Recipes

Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

RECIPE BY: San

DATE: May 21, 2026

Total Time 15 minutes

Jump to Recipe

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

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!

More Side Dish Recipes

Pin To Pinterest.

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.
Print Pin Rate

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

Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!
Let us know how it was Tag me on Insta

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.

Similar Posts

4.91 from 10 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




127 Comments

  4. This looks fantastic and so refreshing. I love everything with cilantro in it! Never can have too much. 😉 I’d love to try this along side our fajitas. Yum!

    Reply

  11. This Coleslaw sounds like the perfect side dish for summertime grilling! Love the fresh flavors paired together! I’d be thrilled for you to share this at my all new Creative Ways Link Party that’s live right now. I hope to see you and your slaw there! 😉 Have a wonderful rest of the week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
  14. Pingback: Eat. Create. Party! Spring over and link up! - A Dash of Sanity
  15. Pingback: Eat. Create. Party! #22 - I Want Crazy
  16. Pingback: Eat. Create. Party! #22 | Endlessly InspiredEndlessly Inspired
  22. Pingback: Wake Up Wednesdays #36 | The Tasty Fork
  23. Pingback: Wake Up Wednesdays {Week 36} - Wine & Glue
  24. Pingback: Wake Up Wednesdays - Kitchen Meets Girl

  25. This looks and sounds delicious. I have a bunch of cilantro in my garden and have been making lots of homemade salsa with it – this gives me something new to try. I might half the recipe though since I am the only coleslaw eater in my family. Pinning this.

    Reply