Name: Coleslaw with Spicy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 450g / 16oz coleslaw mix (or 1/2 head of white cabbage cabbage, shredded); 20g / 1/2 cup cilantro (chopped); 1 jalapeño (chopped); 1 lime (juice only); 125g / 1/2 cup plain yogurt (low fat or full fat); 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 1 tsp cumin; 1 clove garlic (small); salt to taste

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Taco-friendly spicy cilantro lime slaw is the side that goes with any Mexican main and is ready in 10 minutes. Slice your own crunchy vegetables, or use a cheeky kitchen hack like I did.

Classic coleslaw is an all-round crowd-pleaser and a safe option for the spice-shy! Or try rainbow slaw with tahini dressing if you’re after more colour on your plate.

Close up of slaw in a bowl on a wooden background, next to a colourful plate with a lime half.

I literally designed cilantro lime coleslaw for tacos, fish tacos to be exact. Blackened fish tacos with cilantro slaw has been on my blog for years and I found that I was constantly referring readers to it not just for the tacos themselves, but for the go-with-anything coleslaw.

So, it was about time the recipe got a refresh and its own page under the spotlight.

Busy home cooks love coleslaw. It’s crazy versatile and an easy way to sneak vegetables in under the radar if you have picky eaters at the table. Need something quick and well-disguised to go with a burger or hotdog? Coleslaw. Or with a cheese toastie or ham sandwich? Coleslaw.

And by simply adding herbs, spices, juice or zest to a coleslaw mix you get a quick and highly complementary side dish. Need a bit more guidance? Read on…

Coleslaw in a bowl next to a small plate with lime halves and a juicer on a wooden background.

Cilantro lime slaw

This lightly customised coleslaw for tacos makes use of a cheeky coleslaw mix. That is basically the vegetable shredding done for you! So convenient!

To build on that base, I’ve included a few signature Mexican flavours to keep with the taco theme; soapy fresh cilantro and jalapeños for heat. The two bright greens bring a welcome pop of colour too.

You have to add your own slaw dressing to a coleslaw mix, which actually suits me fine! I find pre-made coleslaw contains too much mayo and vinegar for my liking anyway. My own coleslaw recipe mixes mayonnaise and yoghurt for a more savoury flavour.

This spicy coleslaw version includes ground cumin for earthiness and warmth (a note usually found in a taco mix too), freshly grated garlic which also brings a little nose-tingling fire, and lime juice for zesty freshness.

The combination is creamy, refreshing, and gently spiced. It will bring a little lubrication to a drier taco filling and add bonus vegetables to any meals that need it.

Important recipe tips and notes

Using a coleslaw mix is not cheating. It’s timesaving! But feel free to slice your own cabbage if you want to.
Just slice it as thin as possible- use a This is an affiliate link.mandoline if you have one.
Including red cabbage will give peppery notes and vibrant colour.
Be conservative with the garlic. One raw clove is enough here.
If you must, use garlic powder to supplement as it’s more subtle.

A three panel collage showing the preparation of the coleslaw in a mixing bowl.

What goes with it

My cilantro lime slaw, also known as fish taco slaw, has been my go-to fish taco side for EVER! Its cilantro lime dressing is a refreshing uplift; a perfect match for a soft taco and mild white fish. However, there are multiple recipes that could benefit from its crisp and zingy properties. Here are my top five:

Asian pulled pork sandwiches, yes, the jalapenos will work here too!
Pork and cheese quesadillas, the zesty slaw really cuts through the melted cheese.
Chicken chilaquiles welcomes the creamy yoghurt dressing.
Chicken satay with peanut sauce with a slaw sidemakes a satisfying and light no-carb lunch.
Lentil and butternut squash chilli or any chilli for that matter! The lime and
jalapeño will brighten the signature smoke, and the cabbage add crunch.

Storage and leftovers

This spicy coleslaw will keep in an This is an affiliate link.airtight container for 3-4 days. The flavours will develop in that time so it will be even punchier the second time around!

More sides for tacos

Coleslaw with Spicy Cilantro Lime Dressing

By Julia Frey of Vikalinka

Prep: 10

Total: 10

Servings:

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A taco-ready slaw with a zippy dressing that goes with any Mexican main dish.

Equipment

This is an affiliate link.Mandoline
This is an affiliate link.Lemon squeezer

Ingredients

▢ 450g / 16oz coleslaw mix, or 1/2 head of white cabbage cabbage, shredded
▢ 20g / 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
▢ 1 jalapeño, chopped

Instructions

Make the dressing by combining the yogurt, mayonnaise, cumin, lime juice, grated garlic and salt to taste in a large bowl.
To the same bowl add the coleslaw mix, chopped cilantro and chopped jalapeño pepper, mix to combine and add more salt to taste, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Allow the flavours to blend in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.