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.
This was so crisp and light 🙂
So glad you liked it!
I needed a coleslaw recipe to go with tonight’s dinner (seasoned chicken breasts glazed with your bbq sauce). So I checked out your website & found exactly what I was looking for. So easy to make & all the ingredients were on hand. Not too creamy, not too tangy – perfect! This will be my go to from now on. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed this Anna! It’s one of my favorites for the same reasons… not too creamy or tangy and easy to make.
This was a big hit with the entire extended family. Served with pulled pork sandwiches and even better the next day!
Hi Mary! Glad the whole family loved these. And yes, I think the coleslaw is better the next day too! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Can I add my green onion before serving? I don’t currently have any on hand. So excited to try this.
Yes, you can add it before serving. Let us know how it turns out Sarah.
This coleslaw is fantastic. We had it tonight on our pulled pork sandwiches. I did use avocado mayo. Great suggestion. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it Sarah. Thanks for leaving a review!
Wow! This coleslaw is tangy and delicious! I made it for sloppy joes and it was the perfect side! Super easy to make and restaurant delicious!
Restaurant Delicious! I love it! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Dean. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
This was delicious! Even my Mom, who doesn’t like coleslaw, loved it. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Brandy! That’s high praise for a recipe when you convert someone who thought they didn’t like it. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Best I’ve ever tasted!
Yay! Thanks for the review Janet.
The dressing was really delicious! I used regular mayonnaise, liquified fresh farm honey, apple cider vinegar with mother, fresh ground pepper. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Hi Susan. You are so welcome. And thank YOU for taking the time to write out what you specifically used so others can have that knowledge as well.
added celery seeds. Spot on!
Sounds delicious Bob! Thanks for sharing!
Love these simple recipes that can be ready and delish in a few mins! I subbed dehydrated onion for the green onion because it’s what I had on hand. Thank you ladies for providing such wonderful recipes!
You are so welcome Charity! Thank you for the kind words. I wouldn’t have thought to use dehydrated onion for this. Thanks for the tip!
Such an easy recipe! It’s a go-to in our house.
That’s great to hear, Jess. Thanks for the review!
Quick, easy and delicious!
Thanks Linda!
Good tasting & easy to make!
So true Mary! I was surprised by how easy and delicious it was the first time I made it. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Wonderful dressing! Nippy and so tasty! Definitely a keeper.
Aw, thanks Ruthann!
My go-to ‘slaw recipe, with or without pulled pork. Love it on sandwiches, bbq chicken sandwiches, or straight with a fork.
Thank you for this easy, classic recipe.
Hi Robert! What a wonderful review, thank you for taking the time to write it. So glad you’ve found a go-to recipe that’s versatile!
My whole family loved this recipe. I didn’t have green onions so I put in some chopped chives. delish, delish!!!
Glad to hear it Cindy!