Sweet and tangy Southern Coleslaw is nicely balanced with just enough tang from the vinegar and a sprinkling of sweetness from the sugar. The dressing is so simple, so sweet and tangy, this is a classic coleslaw recipe perfect for any occasion.
Coleslaw for Pulled Pork
This is the coleslaw we use for the ever-popular BBQ Sundaes and Pulled Pork Sandwiches. When I make BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese, I make a batch of this coleslaw to serve with it every time. We love it that much!
I made this coleslaw recipe for the first time, at my husband’s request, along with the first batch of Memphis Style Ribs we ever cooked. We all loved it so much; I wound up making this slaw twice more with each subsequent batch of ribs.
Updated to add: I’ve been making this coleslaw at least once a month for the past six years. Every time someone tastes it (especially if said person is not already a fan of coleslaw) they ask for the recipe. This is the coleslaw that you’ll want to serve all summer long.
Southern Coleslaw Recipe
If you’ve never made coleslaw before, let me share a secret: it’s the easiest side dish in the world. (Check out the video to see just how easy it is to make it!)
I found this Southern Living recipe for Memphis Style Coleslaw over at Our Best Bites and gently adapted our version from that one. It takes about 3 minutes to stir it all together and then you’re done.
(Even if you shred your own cabbage instead of buying a bag of shredded cabbage, you’re only looking at maybe two minutes longer.)
It couldn’t be any quicker and easier to pull this tasty side dish together. Even grabbing a container of ready-made coleslaw from the grocery store takes longer than this coleslaw recipe.
Let me tell you, that homemade coleslaw is so much better than anything you can get from the deli section at your grocery store. Crunchy crisp shredded cabbage with creamy mayo and tangy mustard makes the ideal complement to so many savory main dishes.
When we all happily eat the same dish three times in a week, that’s good evidence that the recipe was loved. Last night, I piled the last of this slaw over pulled pork sandwiches and pretty much solidified the fact that this the best southern style coleslaw I’ve ever tasted.
If you had a bad experience with a soggy, sloppy coleslaw that’s left you avoiding this side dish for years, now is the chance to discover how delicious great coleslaw can be. And if you’re an avid coleslaw fan already, be prepared to add a new favorite slaw recipe to the top of your list.
What To Eat with Coleslaw
This slaw is guaranteed to forever change how you serve pulled pork. The BBQ Sundaes I linked to earlier are still one of my favorite meals of all time. I promise you this is the BEST coleslaw to serve with pulled pork.
If you know me at all you know I don’t kid around when it comes to pulled pork. From Sweet and Tangy Pulled Pork to Pulled Pork Tacos, I don’t mess around when it comes to this southern dish.
I serve this southern coleslaw with Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos, Beer and Garlic Grilled Chicken, Pulled Pork Tacos and Tostadas, and so much more. Classic Southern Style Coleslaw is truly the ultimate side dish.
Another fun way to eat coleslaw is to pile the slaw on top of BBQ Chicken Nachos for an unforgettable treat.
For more slaw ideas, check out this Sweet and Spicy Apple Coleslaw. That apple slaw gets rave reviews every single time I take it anywhere.
This Sriracha Coleslaw (for an unexpected spicy twist) and this Spicy Cabbage (for a lighter side dish perfect for tacos and snacking) are both winners.
I’m looking forward to trying Caribbean Coleslaw by A Spicy Perspective and Bacon Bleu Cheese Coleslaw by Taste and Tell later this summer as well.
You might also like this Sweet and Tangy Broccoli Slaw for a different take on a slaw recipe. We love traditional coleslaws with cabbage but sometimes it’s nice to mix it up!
Coleslaw Recipe
This slaw recipe, though? This tops the list as my all-time favorite. It’s a southern coleslaw without too many bells and whistles. What makes it so good is the exact right balance of creamy mayo, crunchy cabbage and vinegary tang.
Simply seasoned with celery seeds and onion powder (or grated onion, if you prefer) this classic coleslaw recipe is loved by everyone who tastes it. Even people who don’t usually like coleslaw enjoy this dish!
We love this coleslaw with pulled pork but it’s also delicious as a side dish with Perfect Pan-Fried Chicken Thighs, Oven Broiled Chicken with Barbecue Sauce, Filthy Burgers, and almost any meat entree I can think of.
How To Make Coleslaw
- In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion powder, and celery seeds.
- Add the shredded cabbage and toss or stir until well coated.
