Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw is the perfect quick dinner side dish. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it crispy is to toss it right before serving. The crunchy cabbage and carrots, tangy pickles, and slightly sweet dressing make this coleslaw irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Watermelon Rose Cooler and Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Mustard Sauce.
Why This Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy cabbage and carrots
- Tangy pickles for extra flavor
- Slightly sweet dressing
- Easy to make and customize
What You'll Need for Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 small head cabbage
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 cup diced pickles
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- apple cider vinegar
- sugar
- celery seeds
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: shredded cheese
- Optional: crumbled bacon
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- cabbage: Use a mandoline or food processor to thinly slice for best results.
- pickles: Drain and chop pickles before adding to the slaw.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Ensures thin, even slices for perfect slaw texture. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Saves time and effort in slicing cabbage and carrots. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
- Prepare the cabbage and carrots: Thinly slice the cabbage and carrots using a mandoline or food processor. Place in a large bowl.
- Add pickles: Drain and chop the pickles. Add to the bowl with cabbage and carrots.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine and serve: Just before serving, pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid soggy slaw by not dressing it too far ahead. Toss right before serving.
- Tip: For a milder slaw, reduce or omit red pepper flakes.
- Tip: Add your favorite protein like pulled pork or grilled chicken for a complete meal.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the cabbage, carrots, and pickles up to a day ahead. Dress just before serving.
Freezing Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought coleslaw mix.
- Best substitution: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar if needed.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing up to a day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the slaw is too dry, add a bit more mayonnaise or vinegar. If too wet, add more cabbage or carrots.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Mayonnaise — Ensures creamy dressing for perfect slaw texture. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 small head cabbage
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 cup diced pickles
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Seasonings
- apple cider vinegar
- sugar
- celery seeds
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- chopped fresh parsley
- shredded cheese
- crumbled bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage and carrots: Thinly slice the cabbage and carrots using a mandoline or food processor. Place in a large bowl.
- Add pickles: Drain and chop the pickles. Add to the bowl with cabbage and carrots.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery seeds, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine and serve: Just before serving, pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use store-bought coleslaw mix.
- Best substitution: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar if needed.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing up to a day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the slaw is too dry, add a bit more mayonnaise or vinegar. If too wet, add more cabbage or carrots.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Prepare the cabbage, carrots, and pickles up to a day ahead. Dress just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners FAQs
Prepare the cabbage, carrots, and pickles up to a day ahead. Dress just before serving to keep it crispy.
Overdressing or dressing too far ahead can cause the slaw to become soggy. Avoid these mistakes for crispy slaw.
No, freezing can cause the cabbage and carrots to become mushy. It's best to enjoy this slaw fresh.
This recipe is best made in a bowl, not in the air fryer.
This crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw pairs well with grilled meats, BBQ, and cookout favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners 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!
