Easy Spicy Mexican Coleslaw with Creamy Lime Dressing
This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe features fresh ingredients like crunchy cabbage, fresh cilantro, green onions, and jalapeños tossed in a creamy lime dressing. Bold flavors, super easy to prep– the best side dish!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I am a huge fan of coleslaw. Dare I say, it is my favorite form of salad. You just can’t beat that crunch!
I’ve shared my herby lemon coleslaw, thai almond butter coleslaw recipes, and now my new favorite, this easy Mexican Coleslaw recipe. It is so simple to make–Green cabbage, green onions, green cilantro, green jalapeno–All the best green things tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with fresh lime juice. Seriously the perfect salad with crunchy veggies and fresh flavors!
It’s also Whole30 and Keto-friendly! Serve it with your favorite Mexican dishes like chicken or seafood, chicken tacos, fish tacos, burrito bowls, chicken enchiladas, and more! It makes the most delicious side dish!
Watch Recipe Demo Video (2:11 mins)
Ingredient Notes
Dressing
- Mayonnaise: This is a mayo-based dressing. Feel free to substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream if desired.
- Lime juice: I recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice for this creamy dressing. It adds the most delicious tangy flavor!
- Salt
- Black pepper
Coleslaw
- Shredded green cabbage: You can get a bag of coleslaw mix or shred your own fresh cabbage. I prefer green cabbage, but you can always use red cabbage if desired.
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions: Again, I prefer green cabbage because I love the all-green look, but you can substitute red onion if desired.
- Sliced Jalapeno: Add more or less depending on your spice preference.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In the bottom of a large bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust the amount of lime juice or salt if needed.
- On top of the dressing, add the sliced cabbage, cilantro, green onion, and jalapeno. Toss to combine.
- You can serve it immediately or keep it refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Serving Tips
Serve this perfect side dish alongside your favorite Mexican dishes! Perfect for a taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo, summer cookouts, or if you’re like me and LOVE Mexican food–any weeknight meal!
Storage Tips
Store leftover creamy Mexican coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
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Easy Spicy Mexican Coleslaw with Creamy Lime Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, from about 1 juicy lime
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Coleslaw
- 6 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed, finely diced
Instructions
- In the bottom of a large bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and whisk to combine. Taste, and adjust the amount of lime juice or salt if needed.
- On top of the dressing, add in the sliced cabbage, cilantro, green onion and jalapeno. Toss to combine.
- You can serve it immediately, or it will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 5 days.
16 Comments on “Easy Spicy Mexican Coleslaw with Creamy Lime Dressing”
Love, Love, Love this recipe. We make it all the time as a side, on fish tacos, in place of salad with meat on it, you name it- we tried it. Thanks for a great healthy coleslaw recipe with flavor, thank you!
I make this over and over and it’s always perfect!
Awww, thank you, Kris! You’re so nice!
Loved this! I’m a baby about spice so deseeded and only used 1/2 the jalapeno, but wow was this delicious. Love that this comes together with so few ingredients and yet doesn’t taste simple!
That is a perfect trick to make it mild! I’m the same way about spice :) So happy you liked this recipe!
A family favorite for any type of tacos, carnitas, etc. Quick and easy.
I am so happy my coleslaw has become a family favorite for you Ginny. It is so delicious with any Mexican food you serve. Adds such a yummy tang and crunch!
This recipe was AMAZING!! I’m becoming a big fan of cabbage/coleslaw, and when I found this recipe and realized I had all the ingredients on hand, I was stoked! It’s so quick and easy, and delicious!! Thanks for yet another winning recipe, Natalie. You rock!!
I love that you had all the ingredients on hand and were able to make it Mandy! That so rarely happens. LOL! I am so glad it was easy to make and delicious. Thanks for the feedback!
Well, I had bought all the ingredients for various other recipes. I’m going to have to go to the store again, LOL! Thanks for taking the time to respond to my comment. Your recipes have been a lifesaver for me as my husband is trying to lose weight eating keto, and I’m eating whole30-ish (I know, the lack of commitment is less than great, LOL). I discovered you during my last pregnancy — i had gestational diabetes (again) and needed some great recipes to keep my blood sugar in check. You saved the day! Well several days, really. ;) <3
I am so happy you and your husband are enjoying my recipes Mandy!
Really tasty! Had this with garlic and lime seasoned shrimp to make Keto Shrimp Tacos.
I am so glad you liked my coleslaw and that it was tasty Kathy. Serving it with garlic and lime shrimp sounds fantastic!
Just made this for the first time. Taste for seasoning at the end with caution – I took one bite and it was SO good that I couldn’t stop “tasting”. It’s such a quick and simple recipe that I’ll definitely make another batch ASAP! I did add some extra lime juice and zest at the end. I can’t wait to put it on fish tacos!
I am so happy you liked my mexican coleslaw Kassidy. I love that your taste test lead to another and another and another! LOL! Thanks for the laugh, I can so relate. Adding extra lime juice and zest is a fantastic idea. And it IS delicious on fish tacos!
Made this so many times, so simple and so delicious! When I make carnitas I use this, but I also use it when I turn the carnitas into bbq pulled pork (sugar free bbq).