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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Dolly Parton's Coleslaw Recipe

    4.89 from 17 votes
    By Luay Ghafari | Last Updated: Oct 16, 2023 | May contain affiliate links.

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    Dolly Parton's Coleslaw is a southern-style creamy coleslaw that gets the seal of approval from the queen herself. The not so secret ingredient is dill pickles and their juice. This delicious one-bowl recipe is easy to make and comes together in no time!

    coleslaw plated in a small plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why you should make this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions and variations
    • Storage
    • Serve
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recipe Card

    Why you should make this recipe

    I learned about this recipe from the Epicurious website. I was intrigued by the addition of the pickle brine and wanted to try the recipe out for myself. It is creamy, tangy, sweet, sour and delicious. I suspect the recipe itself is quite common in the southern states and can't just be attributed to Dolly Parton alone.

    • The ingredients are pantry and refrigerator staples. Nothing fancy for this coleslaw.
    • It's delicious. Serve it as a side with one of my main dishes.

    Do check out my other appetizer and salad recipe. I also have a fun winter-style slaw recipe that I think you will enjoy.

    Ingredients

    For this recipe, you will need:

    • Green or red cabbage
    • Carrots
    • Red bell peppers
    • Red onions
    • Dill pickles and their juice
    • Mayonnaise
    • White vinegar
    • Sugar
    • Salt and pepper

    See the recipe card below for the quantities.

    Instructions

    This one-bowl recipe comes together in no time.

    dressing being make in a bowl.

    Step 1. Start by mixing the dressing directly in the serving bowl. Combine mayonnaise, pickle juice, white vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar (optional).

    coleslaw in a bowl.

    Step 2. To the bowl, add the remaining ingredients (cabbage, red peppers, onions, dill pickles and carrots). Toss to combine and adjust seasoning.

    Top Tip: You can use a mandoline or box grated to make quick work of the carrots and cabbage.

    Substitutions and variations

    • This coleslaw recipe is not vegan, however, feel free to substitute mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise or even coconut yogurt.
    • The diced red onion can be replaced with scallions (green onion) for a less sharper taste.
    • Pepper. You don't need to use red bell peppers. Any sweet pepper will work in a pinch.
    • Spice it up. This Dolly Parton Coleslaw recipe can be made mild or spicy. If you like it with a little kick to it, add a few dashes of Tabasco sauce.
    • Cabbage. Try it with purple cabbage too.

    Storage

    The coleslaw should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. It is best made the day you plan to serve it, but will certainly keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    coleslaw plated in a small plate.

    Serve

    Serve this coleslaw on its own or as a side side or side salad. It's quite versatile and will pair well with vegetables, grilled or smoked meats and seafood. Try it as a side with Beer Braised Short ribs.

    Recipe FAQs

    Why is it called Dolly Parton's Coleslaw?

    This recipe appears in the Dollywood Presents Tennessee Mountain Home Cooking cookbook and is attributed to Dolly Parton herself.

    What makes Dolly Parton's Coleslaw so special?

    The addition of dill pickles AND pickle juice gives the overall recipe a sweet, tangy, sour taste balancing all the flavors.

    What is in Dolly Parton's Coleslaw recipe?

    Cabbage, red onions, carrots, red bell pepper, dill pickles and juice, mayonnaise, white vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar. See the full recipe for details and substitutions.

    If you make this recipe for Dolly Parton Coleslaw, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe.

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    Recipe Card

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    coleslaw plated in a small plate.

    Dolly Parton Coleslaw

    Luay Ghafari
    This southern-style creamy coleslaw get's the seal of approval from the Dolly Parton herself. The not so secret ingredient is dill pickles and their juice. This delicious one-bowl recipe is easy to make and comes together in no time!
    4.89 from 17 votes
    Print (Email Required) Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 279 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Dressing

    • 1 cup Mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup Pickle juice
    • ¼ cup White vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar - Optional
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Coleslaw

    • 5 cups Cabbage - Shredded
    • ½ cup Carrot - Shredded
    • ½ cup Red bell pepper - Diced
    • ½ cup Red onion - Diced
    • ½ cup Dill pickles - Diced
    • Fresh Dill - Optional

    Instructions
     

    • To a large bowl, add the dressing ingredients and whisk to combine.
    • To the same bowl, add the remaining ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

    Video

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 328mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1238IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Or Pin it!

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    Comments

    1. lin mac says

      February 04, 2023 at 5:18 pm

      How do you know this is Dolly Parton's recipe

      Reply
      • Luay says

        February 13, 2023 at 11:20 am

        I included references to this in the post above.

    2. Pat says

      February 02, 2023 at 4:49 pm

      Is there anything that could replace the mayo with? Have a child that can not stand mayo but would love the recipe…

      Reply
      • Luay says

        February 02, 2023 at 4:51 pm

        You can maybe do a mixture of sour cream and yogurt. I haven't tried it though.

    3. Aimee says

      September 04, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      This is my new favorite slaw recipe! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Luay says

        September 05, 2022 at 4:00 pm

        Glad to hear it!

    4. Kaitlyn says

      August 17, 2022 at 8:59 am

      5 stars
      So fun. Growing up we did pickle brine too!

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Luay, a cook, recipe developer, gardener, educator and photographer and this is my little slice of the web! I launched Urban Farm and Kitchen as an ode to seasonal, local, garden-to-table recipes and I look forward to continue sharing my passions with you all! More about me>


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