Mexican Slaw for Tacos: The Zesty Topping You Need for Taco Night

Want to transform your Taco Tuesday into a fiesta? Look no further than this vibrant and flavorful Mexican Slaw For Tacos. This isn’t your average coleslaw; it’s a crunchy, tangy, and slightly spicy side dish that’s specifically designed to elevate your tacos. With its crisp cabbage, bright citrus dressing, and a touch of jalapeño heat, this easy mexican slaw recipe adds the perfect fresh counterpoint to rich taco fillings. Get ready to make this easy coleslaw your go-to taco topping, time and time again.

Overhead view of a bright blue bowl filled with Mexican Slaw.

When it comes to side dishes, slaw holds a special place in my heart. From summer barbecues to casual weeknight dinners, a good slaw is always a welcome addition to the meal. And this Mexican slaw recipe, specifically crafted for tacos, is a particular favorite in my kitchen.

What truly distinguishes this recipe is the zesty dressing, a harmonious blend of fresh orange and lime juice. These citrus powerhouses create a bright and tangy flavor profile that perfectly complements the subtle heat from the jalapeño in this mexican coleslaw. It’s the ideal balance of sweet, sour, and spicy, making it an irresistible topping for your favorite tacos.

Whether you’re serving it alongside succulent carne asada or piling it high on crispy fish tacos, this mexican slaw is an absolute must-try. For a truly memorable Mexican-inspired meal, serve it with my Mexican Cornbread and prepare for rave reviews!

Want to customize the heat? Easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or less jalapeño. Feel like adding even more texture and flavor? Consider mixing in other colorful veggies like crisp bell peppers (red and green) or shredded carrots. The possibilities are as endless as your taco cravings!

Ingredients for Mexican Slaw

This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to create a slaw that’s bursting with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

Olive Oil: Opt for a good quality extra-virgin olive oil as the base of the dressing. Its fruity notes enhance the overall flavor.
Fresh Citrus Juices: The magic of this slaw lies in the combination of fresh lime juice and orange juice. This duo delivers a vibrant tanginess that’s essential for authentic mexican slaw.
Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar adds a subtle molasses-like sweetness that beautifully balances the citrus and spice. If you prefer, you can substitute white sugar, or a sugar alternative like monk fruit for a lower sugar option.
Ground Cumin: Cumin brings a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky depth to the dressing. For a fun variation, try using taco seasoning instead of just cumin for an even more pronounced Mexican flavor.
Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt is crucial for enhancing all the other flavors and bringing them into harmony.
Coleslaw Mix: This pre-shredded mix of cabbage and carrots is the convenient base for this mexican slaw. You can find it in most grocery stores, or shred your own cabbage and carrots if you prefer a truly homemade touch.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a satisfying crunch and a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Jalapeño Pepper: Jalapeño provides the signature kick of heat. For a milder slaw, be sure to remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño before dicing, as these parts contain most of the heat.
Fresh Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note that’s characteristic of Mexican cuisine. If you’re not a cilantro fan, you can simply omit it or substitute fresh parsley.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Mexican Slaw

For detailed measurements and a printable recipe, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here’s a visual guide to making this easy mexican slaw:

Close up of citrus juice being squeezed into a measuring cup, surrounded by oranges and limes.

First, prepare the zesty coleslaw dressing. This is where the magic happens!

Simply combine the olive oil, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, brown sugar, ground cumin, and sea salt in a jar, blender, or small bowl.

Mexican slaw dressing ingredients in a glass mason jar, ready to be mixed.

You can whisk, shake (if using a jar with a lid), or blend the dressing until it’s smooth and emulsified. This ensures all the flavors are perfectly combined.

Overhead shot of a bowl with coleslaw mix, diced jalapeno, and sliced red onion.

Next, in a large bowl, place the coleslaw mix, sliced red onion, and diced jalapeño.

Toss the vegetables together to evenly distribute the onion and jalapeño throughout the cabbage mix.

Pouring slaw dressing over a bowl of Mexican slaw ingredients.

