Mexican Taco Slaw

Taco slaw with cilantro lime dressing is just what your Taco Tuesday asked for! This crunchy, flavorful slaw is delicious on all kinds of tacos and burrito bowls. But my favorite way to serve this spicy taco slaw is with fish tacos or shrimp burritos.

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This slaw is easy to make and adds a healthy crunch to all of your favorite Mexican Recipes. Plus, this Mexican coleslaw recipe makes a fabulous side dish all on its own.

I first created this slaw recipe as a meal prep recipe. I used to make a huge batch every week and bring it to work topped with taco seasoned ground beef. It was dubbed ‘caveman slaw’ by my coworkers.

It was honestly so easy to make and pack for lunch that I ate it almost daily. I still make this yummy taco slaw on a regular basis.

This recipe has a few variations because you can make it with a vinegar-based cilantro-lime dressing or you can make a creamy taco slaw with a little bit of mayo and crema Mexicana (affiliate link).

easy taco slaw recipe with red and green cabbage, perfect for fish tacos

Recipe Notes

This shredded cabbage taco slaw is super easy to make. There’s no need to make a separate dressing, so you can mix all the ingredients together in one bowl. Easy peasy!

Ingredients

Cabbage. I like to use a mixture of red and green cabbage, but you can use whatever combination you like.
Cilantro. Minced is best. Find cilantro that’s as green and fresh as possible for maximum flavor.
Green Onions. Sliced and added for color and flavor.
Spices. Nothing but the classics here: Cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Plus, the usual suspects, salt and pepper.
Oil & Vinegar. I usually use avocado oil (affiliate link) and red wine vinegar in this recipe. Olive oil works well, too. (See notes for making creamy taco slaw.)
Limes. Freshly squeezed lime juice, of course.

How To Make Mexican Slaw

When you make this cabbage slaw for tacos, you can decide if you want to make a simple, vinegar-based cilantro lime dressing, or make it a creamy slaw with mayo and crema Mexicana.

I like to use a creamy slaw for fish tacos and shrimp tacos or burritos. For chicken and ground beef, I like the vinegar-based. Let me know in the comments which one you prefer!

thinly sliced red and green cabbage — red + green cabbage

add the green onions to the taco slaw — red + green cabbage

add cumin plus coriander — cumin + coriander

Slice the cabbage using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer (affiliate link). Add it to a large bowl.
Finely chop half of one bunch of cilantro and the green onions. Add them to the bowl.
Add the spices, oil, vinegar, and lime juice.
Toss to coat.

the best tacos slaw recipe, easy and delicious

Recipe Variations

Creamy fish taco slaw. Add in equal parts of mayo + crema Mexicana or sour cream. Depending on how creamy you like it, I would use between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup each of both mayo and crema. Top it all off with some finely diced red onion and a squeeze of lemon or lime. Mmmmm.
Slaw for Korean tacos. Add shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, and green onions. For the dressing, add a tablespoon of soy sauce + sriracha. I like a lot of sriracha…but adjust the amount to your liking. Feel free to eat all the sriracha.
Asian slaw with peanut dressing. Add all the extras that you added for the Korean taco slaw, and add a tablespoon of peanut butter. If you’re feeling a little bolder, try this with a teaspoon of fish sauce, too. My only tip here is that this dressing is actually best mixed up in a bowl so that the peanut butter will mix in properly.

FAQs and Expert Tips

Can you use bagged cabbage for Mexican cabbage slaw?

Yes, you can use bagged cabbage for this recipe. Just be sure that the cabbage is nice and fresh. Old cabbage will look a little grey along the edges.

Can Mexican slaw be made ahead of time?

Yes, this Mexican taco slaw can be made ahead of time. Cabbage keeps really well in the fridge. Plus, letting this slaw sit in the fridge allows the flavors from the spices to marry.

What are the different types of coleslaw?

There are many different types of coleslaw around the world. Vinegar-based coleslaw and creamy coleslaw are just a few varieties.

Coleslaw is very easy to make and can be seasoned to accompany many types of food.

How to store leftover Mexican coleslaw.

Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or longer.

How long will taco slaw keep in the fridge?

Slaw will keep in the fridge for about a week. After that, it may start to be wilted and soft.

Can you freeze coleslaw?

I don’t recommend freezing coleslaw. Because of the high amount of water in cabbage, it tends to get mushy after it’s frozen and then thawed.

What To Serve with Taco Slaw

Of course, you can use this Mexican slaw for tacos, but it’s also delicious on burritos and burrito bowls. I especially love it on shrimp burritos. Make sure to check out my fish taco recipe.

Homemade tortillas are the best when you’re making Mexican food. Try my corn tortilla recipe or this easy homemade flour tortilla recipe.

Hungry for more things that go with tacos?

I am always hungry for tacos, and I have a huge lineup of the best things to serve with tacos.

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