Name: Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw with Jalapeno
Prep time: 20 min
Ingredients: 6 cups cabbage (finely shredded (1 small head)); 1/2 cup cilantro (chopped); 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2-3 limes); zest of 2 limes; 1 Tbsp sugar; 1 jalapeño (minced (optional)); salt and pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Fresh, bright Lime Cilantro Slaw tastes good any time of the year. Goes with everything – truly!

My go-to, one bowl, most favorite coleslaw in the world. So easy to make! Tastes great with everything — truly!

Whenever I need a fresh, bright side — a big bowl of Lime Cilantro Slaw delivers. Crispy and crunchy with a creamy dressing. Tangy + herby, a favorite basic for a reason!

Lime Cilantro Slaw tastes great stuffed into brisket and fried chicken sandwiches. And fish tacos and burgers, too! The perfect side to any grilled and barbecued meats because that light, bright, crunchy slaw cuts through all the fatty richness.

cilantro slaw in large bowl with two smaller bowls

Ingredients:

Cabbage. Finely shredded, crunchy green cabbage is a key ingredient.
Cilantro. Adds aromatic, herb-y freshness. Not the same without it!
Lime Juice + Lime Zest. You need both for acidic, zippy flavor. Adds a bright, tropical tang that’s different from the usual lemon juice.
Jalapeno. The sparkle that takes Lime Cilantro Slaw over the top. It’s really not that spicy!
Mayonnaise. Good mayo is essential. I use Hellman’s Mayo.
Sugar. A little sweetness that rounds out all the flavors.

Cooking Tips:

Shred cabbage as finely as possible. Use a mandoline if possible!
Substitute with a bag of packaged shredded cabbage to make things easier.
To make things less spicy, leave out the jalapeno seeds!
Prep everything beforehand but mix dressing right before serving — tastes best that way!

What can I serve with Lime Cilantro Slaw?

Basically, everything. Truly, this fresh, bright, crunchy slaw recipe is a staple at my table!

Tastes especially good with:

jerk chicken
beef brisket
ribs
burgers
hot dogs
fried chicken

Or stuffed into:

The secret star of the meal that everyone will love, including you!

Other sides you may enjoy:

lime cilantro coleslaw in bowl with tongs

Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw with Jalapeno

The Subversive Table | Lis Lam

Fresh, bright Lime Cilantro Slaw tastes good any time of the year. Goes with everything – truly!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 0 mins

Resting Time 1 hr

Course Salad, Side

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

6 cups cabbage finely shredded (1 small head)
1/2 cup cilantro chopped

Dressing

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup lime juice about 2-3 limes
zest of 2 limes
1 Tbsp sugar
1 jalapeño minced (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Place all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage. Mix thoroughly. Add cilantro. Mix again.
Let the coleslaw sit in the fridge (covered) for about 1 hour. During that time, the cabbage will wilt and the flavors will meld together.
When you are ready to serve, bring out of the fridge. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more lime juice, salt, and pepper, if needed.
There may be additional liquid at the bottom of the bowl. Do not be alarmed, this is quite normal. Liquid is released because of the added salt to the cabbage. To avoid this pool of liquid that collects at the bottom of your coleslaw, you can either pour it out or transfer to a clean serving bowl, leaving the additional liquid behind.

Notes

Note: Not all jalapeños are the same; some are spicier than others. You can remove the seeds from the jalapeño if you’d like a milder version, or leave it out entirely.

Also, I’ve included 15 minutes in the prep time for shredding the cabbage.

Keyword Cilantro, Lime, Slaw