This Keto Coleslaw is the perfect side dish you've been looking for! This easy, low carb recipe uses simple seasonings and will be the hit of any summer cookout!
One of my favorite meals ever is BBQ pulled pork with coleslaw. This is a very simple meal to make keto with just a few easy swaps. I use sugar free BBQ sauce for my pulled pork, and I follow this super easy 4 ingredient keto coleslaw recipe.
This recipe comes together really quickly but if you have made homemade coleslaw before, you know that it only gets better if it gets time to marinate for a little bit after first mixing it all together. Then I like to serve it with any kind of BBQ, a side to my Air Fryer Whole Chicken, Steak Tips, or keto salmon.
Is coleslaw keto?
When it comes to store bought or restaurant style coleslaw (like KFC coleslaw)...it would not be keto friendly. That is because they use a lot of sugar in their coleslaw dressing. This keto coleslaw is very similar to any recipe out there, but we use a sugar free sweetener instead of sugar. This simple swap saves so may carbs!
How may carbs are in coleslaw?
This would vary depending on which dressing is used and which restaurant you get your slaw from. Most coleslaws are going to be 15 to 20 carbs per serving.
This keto version of coleslaw is only 5 total carbs! The carbs come from the cabbage which is definitely an essential ingredients.
Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this keto coleslaw recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For a printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
I am a big lover of coleslaw, especially with BBQ pulled pork! I'm not sure how your family makes theirs, but my family uses simple ingredients like slaw mix (or shredded cabbage), mayonnaise, a little sweetener, salt and pepper...and pickle juice!
16 ounces shredded cabbage (454g) - I like to use a slaw mix from the grocery store produce section when I am not in the mood to shred my own cabbage. This mix usually has some shredded carrot in it as well or it could have purple cabbage. You can also buy a head of green cabbage and shred it yourself very easily with a knife or a food processor.
½ cup mayonnaise (112g) - The creaminess we have come to love from coleslaw is usually attributed to the mayonnaise.
1 tablespoon sugar free sweetener (12g) - Most coleslaw recipes use some for of sweetener to balance out the flavors. I like to use a sugar free version for this keto recipe. My favorite is Lakanto because it has the best flavor.
¼ cup dill pickle juice (59mL) - This ingredient might surprise you but it is so good in this keto coleslaw recipe! I think it combined with the other ingredients makes the perfect keto coleslaw dressing. Don't knock it until you try it!
Salt and pepper to taste
How to make this keto coleslaw recipe
This section explains how to make this keto coleslaw, step by step. For a full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1 - If you didn't buy pre-shredded cabbage, go ahead and shred your cabbage using either a sharp knife or a food processor. Some people like really finely shredded cabbage so if that is you, you may want to shred it yourself. It is also much cheaper to DIY this part!
Step 2 - Add you cabbage to a large mixing bowl, followed by the mayonnaise, sweetener, and pickle juice.
Step 3 - Mix the ingredients well and then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Storage Instructions
This keto coleslaw recipe doesn't really last longer than 24 hours in an airtight container in the refrigerator unless you can revive it with leftover shredded cabbage. If I want to eat some leftover the next day, I simply add more cabbage because there is usually a little pool of dressing at the bottom of the bowl.
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Keto Coleslaw Recipe with a secret ingredient!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Shredded cabbage (see notes)
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon Granular Sweetener (Click here to see my favorite on Amazon)
- ¼ cup dill pickle juice
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix well.
- Adjust seasonings to taste.
Jennifer's tips
- You can use pre-shredded cabbage from a bag or you can buy a head of cabbage and shred it yourself.
- Taste for seasonings: If you find it tastes too mayonnaise, add more pickle juice or you could add vinegar if you like.
- Storage Instructions This keto Cole slaw recipe doesn't really last longer than 24 hours in an airtight container in the refrigerator unless you can revive it with leftover shredded cabbage. If I want to eat some leftover the next day, I simply add more cabbage because there is usually a little pool of dressing at the bottom of the bowl.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Barbi says
I will try this but I don't use sugar at all with my slaw. I use the mayonnaise with a bit of apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
Maggie says
I used red cabbage and shredded carrots, added green onion, and swapped pickle juice with banana pepper juice and a little of the peppers too! So so so GOOD!!
Naydine says
Just made this to go with Ribs. I followed directions almost exactly just substituted sweetener with sugar free maple syrup. This will be made often. We love it!!
Dwan Davis says
This recipe seems easy to follow and takes only a short time to prepare. I have not made it, but my concern would be the sodium in the pickle juice. Is it possible to just use apple cider vinegar?
jenniferbanz says
Sure!
Kathy says
Jennifer, this coleslaw is delicious. This is my second time making it and it is so easy. I used the prepackaged cabbage mix. I will only make it this way from now on.
Leslie says
What kind of pickle juice? Dill, sweet, bread and butter?
jenniferbanz says
Dill
Bari says
I usually don’t like coleslaw but this one is the best! The pickle juice is what makes it so tasty. I love it with pulled pork bbq.
Jessica says
what is the serving size? This is the best coleslaw recipe I’ve ever had and I hate pickles!!
jenniferbanz says
It makes 6 servings
Amanda says
Super yummy!! So simple. I will make this over and over again! My new go to keto coleslaw recipe. Thank you!!
Angie says
Loved this and it’s super easy to make!
Wendy Finney says
This is a keeper recipe. It is so good. I actually pored a just a little bit of apple cider vinegar into to the measuring cup and filled the rest of the way with pickle juice.
Erika says
This is a fantastic coleslaw recipe!
Irina says
Made it last night. We really loved this version of coleslaw recipe. Well, my family was asking for more... I should make it again tonight. Tasty and delicious!
Alisa Infanti says
This coleslaw recipe is awesome. I served it on some turkey burgers last night and it was a huge hit!
Pam Greer says
Oh my gosh, I can't believe I've never included pickle juice in my cole slaw! What a great idea!
Heidy L. McCallum says
Keto recipes have become so popular and now I can see why this coleslaw looks amazing and I think I might make this for a side one night this week.