This keto coleslaw recipe has extra flavor and crunch from the addition of dill pickles! This easy low carb side is super tangy and has only 3.6g net carbs per serving. Your family and friends will love it!
For years, readers have been asking me to post a recipe for keto coleslaw and I’ve always resisted. It’s not that I don’t like coleslaw, it’s just that I think of it as a bit boring. It’s just shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, and seasoning. We usually just toss these things together without measuring, and adjust to taste.
But this Dill Pickle Coleslaw is anything but boring and I may never make it any other way again. The flavor is so tangy, the salad is so crunchy, and the whole thing just lights up in your mouth.
It goes so well with all my favorite summer sides, from Dry Rub Keto Ribs to Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs. Now this is a coleslaw recipe I can get behind. Get it on your menu today, you won’t regret it.
Why you must try this recipe
Coleslaw is pretty keto-friendly from the get-go as long as you make it yourself. Some recipes and restaurants add sugar, which seems utterly unnecessary to me. And some conventional version have other higher carb additions like carrot or too much onion.
This Dill Pickle Slaw uses red radish for a pop of color and green onion to keep the carbs down. It takes plenty of chopped dill pickle along with a little pickle juice. Fresh garlic and dill round out the flavor profile.
It’s incredibly easy to make, so fresh and crunchy, and it lasts well in the fridge for up to 5 days. It doesn’t even lose much of the crunch while it sits!
Best of all, it has less than 6g total carbs per serving. So you can load up your plate and feel good about it.
Ingredients you need
- Cabbage: You can use pre-shredded cabbage or shred your own from a head of cabbage. If you have leftover cabbage, you can make Keto Pad Thai or my keto reuben casserole.
- Dill pickles: I used my own homemade refrigerator pickles, but any dills will do!
- Green onion: Scallions add a bit of bite and visual appeal.
- Red radish: These low carb veggies add color and crunch.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best for flavor, but you could sub in with powdered garlic if absolutely necessary.
- Fresh dill: Dried dill can be used in a pinch and you will only want half the amount. But fresh dill is key to making really good flavorful dressing.
- Mayonnaise: Be sure to read the labels on your favorite mayonnaise. Choose one that doesn’t add sugar or other sweeteners that increase the carb count.
- Pickle juice: A little brine from the pickles adds additional flavor. It also thins out the sauce so you don’t have to add as much mayonnaise.
- Dijon mustard: This brings out the tanginess.
- Salt and pepper
Step by Step Directions
1. Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cabbage, pickles, onion, radish, garlic, and dill. Toss to combine.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, and mustard until well combined. Pour over the cabbage mixture and mix well.
3. Chill: Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Tips for Success
Go sparingly on the salt and make sure you taste the coleslaw before adding it. The pickles and juice have plenty of salt as it is and draw out moisture from the cabbage. Add additional seasoning just before serving.
Check your pickles for any added sugars. Most dill varieties aren’t made with sugar but a few do add sugar as preservatives.
Save the brine from your jars of pickles because it’s useful stuff! You can use it to make things like this keto coleslaw, but it’s also great for brining meats. Use it for Pickle Brined Chicken Wings or the juiciest Grilled Pork Chops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conventional coleslaw recipes can have added sugars and other high carb additions. The best way to be sure safe is to make your own keto coleslaw. This dill pickle coleslaw recipe has no added sugar and is super flavorful and crunchy!
This keto coleslaw recipe has 5.8g of carbs and 2.2g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.6g net carbs per serving.
Yes! Radishes are low in carbs and appropriate for keto diets. One medium radish has only 0.2g of carbs where half of that is fiber. Radishes come in different varieties, where some offer a bit more spice and bite than others. So enjoy!
More summer salads to love
Keto Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (453.59 g) shredded cabbage
- 3/4 cup (107.25 g) chopped dill pickles
- 2 medium green onion, thinly sliced
- 4 medium red radish, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 cup (112 g) mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp (45 g) pickle juice
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the cabbage, pickles, onion, radish, garlic, and dill. Toss to combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, and mustard until well combined. Pour over the cabbage mixture and mix well.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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Great with fish tacos! Very flavorful and tasty. Your recipes are the best!
Thank you!
The hubs loves coleslaw so I’m going to give this one a try. He also loves radishes but I’ve found that every time I add them, they “bleed” red, so I think I might try getting all the red skin off before I chop them up. Wish me luck! LOL!
Sure!
I make this every week. I add cashews or walnuts to it. Yum
Thanks!
If you don’t eat mayonnaise, could you substitute either sour cream or plain Greek yogurt?
Yes, I use greek yogurt and it is delicious.
This recipe is simple yet the flavors are anything but! So delicious and flavorful! It’s become a favorite for our summer side dishes. (I didn’t have radishes on hand and still loved it)
This is the best coleslaw I have ever had! I like to double the veggies just because!
Very tasty loved the dill pickles
Made this for a family bbq, everyone loved it! Great change from the many too sweet coleslaw recipes.
Delicious, hubby approved.
This is an awesome recipe. Great flavor and taste
Caroline’s recipes never let me down! I never thought of putting pickles in slaw before, and minced radishes? Come on! But they add an extra layer of flavor that sets this recipe apart from the others. Instead of shredded cabbage, I always pulse cabbage in my blender when I make coleslaw, but that’s the only thing that I’d change.
An unusual twist— delicious!
This coleslaw was a delightful change of pace AND was delicious. I’d never thought of adding Dill pickles but it’s really good. Will be a fun recipe for potlucks this summer.
Excellent coleslaw! Easy & lots of flavor!