- Refrigerate for an hour before serving and up to 2 days. (I like to use these tongs to toss again right before serving.)
The refrigeration step not only chills the coleslaw but gives all those lovely flavors a chance to mingle and marry together.
This coleslaw is the ideal side dish but I’ve been known to catch more than one picnic-goer eating it straight from the container with a fork!
And if you haven’t yet tried the above BBQ Sundaes piled high with pulled pork, baked beans, and tangy coleslaw, you’re missing out!
You might even want to double the recipe if you’re hoping to have any leftovers to bring home. Memphis-style coleslaw is just that good.
Looking for more southern-inspired recipes to complete your next barbecue? Everyone loves Corn Pudding Casserole and these Slow Cooker Baked Beans served alongside grilled or barbecued meat.
Southern Peach Cobbler topped with a scoop of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream makes any meal complete.
Classic Memphis-Style Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or 1 tablespoon finely grated onion
- 2 teaspoons celery seeds
- 1 16 ounce bag of coleslaw mix plain cabbage or tri-color deli style
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion powder, and celery seeds. Add the shredded cabbage and toss until well coated. Refrigerate for an hour before serving and up to 2 days. Toss again right before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 5/30/14 – recipe notes updated 5/27/22}
Becki's Whole Life says
I'm so happy you put your coleslaw on your pulled pork sandwich:-). That is such a North Carolina thing to do and now that I have had it like that I can't eat a BBQ sandwich without coleslaw. I like the tanginess in this recipe – I think that makes perfect coleslaw!
Kim Honeycutt says
I'm also a North Carolina gal who loves coleslaw! On a chopped barbecue sandwich, a juicy hamburger, a messy "Sloppy Joe" or with a bowl of pinto beans even. That's just a small example of what I have slaw with…the list goes on!! Thanks for this version!! Pinning it!
Anonymous says
I made this last night and it was amazing! Perfectly tangy!
Franki says
Just made this and was great!
Carm says
Tried this today it was amazing!
Anonymous says
I think that this sounds amazing … however … because of a medical condition, I cannot ingest any type of seed. If there something that can be used in place of the celery seed?
Mary says
You could substitute 2-3 tablespoons of finely minced celery leaves. The result will not be exactly the same, but it is still really good!
Anonymous says
Celery salt and leave out the salt
Laurel says
Loved it! Did substitute splenda for the sugar ,used Dukes mayo (it has a tarter taste and 1tbsp cider vinegar more.
kerry says
I made your Memphis coleslaw this past weekend and we all loved it.
Anonymous says
Make this coleslaw all the time. From Corky's BBQ in Memphis! So good on pulled pork!
Anonymous says
We threw a big party this weekend with pulled pork and this slaw. I had several people come up to me and comment how they normally don't like slaw but LOVED this recipe. It multiplies well for larger batches too! Definitely a recipe worth trying, sharing, and holding on to!!
Anonymous says
Made this yesterday. Best slaw we have ever eaten! Will be making this from now on! No more store bought! Great job!
Angie says
I didn't know what do use my last head of cabbage on, found this delicious recipe. NUMMY thank you for sharing!
Anonymous says
Yup, really is the best I've ever had. Used celery salt instead of seed and added black pepper. Yum.
Kristin says
I have made this recipe so many times and my husband and I still love it. He claims it's the best coleslaw he's ever had. Great recipe all around!
Evelyn says
This is an amazing cole slaw recipe. Always know it will be a hit anywhere I serve it. Has my families vote as the best cole slaw ever.
Mum H says
I just made this for a second time since finding it. I thought the coleslaw mix I bought looked sort of pale so I also bought a bag of broccoli slaw mix and then made 1 1/2 batch of the dressing. It was the perfect amount of dressing and the mix looks so much more appetizing with the darker green color mixed in. Did not affect the taste at all!
Kalyn Denny says
Sounds delicious. I am a huge cabbage fan, so I love every coleslaw ever created! Thanks for the shout-out!
Nicole says
I have been looking for a coleslaw recipe for a long time now and I'm SO glad I found this one! I pretty much followed the recipe except I only added 1 1/2 tbs of sugar and a pinch of salt. I love this recipe!!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Unknown says
Came across this on Pinterest. What brand of mayo do you use?
Mary says
I use Best Foods, but you can use whichever mayo you like best.
Unknown says
I do something similar for my pulled pork sandwiches but I add a can of crushed pineapple… it is OFF THE HOOK delish!
Tiffany McManus says
I just made this and it's delicious! Thank you for sharing!!