummy and super easy to make!
Glad you enjoyed it Joelle!
Excellent recipe and very easy to make. My whole family loved it. I will definitely make it again.
Awesome! Thanks for leaving a review Jackie.
Great recipe – simple and tasty!
Thanks Mark!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I have been searching for it for years! And kudos to you for a reasonable serving amount instead of an amount that feeds 20 like so many of the recipes do. I found this recipe on Pintrest..
Appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, Deb. I’m really glad you found this recipe, too. 🙂
This is my new go-to coleslaw recipe. The measurements are well-suited for four people.
Hi Debbie! Thanks for the review. Glad you found a new go-to!
It gets 10 stars!
Oh wow! Thank you Jen. So glad you loved it!
Huge crowd pleaser! This is one of the best coleslaws I’ve ever had and I received many compliments from everyone.
Yay! Always love to hear rave group reviews! Thank you for taking the time to tell us.
I’ll add a little less honey next time but loved this recipe! Added lemon because it was a little sweet for me.
Hi Sara! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We all like varying amounts of sweet. Good tips!
All I can say is this coleslaw is perfect for pulled pork!! Excellent! My family loved it! Thank you!!
Awesome! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review.
Very good recipe! I had never actually eaten coleslaw ON my pulled pork sandwich…but tried it with this coleslaw and OMG…may be my favorite sandwich ever! Thank you.
Yes! I first had coleslaw on pulled pork when I lived in Mississippi. I haven’t been able to eat it without coleslaw ever since! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Really good and classic! I shredded my own cabbage as I prefer a 2 to 1 red to green cabbage and more carrots for color. Fantastic side for pulled pork & corn muffins.
Great idea to shred your own cabbage and serve corn muffins on the side. Yum!