This is our go to recipe when we want coleslaw for pulled pork, and it’s as good as it gets! Crunchy, tangy, not too creamy, and just a touch sweet! We’re using store-bought coleslaw mix or chopped cabbage to make this quick and easy. Add thinly sliced red onion, then mix with our homemade coleslaw dressing.
Give it a toss, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though 2 is better! It stays crunchy without being weighed down and heavy from too much mayonnaise. Instead, you’ll find it’s the perfect light bite to top everything from pulled pork and bbq chicken sandwiches, to tacos, Reubens, and more!
Make today, then enjoy at all summer cookouts and gatherings, because this homemade classic coleslaw is not to be missed!
For more of our favorite summer side dishes, be sure to try our Greek Orzo Salad, Pecan Chicken Salad, Tuna Pasta Salad, Curried Chicken Salad, and our Broccoli Salad next!
Ingredients For Coleslaw
- Bagged chopped cabbage mix (red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrots)
- Red onion
- Mayonnaise
- Red wine vinegar
- Granulated sugar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
If you come from my husband’s family — or many Southern family’s — you likely add celery seed to homemade coleslaw. That’s cool, you do you, but I am pretty anti celery in my coleslaw so I’m leaving it out. If you like it, add ½ tsp to the recipe below. That should be just enough to get that flavor you crave!
How To Make Coleslaw For Pulled Pork
Homemade coleslaw could not be more simple! The thing to note is that it’s best served after sitting for at least 1 hour. This gives the cabbage a chance to sop up the dressing, which is necessary to make the best ever coleslaw for pulled pork!
Place bagged coleslaw mix in a large bowl, then add ½ a thinly sliced red onion, ¾ cup mayonnaise, 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp Kosher salt, and a couple pinches of black pepper. Use tongs to thoroughly toss.
Refrigerate until needed, at least 1 hour. Longer is better!
Not only is this fantastic on pulled pork sliders, but you could add this to any sandwich from Italian cold cuts to meatloaf to our epic Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich!
Other Ways To Enjoy Coleslaw
If you’re not eating coleslaw on a sandwich (not just for pulled pork, totally delicious on a reuben sandwich, rachel, or pulled chicken!) or as a side dish at your next picnic or cookout, here are some other ways to serve it up:
- On tacos!
- In eggrolls!
- As a bed for shawarma or other grilled meats, such as kebabs!
- With blackened salmon, mahi mahi, or chicken!
- On hot dogs or sausages!
We could go on and on — this is just sigh a light, crunchy side dish, it really pairs well with anything that could benefit from a touch of vinegar!
Tips For The Best Coleslaw
- Use store-bought coleslaw mix or chopped cabbage! Honestly, it is just so much easier than chopping fresh cabbage, it’s all pretty uniform in size, and you get a little of everything (red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrots), without having to buy a ton of each.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour! Yes, we’re a broken record, but coleslaw is best when mixed and then chilled for at least 1 hour. 2 hours is even better! You can make this 1 day in advance if you want to prep ahead!
- Don’t add too much mayonnaise! If you like a super creamy coleslaw, this likely isn’t the recipe for you. Instead, this coleslaw for pulled pork uses both mayonnaise and red wine vinegar in the dressing to create a light, tangy, slightly sweet coleslaw. It’s the best ever!
- Don’t skip the sugar! The sugar will help to balance out the tang from the vinegar. Don’t worry, it’s not a very sweet dish, it adds just enough to balance it all out.
One bite of our crunchy coleslaw and we think you’ll agree it’s hard to stop! It truly is the perfect companion for pulled pork sliders and sandwiches, and will certainly become a staple at all your summer cookouts!
If you make this Traditional Coleslaw recipe, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below.
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More summer recipes to try!
- Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings
- Grilled Lobster Tails and Clams
- Grilled Peach Salad
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
- Israeli Salad
Coleslaw For Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 oz bagged coleslaw mix
- ½ medium red onion thinly sliced
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine in a bowl. Place bagged coleslaw mix in a large bowl, then add ½ a thinly sliced red onion, ¾ cup mayonnaise, 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, ½ tsp Kosher salt, and a couple pinches of black pepper. Use tongs to thoroughly toss.
- Refrigerate until needed, at least 1 hour (though 2 or 3 hours is better).
Video
Notes
- Use store-bought coleslaw mix or chopped cabbage! It’s easy, it’s uniform in size, and you get a little of everything (red cabbage, green cabbage, and carrots).
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour! 2 hours is even better! You can make this 1 day in advance if you want to prep ahead!
- Don’t add too much mayonnaise!
- Does not freeze well because of the mayonnaise — best enjoyed fresh!
Made pulled pork today and this slaw topped it off perfectly. Love the mild sweetness with the tang the red wine vinegar, yum! Will be making this again. I think it would be good with fish tacos as well as chicken dishes as suggested.
It is the perfect coleslaw!! We have used it for fish tacos, as well. Love that it’s not too heavy! Thanks for the review! xo, Ari
Great coleslaw! Needed a good tangy crunch to accompany some leftover chicken carnitas that we were putting into tacos, and this totally fit the bill. Amazing idea to combine mayo and red wine vinegar! I added a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a touch more acidity. Thank you!
We love, love, love this coleslaw! The best crunch! xo, Ari
Thank you! I added the celery seed and green pepper. It’s in the fridge and I can’t wait to eat it with pulled pork tacos tonight 😋
YUM!!! Hope you loved the slaw — super easy to make, crisp, and refreshing! xo, Ari
Delicious and easy! Yum!
We love it too! xo, Ari
Was looking for a recipe to go along pulled pork tacos, this was incredibly quick and easy and tastes delicious!
Thanks so much, Caroline! We love this one too! xo, Ari
looking for a coleslaw recipe for pulled pork baked potatoes. Could I sub greek yogurt for the mayo?
Hi Marty! You can certainly give it a try, but the end result will be MUCH tangier, as Greek yogurt has a different flavor profile than mayo. Doesn’t mean it won’t be good, it just won’t taste the way this recipe was intended. Let me know if you give it a try. Ari
Delicious! I cut all my veg because I don’t personally like bagged salads, and I added finely sliced/matchstick gala apple. The dressing is a little tart, a little sweet, not too creamy; it went perfectly with our pulled pork. Kids and hubs loved it!
That sounds SO good! Love the idea of adding apple! xo, Ari
Love this coleslaw…the onion flavor is everything! This coleslaw only gets better with time.
Thank you, Michelle! We love it so much! xo, Ari
Made this slaw for pull pork sandwiches last month. Today we are smoking pork ribs. Guess which slaw my family wanted as a side? This time I added an extra 8 ounces shredded cabbage, but did not alter the dressing ingredient measurements. It’s marinating in the fridge now for dinner later. Can’t wait!
YESSS!! This is seriously so easy and delicious. We love a good slaw! xo, Ari
This was really good. I used 1/2 a red cabbage, skipped the sugar and substituted apple cider vinegar. Yum!
Thanks so much for the review, Joelle! xo, Ari
Can I substitute the red wine vinegar for rice vinegar?
Yes, that’s not a problem! xo, Ari
I have used this recipe twice and everyone has loved it. I used it once on pulled pork sandwiches and the second time to spruce up our Manwiches. It was delicious on both.
It’s so delicious on sandwiches! Glad you enjoyed! xo, Ari
The coleslaw is pretty good. I would cut the sugar amount in half to 1 tablespoon and add half a teaspoon of celery seed with some onion salt. Other than that it turned out nice.
Thanks for your feedback!