Y’all, I just love pickles. By themselves, fried, in a delicious dip, on just about anything. I just love them. Kosher, dill, half sour, all of them.
One of my mom’s favorite stories to tell about when I was little is about the time she caught me standing in the kitchen with the fridge door open drinking all of the juice out of a jar of pickles. So yeah, I like pickles.
A few years back, I did a bbq chicken slider that had a dill pickle slaw and the truth of the matter is, the pickle slaw was way more popular than the sliders themselves. So I decided that Dill Pickle Coleslaw deserved a little more recognition than just being tossed on a slider.
I got in the kitchen last weekend to work on this one a little more and I think I stumbled onto something amazing. I tweaked my original recipe a little and have come up with what I think is the perfect slaw. It’s a balance of tangy and tart, with TONS of pickle flavor.
Now, you’ve got to be a pickle lover to appreciate this, but even my wife, who isn’t a huge pickle lover, absolutely loved this. She came in the kitchen as I was working on it and took one bite and said, “Ok, stop right there. Don’t do anything else. That stuff is amazing!” She knows I have a tendency to constantly tweak and change – sometimes doing more harm than good. She saved me from myself. 🙂
Cause, y’all… this stuff is GOOD!
This recipe is quick, easy, and amazingly delicious. It’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of one of those bags of shredded coleslaw mix in the produce section of the grocery store. I really like to use the tri-color one for the additional color and texture, but the plain will work just as well. And yes, if you’re feeling super ambitious, you can shred your own cabbage if you’re so inclined. You’ll need between 7 and 8 cups of shredded cabbage – or about 1 pound.
As with many things, this dish gets better after it has a little time to let those flavors get happy together. An hour or two will do. I just always suggest, especially with coleslaw, that you taste it after it has rested and adjust the seasonings as necessary. Many times the salt in the dressing will pull a little water out of the cabbage and dilute the flavors down a touch, so just grab a taste before you serve it. Y’all enjoy!
Dill Pickle Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package coleslaw mix
- 1/2 sweet onion, finely diced
- 1 cup finely chopped dill pickles
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, make the dressing by combining the onion, pickles, mayo, pickle juice, dill, garlic powder, and salt. Add the coleslaw mix and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to combine. When ready to serve, taste and add additional salt if necessary, then serve.
Bessie says
Well, this sounded so good I wanted to try it. Woops no cabbage.. Still determined—lots of caluflower and broc in the frig. so I used them instead. It was WONDERFUL love that dressing. Thank you.
Stacey says
I think that sounds like an amazing substitution! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Amye says
This sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to try it.
Stacey says
Sure hope it turns out great for you!!
Anne says
Thank you for this recipe. Sounds just about what I do. I also add some chopped up apple (with a little lemon juice to help prevent browning) and small diced green bell pepper. Love dill pickles in coleslaw. Sweet pickles are nasty! ????
Stacey says
Those sound like some great additions! Hope it turns out great for you!
Edgar Mathews says
totally sold me… I love med some pickles, B&B or dill…. so now tomorrow at the store I’ll pick up some coleslaw mix (I have everything else) and whip a batch of this delicious looking slaw….. thanks so much Stacey!!
Stacey says
Thanks so much, Edgar! Sure hope you’ll enjoy it!
Edgar Mathews says
So, I made some over the weekend…. and it was delicious!!! Easy to make and a great side dish. I made two changes… I left out the dry dill ( I don’t care for dry dill) and instead of coleslaw mix I use the broccoli slaw mix… just the best slaw recipe ever!! Thanks again!!
Stacey says
That sounds great, Edgar! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Tiina says
This was brilliant! The pickles were something I had never imagined to add to coleslaw but when I saw your recipe I knew I was hooked even before tasting it ???? Thank you !
Stacey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Tina!!
Rebecca says
I love it! I like pickles with pork barbecue and slaw is always too sweet. I said, this would be great with barbecue and it IS! It is my new side dish for picnics!
Stacey says
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this!
Deborah says
I’m not much of a coleslaw person but this was very good.
Stacey says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
AKM says
I’m going to make some keto Nashville hot chicken in my air fryer this week, and as you probably know, pickles are the preferred condiment/side for that, so this cole slaw is PERFECT.
Stacey says
Hope it turns out great for you!
Koryn says
So good! Had to try this asap and it’s my new favorite coleslaw.
Stacey says
Love it! So happy to hear that!
Leslie says
I have a jar of dill pickle relish in the pantry. Could that replace the pickles & juice?
Stacey says
Sure could! Enjoy!
Baltisraul says
I either lost my dill pickle coleslaw recipe or my wife threw it out, I’m thinking the latter. So since I’m charged with making the Boston Butt on Memorial Day, she will just have to accept it. haha Will make 1 day in advance and add 1/2 tea to 1 tea of tarragon vinegar. My secret weapon!!
Stacey says
That tarragon vinegar sounds like a great addition! Enjoy!
Aileen says
Stacey, do you remember Luby’s Cafeteria? Or was that only in Texas? They had a coleslaw with pickles similar to this. I loved it! Thank you for the recipe!
Stacey says
I’m guessing that it’s a Texas thing, as I’ve never heard of it. But if Aileen is recommending it, you know I want to try it now!!!
Dianne says
What type of mayo would be best. I usually prefer Miracle Whip but would this recipe be more of a Hellman’s mayo? Thanks!
Stacey says
I use Duke’s, but yes, mayo would be best. I wouldn’t recommend Miracle Whip here.
CK says
Definitely making this again. Followed recipe to the T & it turned out perfectly!! Great change. It’s fun to try new coleslaw flavors. This is a keeper!
Stacey says
So glad you liked it!
Baby dd says
I made This dill pickle coleslaw yumo
I also added 1/4 cut of lemon juice and 2 tablespoon of spicy mustard for a great saucy coleslaw
PS I never cut up anything I use the food processor for everything !
Very good even my dawg baby dd liked it
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