Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw is the perfect side dish for any meal. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of sweet and spicy. The crispy cabbage and carrots are irresistible! If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Bourbon Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls with Candied Bacon and Easy Caramel Apple Slices with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe.
Why This Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy cabbage and carrots
- Tangy, sweet, and spicy dressing
- Better than takeout
- Easy to make
What You'll Need for Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Pickles
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cabbage: Use a mix of green and red cabbage for color and crunch.
- Pickles: Deli-style pickles work best. Avoid sweet pickles.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Slices cabbage and carrots evenly and quickly. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Chops pickles and shreds cabbage in seconds. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the cabbage and carrots using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Chop the pickles finely.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine and serve: Add the cabbage, carrots, and pickles to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
- : For a milder slaw, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid over-dressing the slaw. Start with less dressing and add more as needed. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- : Make ahead: The dressing can be made up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- : For a creamy slaw, use full-fat mayonnaise. For a lighter version, use low-fat or Greek yogurt instead.
Storing & Reheating Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The dressing can be made up to a day in advance. The slaw is best served fresh.
Freezing Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended. The slaw may become soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the pickles. They provide the tangy flavor that makes this slaw unique.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or apple cider vinegar.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality mayonnaise — Makes a creamy, tangy dressing for the slaw. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Pickles
Seasonings
- Mayonnaise
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the cabbage and carrots using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife. Chop the pickles finely.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine and serve: Add the cabbage, carrots, and pickles to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker version, use a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the pickles. They provide the tangy flavor that makes this slaw unique.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or apple cider vinegar.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended. The slaw may become soggy.
- Make ahead: The dressing can be made up to a day in advance. The slaw is best served fresh.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, the dressing can be made up to a day in advance. However, the slaw is best served fresh.
You may have used too much cabbage or not enough dressing. Try using less cabbage and more dressing next time.
No, freezing will cause the cabbage and carrots to lose their crunch.
No, the air fryer is not necessary for this recipe.
There is no suitable substitute for the tangy flavor that pickles provide. However, you could try using capers or cornichons as a replacement.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Recipe for Dinner 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!
