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Home » Creative Recipes » Side Dishes » Mexican Cabbage Slaw

Glass bowl of Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Red Cabbage and carrots sitting on top of old gray barn wood table.

Mexican Cabbage Slaw

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Jul 10, 2019
UPDATED: Jan 5, 2022
9 Reviews / 4.3 Average
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Mexican Cabbage Slaw, also called Fish Taco Slaw, is a cool, tangy cabbage slaw with a Mexican-spiced apple cider vinaigrette that can be served as a side dish or on top of fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, or salads.

Glass bowl of Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Red Cabbage and carrots sitting on top of old gray barn wood table.

How Is Mexican Cabbage Slaw Different Than Cole Slaw?

This is definitely not your ordinary KFC coleslaw. There is no mayonnaise, but there is cabbage, carrots, red cabbage, cilantro, and broccoli slaw. The dressing, which is a Mexican vinaigrette has garlic, cumin, oregano, cilantro and lime.

Jump to:
  • How Is Mexican Cabbage Slaw Different Than Cole Slaw?
  • Why You’ll Love This Mexican Cabbage Slaw Recipe!
  • How To Make Mexican Cabbage Slaw From Scratch
  • Shortcut Method For Making Mexican Cabbage Slaw
  • Variations Of Mexican Cabbage Slaw?
  • How Do I Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette?
  • Can I Make Mexican Cabbage Slaw Ahead of Time?
  • Can I Use Broccoli Slaw Instead of Cabbage Slaw?
  • Can I Freeze Mexican Cabbage Slaw?
  • What Can I Serve With Mexican Cabbage Slaw? 
  • Other Mexican Side Dishes
  • More Slaw Recipes
  • Recipe
  • ⭐ Reviews

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Cabbage Slaw Recipe!

  • It is a tried and true recipe made successfully many times.
  • It is delicious, light and refreshing and perfect for a summer bbq, a light summer lunch or dinner, or on Blackened Fish Tacos or pulled pork tacos or sandwiches.
  • There is NO mayonnaise. It includes the recipe for a delicious apple cider vinaigrette.
  • It is very fresh and uses red cabbage instead of green cabbage like in my Fried Cabbage and Bacon recipe.
  • Included are instructions for making the slaw from scratch and for making the slaw using pre-packaged slaw mixes. It allows you to choose the method that is best for you.
Horizontal photo of 3 fish tacos 1 with Mexican Cabbage Slaw and 2 others with Mango salsa

How To Make Mexican Cabbage Slaw From Scratch

  • Gather Your Ingredients
    • 1/2 small head of green cabbage
    • 1/2 small head of red cabbage
    • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
    • 1 /2 cup cilantro, shredded
    • 1 recipe of apple cider vinaigrette (see below)

Shortcut Method For Making Mexican Cabbage Slaw

This method uses prepackaged slaw mixes to save time.

  • In a large bowl combine the following ingredients.
    • 1 bag Coleslaw Mix
    • 1 bag broccoli slaw mix (optional)
    • 1/2 Head of red cabbage
    • 1/4 cup shredded Carrots
Red Cabbage for Mexican Cabbage Slaw sitting on top of dark gray wood table.

Variations Of Mexican Cabbage Slaw?

  • Add jalapeños to the slaw for a spicy variation.
  • Add Pico De Gallo or Mango Pico De Gallo Salsa to the slaw for a spicy version with more flavors.
  • Use Chipotle Mayonnaise for the dressing instead of the Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

How Do I Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette?

Mix together the following ingredients into a large bowl. 

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Bottle of vinaigrette dressing to go with the Mexican Cabbage Slaw

Can I Make Mexican Cabbage Slaw Ahead of Time?

  • Yes. I recommend that the Mexican Cabbage Slaw be made ahead, maybe the day before and let it sit, covered, in the refrigerator overnight to let all the flavors fully develop. It is typically more flavorful the next day.

Can I Use Broccoli Slaw Instead of Cabbage Slaw?

