Coleslaw is a staple side dish for barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. But have you ever thought about adding a tangy twist to this classic dish? Enter creamy pickle coleslaw—a combination of traditional coleslaw and the zesty flavor of pickles. This creamy pickle coleslaw recipe will elevate your coleslaw game by adding crunchy dill pickles and pickle juice to your creamy coleslaw recipe.
My kids have been obsessed with coleslaw since their first bites of creamy coleslaw at KFC. We love lots of tangy flavors in our coleslaw, like in the Italian Coleslaw. But my homemade refrigerator pickles were calling to be added to a coleslaw, hence this creamy coleslaw recipe.
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Why Pickle Coleslaw?
Pickles add a tangy, slightly sweet, and crunchy element to the coleslaw, making it more exciting and flavorful. The creamy dressing balances the tanginess, creating a harmonious blend that's perfect for summer cookouts or as a side for sandwiches and burgers. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any extra pickles you have in the fridge!
Ingredients for Creamy Pickle Slaw
Here are the ingredients you need to make the creamy dill pickle coleslaw:
- Tri-color coleslaw - Bagged tri-color coleslaw mix works perfectly. You can also shred the green and purple cabbage along with carrots too.
- Mayonnaise - Debate the mayo brands all you want, just use your favorite mayonnaise. And if you are a Miracle Whip fan, that will work, too.
- Dill pickles — Refrigerator dill pickles are my preference for this recipe because they are crunchier. I used homemade refrigerator pickles in this dill pickle coleslaw recipe.
- Dill pickle juice - From the jar of your dill pickles.
- Onions - I used the onions from the pickles, but if you use pickles without onions in it, just use white, red, or sweet onions.
- Garlic - Again, I used the garlic from the pickle jar, but you can also use fresh cloves of garlic too.
- salt and pepper
- dijon mustard - optional
- fresh dill or pickles for garnish
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for How to Make Creamy Pickle Coleslaw
Grab your favorite bowl that also has a lid and get to making the creamy slaw.
- Step 1: Combine the green and purple cabbage and grated carrots in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Dice up the pickles, garlic, and onions.
- Step 3: Add the pickles, onions, garlic, pickle juice, and mayonnaise to the cabbage and carrots. Season with salt and pepper. If you are using mustard in your recipe, add it now.
- Step 4: Stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Before serving, give the dill pickle coleslaw a quick toss to refresh the mix. Garnish the salad with more dill pickles or even fresh dill.
Hint: For easier mixing, you can also make the dressing separate by mixing the pickle juice, mustard, and mayonnaise together in a separate bowl. Pour over the slaw, pickles, onions, and garlic.
Substitutions
Whether you're dealing with dietary restrictions, ingredient shortages, or simply want to try something different, there are plenty of substitutions you can make in the creamy pickle coleslaw recipe without sacrificing flavor. Here are some options:
- Cabbage - Substitute with shredded Brussels sprouts, kale, or broccoli slaw.
- Dill Pickles - Use bread and butter pickles for a sweeter flavor.
- Mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangier dressing.
These substitutions can help you adapt the creamy dill pickle coleslaw recipe to fit your preferences, dietary needs, and available ingredients, ensuring you always have a delicious and versatile side dish on hand.
Variations
While the classic creamy dill pickle coleslaw is delicious on its own, there are many ways to put a personal twist on this recipe. Here are some variations to keep your taste buds intrigued and your coleslaw game fresh:
- Spicy Pickle Slaw - Add 1-2 finely chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing. Use spicy pickles instead of regular dill or bread and butter pickles.
- Bacon Pickle Slaw - Add 4-6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon to the coleslaw. Cook and crumble the bacon. Follow the original recipe, adding the crumbled bacon to the vegetable mix
- Avocado Dill Pickle Coleslaw - Add diced avocados to the coleslaw. Mix the avocado in the with vegetables.
See this Italian Coleslaw recipe for an Italian pickle slaw recipe.
Essentials for Making Coleslaw
Everything you need to make the best creamy coleslaw recipe can be found on our store on Amazon.
Storage
Creamy coleslaw can stay fresh for up to five days when kept in an airtight container in the fridge.
Tips for the Perfect Pickle Coleslaw
- Cabbage: Make sure to shred the cabbage finely. This helps the dressing coat the cabbage more thoroughly and gives the coleslaw a better texture.
- Pickles: Use your favorite type of pickles. Dill pickles add a tangy kick, while bread and butter pickles provide a sweeter flavor. You can also experiment with spicy pickles for an extra zing.
- Dressing: Adjust the dressing to your taste. If you prefer a tangier coleslaw, add more pickle juice or vinegar. For a sweeter touch, increase the honey or sugar.
FAQ
Creamy coleslaw will keep for up to five days in the refrigerator.
Creamy coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage and a dressing made from mayonnaise and vinegar. For this creamy dill pickle slaw, pickle juice is used instead of the vinegar.
Related Salad Recipes
Looking for other salad recipes like this? Try these:
- Traditional 7-Layer Salad Recipe with Peas and Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Sweet Macaroni Salad - Old-Fashioned Creamy Pasta Salad with Sweetened Condensed Milk
- High Protein Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Cottage Cheese
- Cold Spaghetti Pasta Salad
Pairing with your Favorite BBQ Recipes
These are my favorite BBQ dishes to serve with this creamy dill pickle slaw:
- Smoked Honey Garlic Wings
- Delicious Grilled Baby Potato Kabobs Recipe
- Pickle Brined Grilled Chicken
- The Best Grilled Pork Chops Dry Rub Recipe
๐ Recipe
Creamy Pickle Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 14-16 ounces tric-color coleslaw mix
- ¼ cup onions
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup dill pickles
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dump the tri-color coleslaw into the large bowl. If using whole cabbage, shred the green and purple cabbage as well as the carrots.
- Chop the dill pickles, onions, and garlic. If not using the onions and garlic in the pickles, fresh must also be finely chopped too.
- Add the mayonnaise, mustard, chopped pickles, onions, garlic, pickle juice, and seasonings.
- Mix to completely to make the creamy dill pickle coleslaw.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
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