Mexican Coleslaw With Cilantro Lime Dressing
When I want to add fresh flavor, color, and plenty of crunch to a meal, I make this Mexican coleslaw with cilantro lime dressing. All I need is 10 minutes, crisp cabbage, sweet red pepper, fresh cilantro, tangy lime juice, and warm cumin combined with a light vinaigrette to create this versatile salad. It is light, fresh, and instantly elevates any meal I serve it with.
Servings: 8
Calories: 84kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cabbage mix , I like a mix with red and green cabbage and shredded carrots (you could also use some broccoli slaw)
- 1 red pepper , medium sized
Dressing:
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ - ½ cup red wine vinegar , or vinegar of choice (adjust for tang preference)
- ¼ cup olive oil , or veggie broth for oil free
- 2 tablespoons lime juice , about one lime
- 1 - 3 teaspoons cumin , adjust for taste preference
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Extra veggie broth to thin out dressing if needed , I used 1/4 cup
Instructions
- Place all dressing ingredients in a mason jar or container and mix well. After mixing, allow dressing to sit while prepping the rest of the salad so that the flavors can combine. You can also do this the day before.
- Thinly slice the red pepper.
- Place it in a bowl with the cabbage.
- Combine dressing and coleslaw ingredients and serve.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this Mexican coleslaw with cilantro lime dressing recipe is to always let the chopped red onion marinate in the dressing before mixing it with the vegetables. It softens the sharp bite while subtly infusing the dressing with extra flavor, giving the whole slaw a more balanced taste.
- Slice everything thinly: I like cutting the red pepper into thin, even pieces, and selecting a bag of finely shredded cabbage slaw mix. If the premixed bags seem too chunky, I use red and green baby cabbage, and shred it myself.
- Rest: Even though this slaw is delicious right away, I usually let it sit for 15-30 minutes before serving. The vegetables stay crisp, but the flavors have time to meld.
- Adjust: I start with a smaller amount of vinegar, then taste before adding more. Some days I want a dressing with more tart flavor, and other times I prefer something a little milder.
- Fresh lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice makes a noticeable difference and delivers a dressing that bottled lime juice just cannot match.
Nutrition
Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 34.2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.9mg