  • Yes! I like to combine both cabbage and broccoli slaw to get a crunchier texture for the slaw. However, it is a matter of preference. 
Glass bowl of Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Red Cabbage and carrots sitting on top of old gray barn wood table.

Can I Freeze Mexican Cabbage Slaw?

  • Yes, it is possible to freeze slaw. If you do so, I recommend freezing the slaw WITHOUT the dressing. Then after thawing out the slaw in the refrigerator overnight, add the dressing. But what if you already added the vinaigrette? Yes, you can still freeze the slaw because this recipe does NOT contain mayonnaise and you can freeze it. If you use a mayonnaise-based dressing instead of this vinaigrette then I do NOT recommend freezing the slaw because the mayonnaise will separate.

What Can I Serve With Mexican Cabbage Slaw? 

  • Albondigas Soup – A Mexican Meatball Soup.
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas – Quesadillas taken to a whole new level with bacon and ranch flavors.
  • Mexican Beef and Rice Casserole – A whole meal in a skillet.
  • Lime Chicken Tacos – Top the tacos with this Mexican Cabbage Slaw.
  • Fish Tacos – Be sure to sign up for our email subscription so you will be notified when this recipe is published.
  • Picadillo Con Papas – Ground Beef and Potatoes in a robust, spicy tomato sauce.
  • Strawberry Margarita Pie – A no-bake frozen Strawberry pie that puts a delicious finishing touch on your Mexican meal.
  • Mexican Cauliflower Rice – A low carb version of Mexican Rice.

Other Mexican Side Dishes

  • Mexican Rice
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad

More Slaw Recipes

  • Crack Slaw – AKA Eggroll In A Bowl has ground beef with Cole slaw for a low carb dinner.

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Recipe

Glass bowl of Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Red Cabbage and carrots sitting on top of old gray barn wood table.
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4.34 from 9 votes

Mexican Cabbage Slaw Recipe

Mexican Cabbage Slaw, also called Fish Taco Slaw, is a cool, tangy cabbage slaw with a Mexican-spiced apple cider vinaigrette that can be served as a side dish or on top of fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, or salads.
Course Side Dishes
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword Cabbage Slaw, Fish Taco Slaw, Mexican Cabbage Slaw
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
Marinating Time 3 hours hours
Total Time 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings 8
Calories 103kcal
Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Ingredients

Shortcut Method For Slaw

  • 1 (14-ounce) bag Coleslaw mix
  • 1 (14-ounce) bag broccoli slaw mix
  • 1/4 head red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

From Scratch Method For Slaw

  • 1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 head red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Optional Ingredients For Slaw

  • 2 each jalapenos, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions 

To Make The Slaw (Shortcut Method)

  • In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients under the shortcut Method.
  • Pour apple cider vinaigrette over the Mexican Cabbage Slaw and stir until all slaw is evenly coated.
  • Add optional ingredients if you like.
  • Refrigerate for several hours (or overnight) until ready to serve.

To Make The Slaw (From Scratch Method)

  • In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients under the From Scratch Method.
  • Pour apple cider vinaigrette over the Mexican Cabbage Slaw and stir until all slaw is evenly coated.
  • Add optional ingredients if you like.
  • Refrigerate for several hours (or overnight) until ready to serve.

To Make The Apple Cider Vinaigrette

  • Pour all ingredients into a bowl and stir. Set aside until ready to pour over slaw.

Notes

NOTE 1: The shortcut method saves time on prepping the slaw. It saves time, slicing and chopping.
NOTE 2: Optional ingredients are not required for this recipe. 
NOTE 3: The longer the prepared Mexican Cabbage Slaw sits in the refrigerator, the more the flavors fully develop. It is a great dish to prepare the night before.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 835IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Filed Under: Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Lunch, Mexican, Popular Posts, Side Dishes, Summer Recipes, Vegetables Tagged With: cabbage, cabbage slaw, Fish Taco Slaw, Mexican Cabbage Slaw, slaw

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Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author, recipe developer, and photographer. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot recipes and Southern and Mexican cuisines.

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