Cilantro Lime Taco Slaw

This creamy cilantro lime taco slaw recipe is the perfect topping. It takes 10 minutes to prepare and pairs so well with Mexican flavors.

Ingredients

To make this cilantro lime taco slaw, you'll need the following ingredients. Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Taco Slaw Mix Ingredients

Cabbage: I use a mix of green and purple cabbage. Green cabbage has a mild, sweet flavor, while purple cabbage offers a slight peppery taste. I also love the visual appeal and vibrant colors of purple cabbage. You can use either one or both.

Carrots: Shredded carrots add sweetness, crunch, and color. The combination of cabbage and carrots gives this slaw a classic, crisp bite. You can also use coleslaw mix for convenience.

Green onions: Thinly sliced green onions add a crisp, pungent bite without being overwhelming. It gives a mild onion flavor that tastes delicious in this slaw.

Cilantro: It provides a fresh, bright, and herbal flavor. It's also a key aromatic ingredient in Mexican cuisine, pairing perfectly with tacos. If you don't like the flavor of cilantro, you can omit it.

Jalapeño: I seed and finely chop the jalapeño for a fresh crunch and a little heat. When seeding the jalapeño, ensure you remove the white membrane since it's the primary source of heat. Adding it is a unique twist to traditional coleslaw that makes it perfect for Mexican dishes.

Taco Slaw Dressing Ingredients

Sour cream: It offers a refreshing and tangy flavor. Sour cream is a key ingredient in the dressing. It balances the savory and spicy flavors in Mexican-inspired dishes.

Mayonnaise: Traditional coleslaw uses mayonnaise for a creamy and rich dressing. My recipe uses less mayo for a lighter flavor. It combines well with the sour cream to make the perfect dressing.

Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds acidity. It's bright and tangy. I use it instead of vinegar because it's less pungent. It also tastes amazing with tacos. I prefer fresh lime juice, but bottled works if that's what you have on hand.

Salt and pepper: Salt enhances the flavor, while black pepper adds a subtle touch of heat. Both also help balance the acidity and tartness in the dressing.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Slaw

The following are the steps and process images for making a creamy cilantro lime taco slaw. Refer to the recipe card for the complete set of instructions.

1. Combine vegetables in a large bowl. I prefer using a sharp knife to cut the cabbage, carrots, green onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. You can also use a mandoline, food processor, or box grater for the cabbage and carrots. Once the vegetables are prepared, mix them into a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, prepare the dressing. Now that the vegetables are ready, it's time for the dressing. Add sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, kosher salt, and black pepper into a small bowl. Then, stir or whisk until the ingredients are combined.

3. Pour the dressing over the taco slaw mix. Once the dressing is well-combined, pour it over the prepared vegetables. You can pour it all in the middle or drizzle it around. Either way, it'll get mixed in.

4. Toss and stir to coat the slaw with dressing. Be gentle as you're tossing to avoid breaking down the crispiness of the cabbage and carrots. Keep stirring until the ingredients are well coated. Then, let it chill in the refrigerator covered for at least 30 minutes. You can serve it right away, but I recommend letting the flavors meld.

Serving Suggestions

This crunchy cilantro lime slaw is perfect as a topping for tacos or as a side. It also pairs well with many other dishes. The following are my favorite ways to serve it:

• In a burrito or wrap. It's a crunchy, fresh, and tasty filling for burritos and other wraps. I like to use it as a substitute for lettuce. It offers so much more flavor.
• As a side dish. Taco slaw isn't only for Mexican-inspired dishes. You can try it as a side dish for Asian dishes or as a twist on traditional coleslaw at a cookout. It's also delicious with a baked potato.
• Burger or sandwich topping. It adds creaminess and crunch to your burgers or sandwiches. Be prepared, though. It may get a bit messy.
• In a grain or burrito bowl. It's fresh and creamy, serving as a topping and dressing.

How to Store

My favorite way to make this ahead is to keep the shredded vegetables and dressing separate. I put the dressing in a glass jar. Then, I place the vegetables in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture. I mix them a few hours before serving.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It'll last up to 5 days, but it'll lose its crunch and become softer.

As the slaw sits in the fridge, the cabbage will release water. It leads to a thinner dressing. You may need to drain some of the liquid before serving.

I don't recommend freezing taco slaw because it'll ruin the texture.

Variations

This recipe is what I use most, but there are variations to change up the flavors. The following are various ways to mix it up.

Make it sweet. Add sugar or honey to sweeten the dressing. It'll create a sweet-and-sour taste.

Add diced mango or pineapple. Pineapple and mango salsas are delicious on tacos. Dice a cup of either fruit and mix it in the slaw. They provide a sweet and tangy flavor, especially perfect in the warmer months.

Mix in more vegetables. Slaw is an excellent way to enjoy more vegetables. Add thinly sliced broccoli stems, jicama, onions, or radishes.

Add more crunch. Nuts and seeds are excellent for making your slaw crunchier. Try toasted slivered almonds, chopped walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or pepitas. Top it with the nuts or seeds when you're ready to serve so they stay crunchy.

Make it spicier. Leave some or all the jalapeño seeds and membranes. For a spicier kick, use serrano or habanero peppers. Aside from fresh peppers, you can add a bit of hot sauce, cayenne, or crushed red pepper.

Use a chipotle crema sauce. It's a creamy, smoky, and tangy sauce with a slight kick of heat. The key ingredient for the flavor profile is chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. They're smoked jalapeños in a tomato-based sauce. Add 1-2 peppers to ¾ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt with lime juice, a garlic clove, and salt to taste. Then, blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make taco slaw without mayo?

You can make cilantro lime taco slaw without mayonnaise by omitting it or substituting it with Greek yogurt. Skipping the mayo will yield a lighter slaw, while Greek yogurt will keep the creamy texture.

What are the main ingredients for taco slaw?

A zesty taco slaw is fresh, light, and the perfect side dish or topping for tacos or burgers. It's also easy to prepare. The key ingredients are cabbage, carrots, green onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.

What kind of cabbage is best for taco slaw?

All you need to make a tasty and crunchy taco slaw is green cabbage. I like to combine it with purple cabbage for its slight peppery flavor and vibrant color.

More Vegetarian Salad Recipes

• Heirloom Tomato Salad: Ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes on greens with gorgeous colors.
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad: Every bite delivers a sweet, savory crunch balanced with a delicious vinaigrette.
• Persimmon Salad: A lovely fall salad with sweet persimmons, pomegranate seeds, arugula, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.

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