Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw is the crispy, tangy side dish that makes your quick dinners shine. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to keeping it crunchy. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets and Easy Spicy Shrimp Sushi Stacks.
Why This Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy cabbage and carrots stay crunchy for hours
- Tangy, sweet, and spicy dressing is addictive
- Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout, and way more fun to make
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
- 1 large carrot
- 1 small red onion
- 1 cup pickle juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Optional: Pickle slices
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- cabbage: Use a small head for easier slicing.
- pickle juice: Use the juice from your favorite store-bought pickles.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Mandoline Slicer — Slices cabbage thin and even for perfect crunch. → See on Amazon
- Vidalia Onion Chopper — Safely chops onions in seconds, no more tears. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
- Prepare the cabbage: Quarter, core, and thinly slice the cabbage. You should have about 8 cups.
- Shred the carrot: Peel and shred the carrot using a box grater or food processor.
- Chop the onion: Peel and finely chop the red onion. A food chopper can help.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sugar, celery seeds, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Mix the slaw: Add cabbage, carrot, onion, pickle juice, and apple cider vinegar to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine.
- Chill and serve: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with pickle slices and fresh parsley if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-toss the slaw or it will become soggy. Just toss until combined, then let it rest.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the vegetables ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Mix the slaw just before serving.
- Flavor boost: Add a tablespoon of pickle juice to the dressing for extra tang.
- Make-ahead tip: The slaw will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, but it's best served fresh.
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 vegetables ahead of time, mix 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, serve chilled. Microwave: Not recommended, it will lose crunch.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a milder slaw, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Best substitution: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the vegetables ahead of time and store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the slaw is too dry, add more pickle juice. If it's too wet, add more mayonnaise.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality pickles — Use the best pickles for the best flavor. These pay for themselves vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Sweet and Spicy Pickle Slaw for Quick Dinners
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 small head cabbage
- 1 large carrot
- 1 small red onion
- 1 cup pickle juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Pickle slices
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage: Quarter, core, and thinly slice the cabbage. You should have about 8 cups.
- Shred the carrot: Peel and shred the carrot using a box grater or food processor.
- Chop the onion: Peel and finely chop the red onion. A food chopper can help.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sugar, celery seeds, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Mix the slaw: Add cabbage, carrot, onion, pickle juice, and apple cider vinegar to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to combine.
- Chill and serve: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with pickle slices and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a milder slaw, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Best substitution: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the vegetables ahead of time and store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the slaw is too dry, add more pickle juice. If it's too wet, add more mayonnaise.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary, serve chilled.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended, it will lose crunch.
- Make ahead: Prepare the vegetables ahead of time, mix just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- 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
Yes, prepare the vegetables ahead of time and mix just before serving.
Over-tossing can make the slaw soggy. Just toss until combined, then let it rest.
No, this recipe is best made in a bowl and served chilled.
Greek yogurt can be used as a lighter substitute.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
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!
