Skip to Content

25 Foods that Go Well with Coleslaw in A Sandwich

Coleslaw is the perfect partner for a sandwich.

It’s crunchy, it’s creamy, and it’s full of flavor.

what goes well with coleslaw in a sandwich

But what do you put on the sandwich to balance out all that crunch?

The best things to go with coleslaw in a sandwich are meat and cheese. You can choose from deli meats, like ham or turkey; grilled meats like chicken or beef; or even hard-boiled eggs. You can also use different types of cheeses, like cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella.

For more ideas, keep scrolling!

25 Foods that Go Well with Coleslaw in A Sandwich

coleslaw sandwich

Coleslaw has such a light and fresh taste that it pairs well with any type of sandwich filling you can think of.

Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, rich or light, meaty or vegetarian—coleslaw can handle it.

It’s also great for picky eaters because it’s so versatile—you can make it as mild or spicy as you want!

But we do have some favorite combinations:

1. Coleslaw and Egg Salad

Egg Salad

This combo is like the classic tomato sandwich but way more interesting (and healthy).

We love adding a bit of sugar to the slaw if we’re using hard-boiled eggs (to offset the saltiness), then mixing everything together with mayo and salt/pepper to taste.

The result is a colorful, creamy delight that makes breakfast an event!

2. Coleslaw and Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad

You just can’t go wrong here—the combination of sweet slaw with salty tuna is so satisfyingly balanced that this is one of our favorite lunchtime staples.

Just make sure to use light mayo so that your tuna doesn’t get too heavy!

3. Coleslaw and Bacon

Bacon

In this case, we’re talking about crispy bacon—not the stuff that comes in strips at the grocery store (yuck).

We like ours extra crispy because it adds texture to our sandwiches, but if you don’t want to deal with frying your own bacon, just sprinkle some on top instead!

4. Coleslaw and Cheese

Cheese

In this case, we recommend using a sharp cheddar cheese—the bold flavors will complement each other well while still letting each ingredient shine through on its own merits.

A little bit of mayo goes a long way here as well; just enough to hold everything together without overpowering either flavor element too much.

Finally, add some pickles for crunch and texture!

5. Coleslaw and Ham

Smoked Ham

Ham goes well with almost anything—and cole slaw is no exception!

We love adding a bit of mayo to this combo as well as some mustard to give it some bite.

You can also add some cheese if you want to take things up another notch.

6. Coleslaw and Tomato

Tomatoes

This is one of those magical matches that just works.

The tartness of both ingredients complements each other perfectly and makes them taste even better than they would separately—we swear!

It’s such an easy addition to any meal: Just toss your favorite coleslaw dressing (or buy one) with tomatoes cut into quarters or slices, season with salt and pepper if desired, then serve alongside grilled chicken or fish (or whatever else you’re craving).

7. Coleslaw and Sliced Onion

Sliced Onion

For this one, we just toss some sliced onion into your coleslaw mix before serving it up on a sammy.

The crunchy texture of the onion complements the creamy slaw nicely and adds extra flavor without overpowering anything else you might want to put in your sandwich (like mustard or ketchup).

8. Coleslaw and Pickle Slices or Pickle Relish

If you want to add a little extra crunch to your lunchtime sandwich experience, try adding some pickles to your slaw!

Pickle slices are great because they have so much flavor on their own—they don’t need much else added to them in order to make them sing!

9. Coleslaw and Grilled Chicken Breast

Grilled chicken breast

Coleslaw is great with chicken because it adds both crunch and zing without overpowering the meat’s natural flavor.

Just grill up some chicken breast, slice it thinly on an angle, then top your sandwich with slices of juicy tomato and a few leaves of lettuce before topping with a layer of coleslaw (we like ours creamy).

See Also: 10 Best Herbs and Spices for Chicken Breast

10. Coleslaw and Grilled Turkey Breast

Grilled Turkey Breast

Turkey is so often paired with mayonnaise in sandwiches, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t go for something lighter!

We love mixing our coleslaw with just enough mayo for flavor without making it too heavy on bread.

And since turkey is so lean, this is one sandwich where you don’t have to worry about your fat content!

11. Coleslaw and Avocado

Avocado

Avocados are naturally rich in nutrients and omega 3 fatty acids—so they’re good for you too!

They add a creaminess to any dish that makes it easier to digest while adding flavor at the same time (which means less calories).

Just mash up half an avocado with some creamy dressing before adding it to your next sandwich or salad!

12. Coleslaw and Tomato Salsa

Salsa

This combination is great when you want to add a little bit of sweetness to your lunchtime sandwich.

Just spread a spoonful of tomato salsa on your bread and pile on some coleslaw!

You’ll love the way the sweetness cuts through the tanginess of the coleslaw.

13. Coleslaw and Pineapple

Pineapple slices

This is one of our favorite combinations because it’s so unexpected!

The sweetness of pineapple pairs beautifully with coleslaw’s tangy flavor in a way that’s nothing short of magical.

14. Coleslaw and Cilantro

Cilantro

Cilantro is one of our favorite herbs because it adds such an amazing freshness to dishes—especially when paired with a creamy dressing like coleslaw.

The herb’s citrusy notes are brought out by the cole slaw’s tanginess, resulting in a perfectly balanced meal that will leave you wanting more!

15. Coleslaw and Corn Salad

Grilled Corn Salad

We love this combo because it’s so easy to make!

