Recipes

Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

RECIPE BY: San

DATE: May 21, 2026

Total Time 15 minutes

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Cilantro Lime Coleslaw is a light, refreshing twist on classic coleslaw, perfect as a simple salad or a topper for tacos, burgers, and sandwiches.

a bowl of coleslaw being tossed together.

This Cilantro Lime Coleslaw is an easy coleslaw recipe made with red and green cabbage, cilantro, green onion, and limes, proving that cabbage can be the star of any meal. Whether you are serving this up for an outdoor barbecue, a quick, easy meal, or at a fiesta, everyone will love this coleslaw.

So, I can’t even begin to tell you how much our family loves this Cilantro Lime Coleslaw recipe. It is a big deal for me even to post a coleslaw recipe on my blog because I wouldn’t typically like coleslaw. My personal opinion is that it tends to be overdressed.

It is way too creamy that it takes away the crispiness of the cabbage. It is like a watered-down drink that just isn’t right. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dressings on coleslaw, that is, if it isn’t too much and has a big flavor.

Best Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

It’s not your average store-bought coleslaw; you can thank me later.  It’s packed with flavor, thanks for adding lime and cilantro; of course, salt and pepper help out too!

Stunning – I love the color that the purple “red” cabbage brings to the dish, and the dark green contrast of the cilantro and green onions to the green cabbage is just gorgeous.

I love to play around with the amount of dressing – I can make it a little more dry or creamy depending on what I am making.

close-up shot of the coleslaw.

What to Serve this With

How to Make It

Combine the green cabbage, purple cabbage, scallions, and cilantro in a large salad bowl.

Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar, and zest in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of lime juice. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine.

You can serve it right away or chill it to serve later.

Coleslaw Recipe Tips

  • Make-Ahead: You can make the salad a day before and keep it in the refrigerator.
  • Serving Tip: Because this salad has mayonnaise, don’t leave it at room temperature for over two hours. If you serve it outside during the summer, you will want to refrigerate it sooner.
  • Leftovers: If you have leftover coleslaw, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
close-up shot of cilantro lime coleslaw.

This Cilantro Lime Coleslaw is a must-make for the spring and summer months. Whether you’re hosting a party or having dinner with your family, whip up a batch of this coleslaw, and you will have everyone oohing and aahing. Enjoy friends!

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collage of cilantro lime coleslaw

Cilantro-Lime Coleslaw

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 140 kcal
Cilantro Lime Coleslaw – deliciously light and refreshing, this twist on your traditional coleslaw is absolutely perfect for tacos, barbecues or as a salad.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 head green cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1/4 purple cabbage chopped
  • 4 scallions
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 limes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cut the green cabbage using a sharp knife or I used my mandolin to make thin ribbons. Roughly chopped the purple cabbage until you have 1 cup. Chop the scallions Toss the green cabbage, purple cabbage, scallions and cilantro in a large salad bowl.
  • Make the dressing by combining the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar and the zest from one of the limes in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of lime juice from the remaining lime. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine.

Serving: 10gCalories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 103mgPotassium: 248mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 465IUVitamin C: 50.1mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 0.8mg

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Hey, I'm Sandra! At A Dash of Sanity, you'll discover family-friendly recipes for every occasion. Whether it's speedy dinners or delectable desserts, I'm here to make your mealtime delicious, simplify your holiday baking, and unite your loved ones around the table.

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127 Comments

  6. This looks really good and refreshing – Especially for summer! I might have to replace the cilantro, but I’d love to try this.

    Reply

  8. I just made a cilantro lime rice yesterday and this would have been a perfect pair! I just love lime on almost anything

    Reply

  12. I am also very picky when it comes to cole slaw. I am feeling quite certain that I would love this recipe.

    Reply

  15. Oh my goodness, this sounds amazing. My MIL loves cilantro, so this would be great as a side on Mother’s Day. Thanks so much

    Reply

  21. This looks delicious! I don’t know if I’ve ever made my own, but if I were to attempt, I know now what I’m going to try!

    Reply

  24. I generally stay away from cole slaw because of the mayo–I am not a big fan of mayo! This recipe sounds great-I do happen to love cabbage and cutting that mayo with sour cream is a really great idea.

    Reply

  25. My son is a big Cole slaw fan- I never make it- but I’ll have to try this recipe- look like the kind he would like. Thanks!

    Reply