This Mexican coleslaw with cilantro lime dressing is fresh, zesty, and a surefire way to bring flavor to any meal. This take on a classic will have guests coming back for seconds and thirds.
If you are having a barbecue, you have to have coleslaw. It’s pretty much mandatory. Standard coleslaw can become mundane though, and as much as I love it, I sometimes yearn for a change. This Mexican coleslaw with cilantro lime dressing is a fresh take on a tried and true classic dish.
Pair this Mexican coleslaw recipe with any main dish and enjoy the fresh flavors that are perfect for a warm summer day. This is an easy side dish to prepare and takes hardly any time at all. The fresh ingredients compliment the tangy dressing, and you will want to pair it with all of your Mexican-inspired favorites.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- You will love the beautiful orange colors of the carrots and peppers with the greens of the cabbage and cilantro.
- The zesty, sweet dressing is absolutely delicious!
- This is an easy recipe to size up for larger gatherings.
Ingredients
This Mexican slaw needs just a handful of fresh ingredients, and the rest are all about seasoning!
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 lime, juiced (3 tbsp)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 2 cups green cabbage, finely shaven
- 2 cups carrots, grated
- 1 bell pepper, finely sliced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
Prep time – 10 minutes
Cook time – NA
Yields – 4 servings
Instructions
- In a bowl mix the honey, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, and coriander together. Then stir in half of the fresh cilantro.
- Pour the cabbage, carrots, sliced bell pepper, and cilantro into a serving bowl and toss with the dressing.
Serving Suggestions
You can really eat this dish with anything, but here are some ideas to help get your Mexican meal put together:
- Sheet-Pan Nachos: Delicious and easy to make, you will be craving a refreshing side dish to go with this kid-friendly recipe.
- Easy Mexican Cornbread Casserole: This mish mash of scrumptious Mexican flavors and cheesy, carby goodness are crying out for a Mexican coleslaw.
- Fresh Mexican-Style Salad: Beans, corn, and more fresh produce make for a fresh and healthy dish that would go beautifully with this slaw.
- Fiesta Lime Chicken: This flavor-packed protein isn’t complete without a veggie-based side dish. Marry the flavors together on the plate and you’ll wonder where this dinner has been all your life.
- Oven Baked Chicken Tacos: Another must-have if you are preparing a Mexican-inspired spread. You can’t go wrong with tacos — especially when you layer in some coleslaw for an extra crunchy, zesty kick!
FAQs
It is great to use a mandoline or a food processor with the shaving attachment on. I used a mandoline for this one and it really allows you to get very thin cabbage shavings. You can also buy pre-shaved cabbage from most markets.
Mint or parsley are great substitutes for this one. You lose a bit of the Mexican flavor, but it is tasty nonetheless.
Yes, you could add purple cabbage, or grated baby marrow instead of the peppers and carrots. Grated apple is also a yummy substitute.
How to Store Mexican Coleslaw with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Seal up any leftovers in an airtight container, like a plastic bag or Tupperware dish, and keep your coleslaw in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I would not recommend freezing this dish because the flavors and textures will be lost in the defrosting process.
Mexican Coleslaw with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 lime juiced 3 tbsp
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 2 cups green cabbage finely shaven
- 2 cups carrots grated
- 1 bell pepper finely sliced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In a bowl mix the honey, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, and coriander together. Then stir in half of the fresh cilantro.
- Pour the cabbage, carrots, sliced bell pepper, and cilantro into a serving bowl and toss with the dressing.
Notes
- If you don’t like cilantro, mint or parsley are great substitutes for this one. You lose a bit of the Mexican flavor, but it is tasty nonetheless.
- If you are having problems chopping the cabbage, use a mandoline or a food processor with the shaving attachment on. I used a mandoline for this one and it allows you to get very thin cabbage shavings. You can also buy pre-shaved cabbage from most markets.