Just stir together some shredded cabbage with diced bell peppers, corn kernels, scallions, and a squeeze of lime juice in a bowl; then add salt and pepper to taste.

You can eat this salad on its own or use it as a topping for tacos or nachos.

Or just grab some bread slices and assemble the whole thing right there in front of your eyes!

16. Coleslaw and Green Salad

Green Salad

If you’re looking for something lighter but still flavorful, try pairing your coleslaw with a green salad.

The crunchy cabbage will provide a nice contrast to the soft greens in this dish.

This is also a great option if someone at your table doesn’t care for thicker dressings like ranch or Thousand Island—the milder flavor profile of this combo will play nicely with just about anything else on their plate!

17. Coleslaw and Green Beans

Green Beans

Green beans are one of the most underrated foods at the picnic table.

They’re crunchy, they taste good cold, they’re colorful—but most importantly, they’re so easy to make!

Slice them up into bite-sized pieces and toss with a little olive oil and salt before roasting in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

They’ll come out crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside—perfect for pairing with coleslaw!

18. Coleslaw and Fried Chicken

Fried chicken

 Fried chicken is a classic picnic food because it’s flavorful and finger-licking good!

You can make your own or buy it from your local grocery store—either way, it’s going to be delicious!

Just make sure you don’t forget about that coleslaw: it’ll bring all those flavors together into one delicious bite!

19. Coleslaw and Tortilla Chips

Tortilla Chips

Make your own tortilla chips by brushing corn tortillas with olive oil and sprinkling them with salt.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy—about 5-10 minutes.

These go great with slaw because they add that extra crunchy texture!

20. Coleslaw and Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

The cool thing about macaroni salad is that it’s basically just cooked macaroni mixed with mayonnaise—which means it’s fast to make (and tastes great).

  1. Just boil up some macaroni according to package directions, drain it well in your colander, then mix in enough mayonnaise until your desired consistency is reached.
  2. Add some salt and pepper (and any other ingredients you like) for more flavor!

21. Coleslaw and Potato Salad

Potato Salad

Potato salad is another food that’s perfect for summertime picnics because it doesn’t require any cooking at all!

Just combine red potatoes with chopped celery and onions, add a few tablespoons of mayonnaise or Miracle Whip and a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning, then stir everything together until you’ve got yourself a classic side dish that pairs perfectly with coleslaw!

22. Coleslaw and Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is another classic picnic food that everyone loves!

To make this delicious combo, simply boil some whole wheat pasta until it’s al dente (about 7-8 minutes), drain it well, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and let it cool completely before tossing it into a bowl with your favorite pasta salad dressing (we recommend balsamic vinaigrette).

To make this salad even more delicious, add some diced celery or red onion as well as some shredded carrots to give it some color and texture.

23. Coleslaw and BBQ chicken

BBQ chicken

To make a great sandwich, you need to have the right ingredients.

Coleslaw is one of them!

The crunchy texture of coleslaw pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken.

Just be careful when adding other ingredients to the sandwich, because coleslaw is already pretty wet and saucy by itself, so it might get soggy if you add too many things.

24. Coleslaw and Honey Mustard

Honey Mustard Sauce
Source: https://pinchofyum.com

Honey mustard is another great ingredient for sandwiches – it adds a sweet tangy flavor that complements both meats and vegetables equally well.

However, the texture can be a little too sticky for some people’s tastes – but don’t worry!

Just add some coleslaw and you’ll have a delicious combination that will keep your taste buds happy all afternoon long!

25. Coleslaw and Mango

mango

This sandwich is a great choice if you’re looking for something light but satisfying.

The sweetness of the mango and the crunchiness of the coleslaw make this a perfect pairing.

If you want to add some extra flavor, try adding some sweet chili sauce to your slaw!

coleslaw sandwich

25 Foods that Go Well with Coleslaw in A Sandwich

There are many different kinds of coleslaw and other foods that you can put in a sandwich. You can experiment with them and try different combinations to see which ones you like best.
Some people like to try different kinds of coleslaw, while others are more adventurous and want to try some of the more exotic varieties.
Others prefer to stick with what they know, but they might want to branch out with a new type of bread or meat. Experimenting with different types of food is fun because you never know what you might discover!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Sandwich
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 325 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Coleslaw and Egg Salad
  • Coleslaw and Tuna Salad
  • Coleslaw and Bacon
  • Coleslaw and Cheese
  • Coleslaw and Ham
  • Coleslaw and Tomato
  • Coleslaw and Sliced Onion
  • Coleslaw and Pickle Slices or Pickle Relish
  • Coleslaw and Grilled Chicken Breast
  • Coleslaw and Grilled Turkey Breast
  • Coleslaw and Avocado
  • Coleslaw and Tomato Salsa
  • Coleslaw and Pineapple
  • Coleslaw and Cilantro
  • Coleslaw and Corn Salad
  • Coleslaw and Green Salad
  • Coleslaw and Green Beans
  • Coleslaw and Fried Chicken
  • Coleslaw and Tortilla Chips
  • Coleslaw and Macaroni Salad
  • Coleslaw and Potato Salad
  • Coleslaw and Pasta Salad
  • Coleslaw and BBQ chicken
  • Coleslaw and Honey Mustard
  • Coleslaw and Mango

Instructions
 

  • Pick any combination from this list to use in your sandwich.
  • Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword what goes well with coleslaw in a sandwich