Fish Taco Slaw
This fish taco slaw recipe with cilantro lime dressing is just what your Taco Tuesday asked for! This crunchy, flavorful taco slaw is delicious on all kinds of tacos and burrito bowls. But my favorite way to serve this spicy coleslaw is with fish tacos or shrimp burritos.
This slaw is easy to make and adds a healthy crunch to 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. My coworkers dubbed it caveman slaw.
It was so easy to make and pack for lunch that I ate it almost daily. I still make this yummy taco slaw regularly.
This recipe has a few variations. You can make it with a vinegar-based cilantro-lime dressing or a creamy taco slaw with a little bit of mayo and crema Mexicana (affiliate link).
More Coleslaw Recipes
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. There are only 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, but 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 whether to use a simple, vinegar-based cilantro lime dressing or a creamy slaw with mayo and crema Mexicana.
I like using a creamy slaw for fish tacos and shrimp or burritos. For chicken and ground beef, I like the vinegar-based. Let me know in the comments which one you prefer!
- 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.
Recipe Variations
- Creamy fish taco slaw. Add equal parts of mayo and crema Mexicana or sour cream. Depending on how creamy you like it, add between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup each of mayo and crema. Top it off with some finely diced red onion and a squeeze of lemon or lime. Mmmmm.
- Korean taco slaw: Shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, and green onions. Add a tablespoon of soy sauce and Sriracha to the dressing. Adjust the amount of Sriracha to your liking.
- Asian slaw with peanut dressing. Add all the extras you added for the Korean taco slaw and a tablespoon of peanut butter. If you’re feeling bolder, try this with a teaspoon of fish sauce. My only tip is that this dressing is best mixed up in a bowl before it’s added to the slaw so that the peanut butter will mix in properly.
FAQs and Expert Tips
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.
Yes, this Mexican taco slaw can be made ahead of time. Cabbage keeps really well in the fridge, and letting it sit in the fridge allows the flavors from the spices to marry.
There are many different types of coleslaw worldwide. Vinegar-based coleslaw and creamy coleslaw are just a few of the varieties.
Coleslaw is very easy to make and can be seasoned to accompany many types of food.
Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or longer.
The slaw will keep in the fridge for about a week. After that, it may start to wilt and soften.
I don’t recommend freezing coleslaw. Because cabbage contains a high amount of water, 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.
Homemade Flour Tortillas
Pineapple Salsa Recipe
Corn Tortilla Recipe (Easy)
Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas
Hungry for more Mexican Recipes?
I am always hungry for tacos, and I have a massive lineup of the best things to serve with tacos.
How to Make Shredded Beef
Fish Taco Bowl with Mango Salsa
Shredded Beef Tacos
Chipotle Chicken Meal-Prep
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Fish Taco Slaw Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups green cabbage, finely sliced
- 2 cups red cabbage , finely sliced
- ½ bunch fresh cilantro, minced
- 4 green onions, sliced
Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 3 tablespoon avocado oil, or olive oil
- 3 tablespoon vinegar, white, red, or, ACV
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Toss well to coat.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Video
Laura’s Tips + Notes
- 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 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup each of both mayo and creme fraiche.
- 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.
- Asian slaw with peanut dressing. Add all the extras that you added for the Korean taco slaw, and add a tablespoon of peanut butter. My only tip here is that this dressing is actually best mixed up in a bowl so that the peanut butter can be mixed in properly.
YOUR OWN NOTES
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Delicious with pan-seared halibut fillets. I didn’t even need the tortillas. Thank you!!
Thanks for the awesome review, Shelley. 🙂