Why You’ll Love this Sweet Pickle Juice Coleslaw
Coleslaw lovers, I’ve found the secret ingredient that transforms ordinary cabbage into something magical—sweet pickle juice! This isn’t your average, boring side dish. The tangy-sweet brine cuts through the richness of the mayo while adding depth that vinegar alone just can’t match.
What makes this recipe special? It’s the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy. The bread and butter pickle juice brings a nostalgic flavor that’ll remind you of summer picnics and family gatherings. Plus, it comes together in minutes with ingredients you probably already have. No special equipment needed, just a humble head of cabbage and a jar of pickles.
What Ingredients are in Sweet Pickle Juice Coleslaw?
To make this delightful Sweet Pickle Juice Coleslaw, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients that work together to create that perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet and tangy. The star of the show is definitely the bread and butter pickle juice, which adds a unique flavor dimension that regular vinegar just can’t match. It’s what transforms this from an ordinary side dish into something your family will request again and again.
- 1 head cabbage, shredded
- 3 carrots, grated
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons bread & butter pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters but doesn’t need to be fancy. A fresh, firm head of cabbage works best—green is traditional, but you could mix in some purple cabbage for color if you’re feeling creative. For the mayo, use whatever brand you prefer, though full-fat varieties tend to give a richer flavor. And don’t even think about substituting the bread & butter pickle juice with dill pickle brine! The sweetness is key to the recipe’s special character. You can adjust the sugar to taste, depending on how sweet your pickle juice already is.
How to Make this Sweet Pickle Juice Coleslaw
Making this coleslaw couldn’t be simpler, which is part of its charm. We’re talking about a recipe that gives you maximum flavor with minimal effort—my kind of cooking, honestly.
Start by prepping your vegetables: shred 1 head of cabbage and grate 3 carrots, then place them together in a large bowl. I find using a food processor with the shredding attachment makes quick work of this task, but a box grater or even a sharp knife works perfectly fine if you don’t mind a little arm workout.
Now for the dressing, which is where the magic happens. In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 4 tablespoons of bread & butter pickle juice (that’s the secret ingredient that makes people ask for your recipe), and 2 tablespoons sugar. Mix these ingredients until they’re smooth and well incorporated.
The pickle juice gives it that tangy-sweet flavor that’s impossible to achieve with just vinegar, and the sugar balances everything out beautifully. Pour this dressing over your cabbage and carrot mixture, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good toss until all the vegetables are evenly coated.
For the best flavor development, cover your coleslaw and refrigerate it for about an hour before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together and the cabbage to soften slightly while still maintaining its crunch.
The result? A perfectly balanced coleslaw that’s creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy all at once. It’s one of those sides that disappears quickly at potlucks, and folks who normally pass on coleslaw often come back for seconds.
Sweet Pickle Juice Coleslaw Substitutions and Variations
While this recipe is delightful as written, there’s plenty of room to play with substitutions and variations that can transform this humble coleslaw into something truly personalized.
Don’t have bread & butter pickle juice? Dill pickle brine works in a pinch, though you might want to add an extra pinch of sugar.
Red cabbage creates a stunning purple slaw, and adding thinly sliced apples or jicama brings unexpected crunch.
For a tangier profile, try swapping half the mayo for Greek yogurt or sour cream.
My mother-in-law adds celery seeds and minced onion, which gives it this wonderful depth.
Want something spicier? A dash of hot sauce wakes everything up.
What to Serve with Sweet Pickle Juice Coleslaw
This tangy-sweet pickle juice coleslaw pairs beautifully with almost any summer barbecue favorite you can imagine.
I love piling it high on pulled pork sandwiches where the creamy crunch balances the rich meat perfectly.
It’s also my go-to side for fried chicken, grilled brats, or a classic burger.
The pickle juice adds that special something that cuts through fatty dishes like a charm.
For potlucks, I place it next to baked beans and cornbread, creating that ideal comfort food trifecta.
Truth is, I’ve never met a protein it didn’t complement—fish tacos, anyone?
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve tried this sweet pickle juice coleslaw recipe, I’m certain it’ll become a staple in your summer cooking rotation.
The magic truly happens when that pickle juice meets mayo and sugar, creating a perfect balance of tangy and sweet.
What I love most is how adaptable this recipe is.
Need more crunch? Add some bell peppers. Prefer it creamier? Toss in extra mayo.
The beauty lies in its simplicity.
