Easy Mexican Coleslaw Recipe - Spicy coleslaw with a tasty twist, you'll love this easy salad! It's the perfect tasty side dish or
Love this salad? Be sure to try my Mom's recipe for Deviled Egg Potato Salad next - hands down the BEST!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ It's crisp and crunchy and a nice change from the traditional recipe.
✔️ No heavy coleslaw dressing, this recipe has a mayo-free salad dressing that makes it perfect for cookouts and bbq's and summer picnics.
✔️ Full of fresh flavors, it's one of the best side dishes for a hot summer's day and it's delicious!
Ingredients
You're really going to love this great recipe. It all comes together with a light delicious mayo-free slaw recipe! Here are the slaw ingredients. You'll find the exact measurements below on the recipe card.
- raw cabbage - I use a bag of coleslaw mix or shredded green cabbage with some purple cabbage - so pretty!
- black beans - make your own with this copycat Chipotle Black Bean Recipe!
- fresh cilantro
- tomato
- red onion
- jalapeño
- limes
- honey
- rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- extra-virgin olive oil
- ground cumin
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions for the cabbage slaw just scroll down to the bottom!
- Rinse and drain the black beans.
- Seed and dice the tomato.
- Mince the onion, cilantro
and jalapeños. - Place cabbage and above ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If you're using a whole head, cut cabbage or shred it as finely as possible.
- Whisk together ingredients for the cilantro lime dressing in a small bowl.
- Pour dressing over ingredients and toss gently to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
Equipment
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- These mixing bowls - I have two sets and use them daily!
- I have two sets of measuring spoons. I like these because they fit in the spice jars.
- Every cook needs a good knife - this is the one I use. Be sure to keep it sharp!
FAQ's
Absolutely, this is a great make-ahead side dish! This keeps in the fridge 2-3 three days and keeps getting better!
You bet! You know I'm just lazy right? Pre-sliced cabbage just eliminates a step.
If you're looking to mix it up a bit - add some fresh corn, just slice it off the cob and toss it in. Chunks of creamy avocado? Another great addition! Want to add even more crunch? Add some toasted pepitas! You will love this mayo-free slaw!
Tips
This is a great mayo free coleslaw recipe. Keeping it bright and fresh and not weighed down with heavy sauce.
- Watch for the date when you pick up the coleslaw mix, make sure it's fresh!
- If you're shredding your own cabbage with a food processor, you'll make the coleslaw better by adding shredded carrots and shredded red cabbage.
- Unlike a traditional coleslaw that uses mayonnaise, greek yogurt or sour cream, this salad dressing is mayo-free, light and fresh.
Variations
This cabbage slaw is terrific used as a topping on fish or chicken tacos for Taco Tuesday, it's really the BEST salad!
Added thinly sliced green onions to add a light oniony flavor. Red pepper, jalapeños pepper to the cilantro lime slaw. That would be a pretty and tasty edition as well!
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers and store in an airtight container. It will last for 3-4 days.
Related recipes
I'm a big fan of easy delicious side and salad - here are more from the blog I think you should try next time!
- Mexican Fruit Salad - this is another mayo-free, light delicious salad - perfect for cookouts and pool parties!
- This yummy Watermelon Quinoa Salad has great crunch, it's sweet and salty - super yummy!
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad is a great side salad or a great light lunch!
Serving with
You can serve the Mexican cole slaw with your favorite Mexican food, it's a great side for your Cinco de Mayo party, alongside a big bowl of Posole!
Next time serve the crunchy cabbage with your barbecue. It's perfect for summer cookouts! Some of my favorite meal pairings are:
- Barbecued Pork Ribs - fall off the bone, tender and delicious!
- Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe - loads of big flavor, combine perfectly!
- Fish Tacos - top off the tacos with this salad, YUM!!
- Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs - what a great meal!!
Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounce coleslaw mix or a head of cabbage if you prefer to use fresh cabbage
- 15 ounce black beans 1 can - well rinsed and drained
- 1 tomato seeded and diced
- 1 red onion small - minced
- 1 jalapenos seeded and minced
- ½ cup cilantro minced
- Salad Dressing
- ½ cup lime juice you'll need 3-4 limes, juiced
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
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Instructions
- Rinse the black beans and drain well.
- Seed and dice the tomato, mince the onion, cilantro and jalapeños. Add the slaw mix and all of the ivegetables and black beans to a large bowl.
- Whisk together ingredients for the salad dressing and pour over the slaw, tossing gently to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Recipe Backstory
Originally this was part of a blog hop and a recipe I enjoyed sharing from Lisa's Dinnertime Dish.
Originally published July 18, 2019 - Updated April 22, 2022
Debi
I made this as a side dish for taco night. It was a big hit! In fact, some of us put it in the tacos too! Easy to make and delicious!
Bowl Me Over
I've used it to top fish tacos - it's just so yummy, thanks Debi!
Lori Vachon
I love the honey and lime combination in this salad. I can't wait to make this for Taco Tuesday and serve alongside some baked chicken tacos.
Bowl Me Over
Perfect combination, enjoy Lori!
Michaela Kenkel
Whipped this up yesterday and we loved it! Such a fun and clever twist on coleslaw!!
Bowl Me Over
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe Michaela, we loved it too!
Amy Nash
Oh wow this was good! I make an Asian slaw that my family loves so I was excited to see this Mexican version. It was so easy and the flavors were amazing! I'm going to make this again soon!
Erin Parker
This coleslaw sounds utterly delightful! We're big fans of coleslaw without the mayo, so this will go over splendidly in our house!
Now to figure out what to pair with this goodness, and we'll be set for dinner!
Jennifer A Stewart
I love the beans added in and it's my new go-to for Meatless Monday which is quickly becoming Mexican Monday!
michele
The slaw with the beans are a perfect match! Filling and light all in the same bite! I loved the refreshing dressing too.... Definitely keeping this for a bbq coming up!-- If I can wait that long to make it again!
Bowl Me Over
It's fabulous, perfect for your BBQ - enjoy!
Julie Menghini
What a delicious beautiful salad! I've given up using mayo because John doesn't like it so will be making this one!
Bowl Me Over
You'll love it Julie, enjoy!!
Brandi
This is THE PERFECT coleslaw recipe for our next BBQ!!!
Bowl Me Over
Most definitely! Enjoy Brandi!!
Angela
Such a great idea! Love the flavors and bright colors in this coleslaw!! What a great side for taco night! Thanks!
Bowl Me Over
Taco night or ribs on the grill, I'm telling you this is a winner!!
Lisa Hitzeman
I'm so glad you chose this recipe to make! It's one of my family's favorites. I make it a lot in the summer and it's always a hit!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Lisa! It was no easy task choosing a recipe, let me tell you! Your blog is beautiful and recipes are delish!!!