Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
Love the tangy crunch of pickles? This Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw is your new go-to side dish. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the balance of sweet and heat. It’s crispy, fresh, and pairs perfectly with my Fresh Strawberry Salsa Stuffed Avocados. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Strawberry Salsa Stuffed Avocados and Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake Tacos Fun and Easy Dessert.
Why This Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy and crunchy texture
- Perfect balance of sweet and spicy
- Ready in just 15 minutes
- Elevates any meal
What You'll Need for Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 16 oz coleslaw mix
- 1 cup chopped pickles
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Coleslaw mix: You can also shred your own cabbage and carrots.
- Pickles: Deli-style pickles work best. Avoid sweet gherkins.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Safely and quickly shreds cabbage and carrots → See on Amazon
- Sriracha — Adds authentic heat to your slaw → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, pickles, and red onion.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, mustard, Sriracha, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over slaw mixture and toss to combine.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to let flavors meld.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
- : For a milder slaw, reduce Sriracha to 1/2 tbsp or omit it.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid over-dressing the slaw. Start with half the dressing, then add more if needed. You can always add more, but you can't take it out.
- : Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and veggies separately. Store in the fridge. Combine just before serving.
- : For a creamy slaw, add more mayonnaise. For a lighter slaw, use Greek yogurt instead.
Storing & Reheating Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
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: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Freezing Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster pickling flavor, thinly slice the red onion and let it sit in the dressing for 10 minutes before combining with the slaw.
- Best substitution: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and veggies separately. Store in the fridge. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or vinegar. If it's too wet, add more cabbage or let it sit in a colander to drain excess liquid.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality mayonnaise — Makes a huge difference in the creamy texture of your slaw → Check price on Amazon
Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz coleslaw mix
- 1 cup chopped pickles
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, pickles, and red onion.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, mustard, Sriracha, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over slaw mixture and toss to combine.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to let flavors meld.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a faster pickling flavor, thinly slice the red onion and let it sit in the dressing for 10 minutes before combining with the slaw.
- Best substitution: Substitute apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and veggies separately. Store in the fridge. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your slaw is too dry, add more mayonnaise or vinegar. If it's too wet, add more cabbage or let it sit in a colander to drain excess liquid.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Prepare up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw FAQs
Yes, prepare the dressing and veggies separately. Store in the fridge. Combine just before serving.
You may have used too much cabbage or not enough dressing. Try adding more mayonnaise or vinegar next time.
No, this recipe is best made in a bowl. The air fryer is not suitable for this dish.
White vinegar or rice vinegar can be used as a substitute.
No, freezing will cause the cabbage to lose its crunch and the pickles to become mushy.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Better Than Takeout Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw 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!
