This Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw is a spectacular twist on our classic Southern cole slaw. It goes particularly well with Southwestern or Mexican dishes and makes the perfect topping for pulled pork...anything! The freshly prepared vegetables add just the right color and crunch to the homemade dressing and the ingredients combine to turn this kicked-up cole slaw into a side dish to remember.
Easy Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw Recipe
Cilantro is one of those herbs that people seem to either love or hate. We are definitely in the "love" category at our house and my vegetable bin is rarely without it. Not only is cilantro used in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, cilantro also makes an appearance in Indian and Asian dishes as well, all of which we enjoy on a regular basis. I whipped up this batch of cilantro lime slaw to top the pulled pork tostadas we were having for dinner, and it was indeed the perfect crowning touch adding just the right balance of crunch and flavor.
How to Make the Best Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw Recipe
There are many variations of cole slaw and I'd be the first to say that I pretty much love them all. In North Carolina it's common to serve a barbecue seasoned slaw called Red Slaw with pulled pork. It doesn't matter the event, this cilantro lime cole slaw is a side dish winner and expands the flavor making it another easy salad option.
- Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw: Thinly sliced green cabbage, red cabbage, julienned carrots, green onions and fresh cilantro.
- For the dressing you'll need: Mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, pickled jalapenos, onion powder, garlic salt.
- Can you use a shortcut? If you'd like to adapt this recipe using a packaged cole slaw mix you could. You'll need about 1 ½ pounds to equal the amount called for in the recipe. You may also need to adapt the seasonings just slightly so taste and make that decision in real time.
- Make this cole slaw at least four hours in advance to give the ingredients the time they need to marry. Chill in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Serve Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw on on pulled pork sandwiches, fish tacos or as a side dish with grilled or roasted chicken or pork. You can enjoy this cole slaw as a kicked-up side dish with baked beans and corn on the cobb for your next barbecue. It even goes well with a pot of pinto beans and Mexican Cornbread.
More Southern Style Salads to Make
- This retro Grape Salad is filled with toasted pecans and dressed with a slightly sweet homemade dressing.
- Easy 5 Bean Salad is a refrigerator salad that gets better and better the longer it's chilled.
- Italian Spaghetti Salad with spinach can double as a side dish or a meal.
- Hillbilly Cole Slaw is dressed with a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing.
- Depending on the entrée you're serving this Buffalo Ranch Cole Slaw is tasty alongside steak or wings when you're tailgating.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
- Food Processor
- Lemon/Lime Squeezer
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Non-Slip Bottom
- Salad Serving Bowl
Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw
Ingredients
- Dressing:
- ¾ cup real mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeno plus 1 tablespoon juice
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Slaw:
- 8 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1 cup thinly sliced purple cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 green onion minced
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, pickled jalapenos, sugar, zest, garlic salt and onion power.
- Add the slaw ingredients and mix well.
- Chill for at least 4 hours prior to serving, mixing periodically.
Nutrition
Jacob
Safe to say I would rate this 10 stars if I could. Considering my girlfriend ate half of it prior to using it as a topping for our tacos justifies just how good this recipe exactly is. Will definitely be utilizing this in the future!
Melissa
Thank you so much!
Brigid
Wow! This recipe is one for the books.. we absolutely loved the spice and the freshness.
I added red and yellow bell peppers for some more crunch.. delicious! This slaw is great for tangy pulled bbq chicken tacos, sweet and sassy, like every good southern girl I know;) xo
Melissa
Thank you, I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Jb
So easy and YUM.
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Victoria
Can this recipe be made and saved in the freezer for later????
Thank you!!!!
Melissa
I don't recommend freezing cole slaw.
Doug Rogers
This was really good on pulled pork tacos. I had trouble finding lime zest, so I grated the exterior of a lime. I also could only find "tamed" pickled jalapenos, so it might not have had a much kick as the original recipe. I might a more lime juice and chopped jalapenos next time to make up for what I can't locate locally.
Thanks so much for the recipe. It's a keeper.
Melissa
Sounds great, Doug! By the way, fresh lime zest is exactly what you needed.
Debb A.
Just put it together and it’s amazing! I can’t wait to try after the flavors marry and try it with pork carnitas!
Melissa
Thank you!
Amy
Really delicious coleslaw that would be great on fish tacos too!
Melissa
Yes, totally agree, thanks!
DeAnna
I have a bag of pre-shredded slaw mix to use up, can i use this in place? If so do i need to adjust the dressing for the measurements of freshly shredded veggies?
Melissa
You can use it. I'm not certain if you'll need to make other adjustments or not, it depends on how the amount in the bag compares to the amounts in the recipe.
Heidi
This is delicious! Love the little bit of heat from the pickled Jalapeno juice. I'm serving with Pork Carnitas Tacos. Can't wait for dinner!
Melissa
Oh yummy, that's the perfect match-up, thanks!
Susie
Wonderful! So flavorful and although I am a huge mayonnaise fan, this was lighter and so refreshing. Served with carne Asada tacos. Cilantro and lime are the best combination!
Melissa
Perfect, thanks so much!
Mel
Has anyone substituted yogurt for the mayo?
Cheryn
Are the pickled jalapeños less spicy than regular ones? We don’t really do spicy.
Melissa
They can be but, please read the label closely as heat can vary even with pickled jalapenos.
Beth
Can I use fresh jalapeño in place of the pickled jalapeños?
Melissa
If you prefer, sure.
Heath
This slaw was great! We made it to go with pulled pork tacos. They were great together!
Melissa
Awesome, thanks so much!
Laura Cheek
This recipe went over big with my family, really great southwestern take on cole slaw! I’m going to serve again tomorrow for guests with bbq baby back ribs.
Melissa
Oh wonderful, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!
Deb
This Cole Slaw is outstanding. It goes together quickly and the lime keeps it from being cloying.
Really refreshing. Thanks
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Kay Barfield
I made the slaw with grilled shrimp and Mushroom Rice. It was really delicious. My husband loved it.
Melissa
That sound like a tasty dinner. Glad he enjoyed this slaw, thanks!
M.E. Stanley
Made the cilantro, lime coleslaw for Labor Day BBQ. Everyone enjoyed it, it was great!
Melissa
Wonderful, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!
Barb
Where do you get pickled jalapenos I live in Grand Rapids Michigan
Melissa
They're widely available at any grocery store both in the Hispanic foods section and pickles.