This Cilantro Lime Coleslaw is made with a crisp cabbage mix, crunchy almonds and a zesty homemade dressing. It makes a delicious side dish or topping for tacos, burgers, and BBQ sandwiches.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Lime Cilantro Coleslaw
• 🔪 How to Make Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
• 💡 Time Saving Tips for Making Coleslaw
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Lime Cilantro Coleslaw
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• How Do I Make Cabbage More Tender in Slaw?
• Can I Make This Slaw Dairy-Free?
• Is Lime Cilantro Coleslaw Healthy?
• Can I Shred My Own Cabbage?
• 🍽️ More Tasty Side Dish Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Homemade Coleslaw Recipe

• Crispy and refreshing coleslaw
• Kick of fresh cilantro and lime flavors
• Crunchy toasted almonds
• Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing
• Perfect quick and easy healthy side 
• Great make-ahead dish for a potluck or BBQ

This cilantro lime coleslaw recipe puts a wonderful, zesty twist on traditional coleslaw. A crispy cabbage mixture gets tossed with creamy homemade dressing infused with fresh lime, cilantro, and just a hint of jalapeño. There’s a refreshing burst of flavor in every bite.

One of the things you’ll love most is how well the different textures and flavors all work together. Toasted almonds provide a little crunch to the crispy veggies, while the dressing is cool, smooth and creamy. With vibrant colors and bold flavors, this creamy lime coleslaw makes a simple, yet flavorful addition to any dish.

If you love a cilantro lime flavor combo, you should also try this incredible Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw. It's another quick and easy favorite that you can serve as a side or as a topping to other dishes.

🛒 Ingredients for Lime Cilantro Coleslaw

• Coleslaw mix
• Fresh cilantro
• Fresh lime
• Sour cream
• Sliced almonds
• Red onion
• Jalapeño pepper
• Heavy cream
• Rice wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Serving bowl

🔪 How to Make Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

To Make the Cilantro Lime Coleslaw Dressing

Add the sour cream, heavy cream, lime juice, lime zest, rice wine vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper to a small mixing bowl.

Whisk to combine, then set aside while you make the slaw.

To Make the Coleslaw

Add the coleslaw mix, red onion, diced jalapeño pepper, toasted almonds and cilantro to a large mixing bowl.

Pour the dressing over the top.

Toss to combine, then allow the flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes before serving.

💡 Time Saving Tips for Making Coleslaw

• Save time by prepping the ingredients in advance. You can slice the red onion, dice the jalapeño pepper, and chop the cilantro ahead of time and store them in separate containers in the refrigerator until you're ready to make the coleslaw.

• You can always shred it yourself, buying the pre-shredded coleslaw mix from the grocery store saves a lot of time.

• Toast the almonds in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.

• Prepare the coleslaw dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. This also allows the flavors to meld together.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store any leftover coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will typically last for 3 to 5 days. If you notice any separation of the dressing after refrigeration, simply give the coleslaw a quick stir or toss. This is an easy way to redistribute the ingredients.

Freezer: While coleslaw can technically be frozen, it's not recommended due to the high water content of cabbage and the creamy consistency of the dressing. Freezing may cause the vegetables to become mushy and the dressing to separate.

🍴 What to Serve with Lime Cilantro Coleslaw

• Chicken: Serve lime cilantro coleslaw as a side to your favorite chicken recipe. It tastes amazing with these Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings.

• Seafood tacos: Top fish or shrimp tacos with lime cilantro coleslaw as a bright and zesty topping. You could even try it with these Asian Shrimp Tacos.

• Pulled pork: Add a fresh and tangy flavor by adding a scoop of this slaw to the top of rich and savory pulled pork.

• Ribs: Serve lime cilantro coleslaw as a side dish to BBQ ribs. The cool and crisp slaw is a wonderful contrast to the saucy ribs.

• Grilled shrimp skewers: Pair lime cilantro coleslaw with these Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers for a light and summery meal.

• Burgers: Add the tangy coleslaw instead of lettuce as a topping for your favorite burgers, like these Keto Smash Burgers.

• Fried fish: Pair lime cilantro coleslaw with your favorite fried fish recipe. For a healthy option, try it with this Air Fryer Cod.

• Quesadillas: Serve lime cilantro coleslaw alongside cheese or chicken quesadillas for a fresh and crunchy side dish.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Sour cream: Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter, tangier alternative.

• Nuts: Swap sliced almonds with chopped peanuts or pepitas for a different nutty flavor and texture.

• Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as alternatives to rice wine vinegar.  

• Pepper option: Substitute jalapeño with diced poblano pepper for milder heat, or you can omit it altogether for a mild coleslaw.

• Bell peppers: Mix in thinly diced red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for added crunch and flavor.

• Honey: Add a drizzle of honey to the dressing for a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the lime.

• Radishes: Slice radishes thinly and mix them into the coleslaw for a peppery crunch.

How Do I Make Cabbage More Tender in Slaw?

If you want the slaw to have a more wilted or tender texture, gently mash the cabbage mixture with your hands before adding the dressing. This slightly bruised the leaves, making them more tender.

Can I Make This Slaw Dairy-Free?

You can make this coleslaw dairy-free by substituting the sour cream and heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives. Dairy-free sour cream, coconut milk yogurt, and almond milk yogurt are good options. You can use almond milk or cashew milk instead of heavy cream.

Is Lime Cilantro Coleslaw Healthy?

Yes, this coleslaw recipe is healthy. It features fresh cabbage, carrots, and cilantro, which are low in calories and are a good source of nutrients. The creamy dressing is made with sour cream and lime juice, providing a balance of flavor without added sugars.

Can I Shred My Own Cabbage?

Absolutely! You can shred cabbage several ways. I prefer to use a mandoline slicer or a food processor with the shredding disc attachment. You can also shred it with a sharp knife and a steady hand.

🍽️ More Tasty Side Dish Recipes

• Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
• Glazed Carrots
• Garlic Potatoes and Green Beans
• Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower
• Air Fryer Baked Potatoes