Pour the prepared dressing over the coleslaw mixture.

Toss everything together until the slaw is evenly coated with the vibrant dressing.

Refrigerate the mexican slaw for at least one hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the cabbage to soften slightly, creating the perfect texture.

Just before serving, toss in the chopped fresh cilantro. Enjoy this refreshing and flavorful mexican slaw as a topping for your favorite tacos!

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Mexican Slaw

Taste and Adjust the Dressing: Before you pour the dressing over the vegetables, take a quick taste. Adjust the flavors to your preference. Need more tang? Add a squeeze more lime juice. Prefer it sweeter? Add a touch more sugar. Want more salt? You know what to do!
Spice it Up!: For those who love extra heat, add another diced jalapeño to the slaw. You can also kick up the dressing by adding a tablespoon or two of your favorite hot sauce.
Get Creative with Veggies: Feel free to customize your mexican slaw with other vegetables. Shredded carrots, diced red bell pepper, and thinly sliced green onions are all delicious additions that add color, flavor, and texture.

Serving Suggestions for Mexican Slaw

Mexican slaw is the ultimate taco topping, making it a must-have for Taco Tuesday (or any day you’re craving tacos!). Here are some delicious ways to serve it:

Taco Topping Extraordinaire: Pile it high on Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, Slow Cooker Beef Tacos, or Black Bean Tacos. The slaw adds a fantastic crunch and freshness that complements any taco filling.
Side Dish Sensation: Serve it as a vibrant side dish alongside my hearty Taco Casserole for a complete Mexican-inspired feast.
Grilled Meat Companion: Mexican slaw is also a fabulous side dish for grilled dishes. Try it with Grilled Chipotle Chicken, juicy Seared Flank Steak, or flavorful Southwest Chicken. The slaw’s coolness and tanginess cut through the richness of grilled meats perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mexican Slaw

What exactly is in Mexican coleslaw?

Mexican slaw is a delicious twist on classic coleslaw. The key difference is the dressing, which features citrus juices and warm spices instead of mayonnaise. Traditional mexican slaw ingredients include cabbage, red onion, jalapeño for a touch of spice, and fresh cilantro, all tossed in a vibrant dressing made with olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, and cumin.

Can I easily make my own coleslaw mix?

Absolutely! Making your own coleslaw mix is simple and allows you to customize the vegetables. Coleslaw mix is essentially shredded cabbage combined with shredded carrots. To make your own, simply combine shredded green cabbage and shredded red cabbage with grated carrots. You can adjust the ratios to your liking.

Is it possible to make Mexican slaw with mayonnaise?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe to include mayonnaise if you prefer a creamier slaw. Simply substitute about ¼ cup of mayonnaise (use your favorite brand!) for the olive oil in the dressing. For a lighter creamy option, you could also use a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise.

Tools You Might Need

Blender, Immersion Blender, or Jar with a Lid (for easily mixing the dressing)
Large Mixing Bowl (for tossing the slaw)

More Delicious Slaw Recipes to Explore

Another overhead shot of Mexican slaw in a bright blue serving bowl.

If you enjoyed this Mexican slaw recipe, be sure to check out my other flavorful slaw recipes! And if you try this recipe, don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating in the comments below – I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, Instagram, and PINTEREST for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration.

Print Recipe

15-Minute Mexican Slaw for Tacos Recipe Card

This easy Mexican Slaw recipe will quickly become your favorite taco topping. It’s a simple side dish that adds incredible flavor and texture to any taco night.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: Mexican slaw for tacos, taco slaw, mexican coleslaw, cabbage slaw

Servings: 6

Calories: 115kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 14-ounce package coleslaw mix
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

In a bowl, jar, or blender, combine the olive oil, lime juice, orange juice, brown sugar, cumin, and salt. Whisk, shake, or blend until smooth.
Place the coleslaw mix in a large bowl and combine with the sliced red onion and diced jalapeño.
Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and stir well to combine. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
Just before serving, toss with the fresh cilantro.

Nutrition

Filed Under: Gluten Free Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes