Coleslaw Recipe For Pulled Pork

The best side dish to go with your delicious, flavorful pulled pork is this coleslaw recipe for pulled pork. Crunchy with cabbage, sweet with carrots and the tang of cream and creamy dressing make for a bite that picks up any aftertaste imparted by too many bites of whole-flavored smoky pork. The creamy mayo-based dressing with a hint of vinegar and sugar is the perfect compliment to the savory; tender pulled pork every time you take your first bite.

Whether you’re serving your pulled pork on sandwiches, tacos, or as part of a platter, this coleslaw adds the ideal crunch and flavor. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, this coleslaw recipe for pulled pork is a must-try for your next BBQ or family meal!

Table of Contents

Origins of Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork

Coleslaw has roots deep in history, hailing all the way back to ancient Rome, where cabbage was prepared with eggs and vinegar. We have made it this way since the 18th century in America (courtesy of the addition of mayonnaise as a dressing for salad). Still, the first known recipe for chicken and mayonnaise was published in 1705, over one hundred and fifty years after de Cussy.
Coleslaw is a versatile dish in the food world but has cemented its place as one of the staple side dishes at BBQs and pulled pork sandwiches. Coleslaw, with its incredible, creamy texture and vinegary dressing, can really get all of those smoky yet savory pulled pork flavors to balance out nicely, which is why it is the traditional partner for BBQ joints nationwide. Whether it is served as a side or put on the sandwich, slaw adds that tanginess that just complements what you like in your mouth.

Why Homemade Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork is Perfect

Ideally, it would help if you prepared this coleslaw recipe for pulled pork so that you can adjust the flavor profile and texture to your liking. The pre-packaged kind of coleslaw found in the grocery store is full of preservatives and sugar to keep it fresh, which ultimately takes away from all that freshness you’re aiming for. Instead, make it at home where you can perfect your own version — adjust the thickness and creaminess to suit your palate or try different veggies or spices.
It also lets you control what goes into it. It uses fresh vegetables like crunchy cabbage and grated carrots with a super easy dressing made with mayonnaise, vinegar and a touch of sugar for flavor. The end product is a wonderfully crispy, silky slaw that only adds to your pulled pork rather than detracts from it. It is also cheap, and you can make it to feed the whole crowd at your next BBQ or family get-together.

Keys for the Best Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork

To make the best coleslaw recipe for pulled pork, there are a few key tips to follow:

1. Fresh Cabbage: First to be pounded or is a nuisance to flavor and texture. Green cabbage is the traditional option, but you can also use red cabbage for extra color and a slightly spicy flavor.
2. Properly Shred the Veggies: To make a perfect coleslaw, we need to shred carrots and cabbage finely so that the dressing coats the vegetables evenly. A mandoline slicer is the best for making thin, uniform slices, but a super-sharp knife will do.
3. Sweet and Zesty Dressing: This dressing should have a sweet, zesty flavor. Mix mayo for creaminess, apple cider vinegar for tang, and a sprinkle of sugar or honey for sweetness. Taste and adjust the balance now.
4. Spice it up: Salt, black pepper, and if you want to be fancy, some but not all because then the coleslaw is just like every other coleslaw celery seeds or mustard powder. It is these small details that can give the dish an incredible appetizing outlook.
5. Let it Chill: After mixing the coleslaw, let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cabbage to soften slightly, creating a better texture.

Health Benefits of Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork

The main ingredients in coleslaw — cabbage, carrots, and the dressing — each offer nutritional benefits that can support a healthy diet when eaten in moderation.

Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork From OoohDelish!

Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork

This coleslaw recipe for pulled pork is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and crunchy flavors that complement the richness of pulled pork. Whether you serve it on the side or pile it on top of your pulled pork sandwich, this coleslaw is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Sharp knife or mandoline slicer
• Grater (for carrots)
• Measuring spoons
• Whisk – for mixing the dressing
• Serving bowl

Ingredients

  

• For the Coleslaw:
• 1 medium green cabbage shredded
• 2 medium carrots grated
• 1 small red onion finely chopped (optional)
• For the Dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar adjust to taste
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard optional
• 1/2 tsp celery seeds optional
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice optional

Instructions

 

Prepare the Vegetables:

• Thinly slice the green cabbage and add it to a large mixing bowl.
• If using, peel and then coarsely grate the carrots with a box grater; finely chop any of the red onion you have on hand. Add them to the cabbage.

Make the Dressing:

• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, celery seeds (if using), black pepper and lemon juice/ zest until smooth.

Combine:

• Add the shredded cabbage and carrots into a large bowl and drizzle with dressing. Mix and toss everything so that it is evenly coated.

Chill:

• Refrigerate the coleslaw, covered, for at least 30 minutes before serving. Same with the taste of flavors and softening in the cabbage.

Serve:

• You may also store it in the fridge and serve it chilled next to your pulled pork on the day off. Otherwise, serve it with the pulled pork as a side or plop it right on top for added crunch and flavor.

Notes

Make Ahead: Coleslaw actually gets better after sitting for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. This allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften.
Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your preference, you can adjust the level of sweetness by adding more or less honey or sugar.
Add-ins: Feel free to add other ingredients to customize your coleslaw. Some options include apple slices, raisins, jalapeños for a spicy kick, or even some fresh herbs like cilantro.
Lighter Version: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half or all of the mayo to cut calories and fat without sacrificing creaminess.

Keyword Coleslaw for pulled pork sandwich, Easy coleslaw recipe for BBQ, Pulled pork coleslaw recipe

Is the Coleslaw Recipe Healthy?

Well, it’s certainly far from bad for you with all fresh ingredients.. and a basic “balance ratio” of a coleslaw dressing… so yes, in this case, I would consider this pulled pork coleslaw recipe pretty healthy. The cabbage adds an enormous amount of fiber and vitamins, along with the carrots, which are chockful of minerals. Other health benefits to be had from this dish include regular bowel movements. Vinegar and mayonnaise in moderation will also aid the digestion process and improve overall heart health.
You could make it a bit healthier by using low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt as your base dressing for less calories and fat. Ge eternally the sugar or use a natural sweetener such as honey for this and make it low in sugars as well.
But keep an eye on your portion sizes and total calories—especially if you’re going for a low-calorie diet, as traditional coleslaw dressings can be high in fat and sugar.

Coleslaw Recipe for Pulled Pork: Weight Loss or Weight Gain?

• Weight Loss: When eaten responsibly as a side, the pulled pork coleslaw recipe may transform into a slimming solution for those trying to lose weight. The high-fiber cabbage and carrots help keep you satisfied, so controlling portion sizes is easy. A touch of dressing (we like to use a Greek yogurt version) means lower calories in the end. However, be mindful of the sugar and mayonnaise in the traditional recipe, as they can contribute to excess calories if consumed in large amounts.
• Weight Gain: If you are trying to gain muscle weight, the classic recipe needed for this pulled pork homemade coleslaw is an excellent choice and even better if you enhance the mayonnaise or add healthy fats like avocado to your salad. This can help to boost total vocal intake, especially if you eat it with a larger serving of pulled pork or add more calories in other ways — such as bread rolls or potato salad.

References

Calories in Coleslaw – Nutritionix

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