The Best Store-Bought Coleslaw, According to Experts

Summer is finally here! This means the picnic/barbecue/cookout switch in my brain has officially been turned on. For me, these months are all about firing up the grill, dragging out the patio furniture, and spending time with family and friends over some delicious summer food.

One mainstay on my summer menus is coleslaw. In my opinion, it’s a necessary side because it helps balance all the meat, grease, and carbs. That crunchy, tangy stuff will cut right through heavy food and help lighten the plate.

Coleslaw is also one of my least favorite barbecue components to make. It requires so much shredding, chopping, and mixing—that is, if you want to get it right. To be totally honest, it’s a side I feel like I should make but never do. However, I’m constantly disappointed by store-bought options—they tend to either taste like pure sugar or be super soggy.

Curious to see if there’s some secret brand whipping up perfect coleslaw I’ve yet to try, I reached out to two of my most trusted experts to see if they knew anything about it. Luckily, they did! In fact, both suggested I go for the very same brand.

The Coleslaw Connoisseurs

The Best Store-Bought Coleslaw, According to Experts

Both Amidor and Awada stressed that they far prefer making coleslaw from scratch, but they also acknowledged that it can take a ton of time to shred the veggies and make the dressing. So, when they opt for store-bought, they’re looking for a coleslaw that feels and tastes like homemade.

“A good coleslaw should have a nice balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy,” says Awada, noting that Reser’s is the brand that nails it every time. Amidor agrees: “This store-bought coleslaw has a nice flavor and is not overly soggy, plus, it’s loaded with crunchy veggies.”

That crunch factor is a big reason why the experts favor the brand. Awada applauds Reser’s for keeping its texture longer than others, which she attributes to veggies that aren’t shredded too finely.

But it’s not just the crunch. “I love how creamy and crunchy this brand of coleslaw is,” Awada explains, noting that it is rich and silky without being overly sweet or tangy. And the addition of celery seed makes for a truly dynamic slaw.

There’s also an added bonus: Reser’s reusable container. It’s a selling point for Amidor: “You can use it to store the remaining coleslaw after opening, that is, if there is any leftover at all.”

Reser’s can be found at most major grocery stores (including Kroger stores) in the refrigerated section, either with the fresh produce and salad kits or the prepared food.