Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw is the perfect side dish for dinner. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of sweet and spicy. The crispy cabbage and tangy pickles will make your meal irresistible. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes and Mexican Street Corn Style Grilled Zucchini Recipe.
Why This Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy cabbage with a perfect crunch
- Tangy and sweet with a kick of heat
- Better than takeout and so easy to make
- Pairs perfectly with BBQ, burgers, and sandwiches
What You'll Need for Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
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 diced pickles
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
- Optional: Shredded cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- cabbage: Use a small head for easier slicing.
- pickles: Dill or sweet pickles work well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Slices cabbage thinly and evenly. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Chops pickles and onions quickly. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
- Prepare cabbage: Thinly slice the cabbage using a mandoline or sharp knife. Place in a large bowl.
- Chop pickles and onion: Finely chop pickles and red onion. Add to the bowl with cabbage.
- Make dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, pickle juice, sugar, mustard, celery salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Combine: Pour dressing over cabbage mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
- : For a milder slaw, reduce or omit cayenne pepper.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the slaw. Start with less dressing and add more if needed. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
- : Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- : For a creamy slaw, add more mayonnaise. For a tangier slaw, add more vinegar.
Storing & Reheating Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
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 1 day ahead.
Freezing Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not necessary.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker slaw, use pre-shredded cabbage.
- Best substitution: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar if needed.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the slaw up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or pickle juice.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality mayonnaise — Makes a big difference in the flavor of your slaw. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 small head cabbage
- 1 cup diced pickles
- 1/2 red onion
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Prepare cabbage: Thinly slice the cabbage using a mandoline or sharp knife. Place in a large bowl.
- Chop pickles and onion: Finely chop pickles and red onion. Add to the bowl with cabbage.
- Make dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, pickle juice, sugar, mustard, celery salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Combine: Pour dressing over cabbage mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker slaw, use pre-shredded cabbage.
- Best substitution: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar if needed.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the slaw up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or pickle juice.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not necessary.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- 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 for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make it up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
If your slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or pickle juice. You can also add a bit more vinegar for extra tanginess.
No, freezing can make the cabbage mushy and the pickles soggy.
No, the air fryer is not necessary for this recipe.
White vinegar can be used as a substitute.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw 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!
