Fresh and bright Cilantro Lime Slaw is the perfect side dish that tastes good any time of the year.  A creamy dressing with lime, cilantro, and minced jalapeno makes it really shine! Serve at every BBQ, potluck, and family dinner. A simple coleslaw salad that will become your go-to slaw recipe all year long!

this recipe

What is Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Cilantro Lime Slaw is a delicious coleslaw made with crisp green cabbage, aromatic cilantro, spicy jalapeno, and a creamy lime dressing. The combination of punchy flavors (lime, cilantro, jalapeno) makes it very special!

While most traditional coleslaw can be stodgy and boring, Cilantro Lime Slaw is bright, tangy, and herby. The fresh herbs and the subtle heat from the jalapenos bring an exciting flavor to an otherwise classic coleslaw recipe. So does plenty of lime juice!

Crisp and crunchy, tangy and herby — I turn to Cilantro Lime Slaw whenever I need a side dish that’s fresh and full of flavor. Tastes good with grilled meat, barbecue, deep-fried food, and anything greasy or heavy. A bite of this light and crunchy slaw cuts through the fatty richness. A healthy side dish and so tasty!

For this easy coleslaw recipe, you’ll need an entire head of cabbage. Shredded cabbage provides the best texture for crisp, crunchy base. The simple dressing calls for mayo, fresh lime juice, lime zest, and sugar. Whisk together the dressing and pour on top. Simple ingredients for a vibrantly flavorful side dish.

Ingredients:

• Green Cabbage. Finely shredded, crunchy green cabbage is a key ingredient. Swap with a bag of coleslaw mix, if you like. Or purple cabbage instead of green.
• Cilantro. Also called coriander. Fresh cilantro adds aromatic, herbal freshness. Not the same without it!
• Fresh 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. Adds subtle heat and spice. Leave out the seeds if you don’t like spicy.
• Mayonnaise. Good mayo is a dressing essential for creamy, rich flavor. I use Hellman’s Mayo.
• Sugar. A little sweetness rounds out all the flavors.

How to make Lime Cilantro Slaw

1. Shred cabbage. Shred your own cabbage or buy bagged coleslaw mix. Combine cabbage, chopped cilantro and minced jalapeno to a large mixing bowl.
2. Make dressing. In a large measuring cup, combine the ingredients for the dressing. Stir with a fork until well combined.
3. Add dressing to the cabbage. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage. Toss with tongs until well combined.
4. Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy.

PRO Tips:

• Shred cabbage finely. For a crunchy cabbage slaw, shred the cabbage as finely as possible. Use a mandoline or hand-held cabbage shredder if possible.
• Adjust spice level. To make things less spicy, leave out the jalapeno seeds.
• Make in advance. Prep everything beforehand. Dress right before serving — tastes best that way.

FAQ

Serve with:

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

Serve alongside BBQ staples: jerk chicken, beef brisket, ribs, hot dogs, burgers, and fried chicken. Also tastes good with fish tacos and shrimp tacos.

Or add to your favorite taco or sandwich of choice. Some suggestions:

• Gochujang Chicken Tacos
• Korean Fried Chicken Sandwiches
• Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwiches
• Gochujang Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Crispy Fried Fish Sandwiches

More salad recipes

• Asian Slaw
• Wakame Seaweed Salad

Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw with Jalapeno

The Subversive Table | Lis Lam

Fresh and bright Cilantro Lime Slaw is the perfect side dish that tastes good any time of the year.  A creamy dressing with lime, cilantro, and minced jalapeno makes it really shine! Serve at every BBQ, potluck, and family dinner. A simple coleslaw salad that will become your go-to slaw recipe all year long!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Calories 69 kcal

Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 cups cabbage finely shredded (1 small head)
• 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
• 1-2 jalapeño minced (do not include seeds for a less spicy version)

Dressing

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup lime juice about 2-3 limes
• zest of 2 limes
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Shred cabbage. Shred your own cabbage or buy bagged coleslaw mix. Combine cabbage, chopped cilantro and minced jalapeno to a large mixing bowl.
• Make dressing. Place all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
• Add dressing. Pour the dressing over the shredded cabbage. Mix thoroughly. Add cilantro. Mix again.
• Adjust seasoning. When you are ready to serve, bring out of the fridge. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more lime juice, salt, and pepper, if needed.
• Note: 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.
• Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Tips:

• Shred the 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 0gCalories: 69kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 86mgPotassium: 108mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 159IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.3mg

Keyword Cilantro, Lime, Slaw

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