The BEST Cilantro Lime Slaw! This recipe is easy to prep with just a handful of ingredients and makes a fresh, creamy, flavorful side dish for any meal!

When it comes to side dishes, there’s something about a delicious coleslaw that always hits the spot. Whether it’s Hawaiian Coleslaw or Apple Cranberry Coleslaw or my insanely addictive Dill Pickle Coleslaw… there’s a slaw for every occasion. And this Cilantro Lime Coleslaw is my newest favorite!

It’s easy to make with simple ingredients like fresh cilantro, fresh squeezed lime juice, minced garlic and green onions. It makes the perfect side dish for any lunch or dinner, and is especially delicious anytime there are Mexican flavors involved.

I love how versatile this recipe is and the fact that you can easily spice it up or add an extra pop of flavor (see my suggestions below!) I also love how EASY it is to make and prep in advance!

what you’ll need for this recipe

Coleslaw mix – This recipe uses one 14 ounce bag of 3-Color Coleslaw, which can be found near the packaged salad mixes at your local grocery store. Alternately, you can use 6-7 cups of shredded cabbage.

Cilantro lime sauce – The key to this coleslaw is the cilantro lime sauce, which is a delicious combination of sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, garlic cloves, onion powder, salt and pepper. This can even be made in advance for easy, stress-free meal prep.

Green onions – Sliced green onions add delicious flavor and texture to this recipe. I used 3 green onions, but you can use more if you prefer. You can also substitute chopped white or red onion.

Fresh cilantro – Finally, additional fresh cilantro makes the perfect garnish for this slaw. Feel free to add a little or a lot, to taste.

how to make cilantro lime slaw

Slice the onions. Start by slicing the onions into small pieces, about 1/2 centimeter each. Set aside.

Make the sauce. Make the sauce by combining sour cream, lime juice, fresh cilantro, fresh garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Combine. Pour the coleslaw mix or cabbage into a large mixing bowl. Add the sauce and sliced onions and stir until completely mixed. Garnish with fresh cilantro as desired. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.

Recipe Variations

Substitute sliced green or purple cabbage for the coleslaw mix
Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
Add 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
Use red or white onion in place of green
Add 1-2 finely chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick
Add 1/2 teaspoon dried cumin
Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

what to eat with cilantro lime slaw

Cilantro Lime Slaw makes a delicious side dish for any meal, and these are some of our favorite recipes to combine it with:

Make Ahead Tip

This recipe is easy to prep in advance and throw together at mealtime. Simply make the cilantro lime sauce up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. You can also slice the onions in advance and refrigerate them in a small container or Ziploc bag. When you’re ready to serve, add the sauce and green onions to the coleslaw mix, stir well, and voila! Time to eat!