Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
Love tangy, crunchy coleslaw? This dill pickle coleslaw is the best, easiest side dish for your summer cookouts or any meal. After making this countless times, I’ve perfected the balance of creamy and tangy. It’s fresh, crispy, and so much better than store-bought. Try it with my Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this with my Penne Pasta with Peas and Bacon and For a creamy side, try my Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing.
Why This Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish Is Pure Comfort
- Tangy dill pickle flavor that's not overpowering
- Crunchy cabbage and pickles in every bite
- Creamy dressing that doesn't make it soggy
- Quick and easy to make, with no cooking required
What You'll Need for Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 small head cabbage
- 1 cup dill pickles
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
- Optional: 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Cabbage: Use a small head for easier shredding and a better texture.
- Pickles: Use dill pickles for the best flavor. You can also use sweet pickles if you prefer less tang.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Makes quick work of shredding cabbage and pickles for even, consistent slices. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Speeds up prep time by shredding cabbage and pickles in seconds. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
- Prepare the cabbage and pickles: Quarter and core the cabbage, then thinly slice. Finely chop the pickles. Combine in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, pickle juice, vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Combine and chill: Pour the dressing over the cabbage and pickles. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh dill and red onion (if using). Serve chilled.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the coleslaw. Overmixing can break down the cabbage and make it soggy. Just toss it until the dressing is evenly distributed.
- Time-saving tip: Make the coleslaw up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld even more, and it's one less thing to do on the day of your cookout.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
- Texture tip: For a crunchier coleslaw, use half green cabbage and half red cabbage. The red cabbage adds a pop of color and a slightly different texture.
Storing & Reheating Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to a day ahead.
Freezing Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the mayonnaise. It's the base of the dressing and provides the creaminess.
- Make-ahead: Make the coleslaw up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld even more, and it's one less thing to do on the day of your cookout.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your coleslaw is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or pickle juice. If it's too wet, add a little more shredded cabbage or let it sit in a colander to drain some of the liquid.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality mayonnaise — Using a good-quality mayonnaise makes a big difference in the flavor of your coleslaw. It's worth the splurge. → Check price on Amazon
Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 small head cabbage
- 1 cup dill pickles
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage and pickles: Quarter and core the cabbage, then thinly slice. Finely chop the pickles. Combine in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, pickle juice, vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Combine and chill: Pour the dressing over the cabbage and pickles. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh dill and red onion (if using). Serve chilled.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the mayonnaise. It's the base of the dressing and provides the creaminess.
- Make-ahead: Make the coleslaw up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld even more, and it's one less thing to do on the day of your cookout.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your coleslaw is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or pickle juice. If it's too wet, add a little more shredded cabbage or let it sit in a colander to drain some of the liquid.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish FAQs
Yes, you can make it up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld even more, and it's one less thing to do on the day of your cookout.
Overmixing can break down the cabbage and make it soggy. Just toss it until the dressing is evenly distributed. Also, using too much dressing can make it soggy. Start with less dressing and add more if needed.
No, coleslaw does not freeze well. The cabbage and pickles can become mushy when thawed.
No, coleslaw is a cold dish and does not require cooking. It's best served chilled.
There is no suitable substitute for mayonnaise in coleslaw. It's the base of the dressing and provides the creaminess.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Dill Pickle Coleslaw: Quick & Easy Side Dish and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
