Mexican Coleslaw is a flavorful twist on the classic side dish that is sure to impress anyone who tries it. This easy-to-make dish combines the crunch of traditional coleslaw with the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine.
By adding corn, tomatoes, beans, jalapeno, and a citrus dressing, this cilantro lime coleslaw is a delicious and unique side that pairs perfectly with any Mexican-inspired meal. Why settle for plain old coleslaw when you can take it up a notch with this delicious Mexican slaw?
Mexican Cuisine Influence
Mexican cuisine has had a significant impact on the culinary world, and it continues to influence many dishes today. One such dish is coleslaw, which has been given a tasty twist with the addition of Mexican ingredients.
Our coleslaw recipe includes corn, tomatoes, beans, jalapenos, and a citrus dressing. These ingredients add a burst of flavor and texture to the classic side dish, making it a perfect complement to any Mexican-inspired meal. The addition of beans and corn also adds a nutritional boost to the dish, as they are both excellent sources of fiber and protein. The jalapenos provide a spicy kick, while the citrus dressing adds a tangy sweetness that balances out the heat.
Whether you’re serving it alongside tacos, enchiladas, or any other Mexican dish, this flavorful side is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Why you’ll LOVE this Coleslaw Recipe
- Simple ingredients. This recipe is made using very simple and easy to find ingredients. Most of them are in the produce section of your local grocery store or found amongst the spices in your pantry.
- Fast prep. Chopping veggies and stirring the dressing won’t take too long and this coleslaw can be eaten immediately or after it has had a little time to chill in the fridge. So whether you are looking for fast prep or fast to serve, this dish is definitely it!
- Customizable. You can adjust the ingredients to suit your own tastes or needs. Check out the ingredients list for easy substitution ideas you may enjoy.
Mexican Coleslaw Ingredients
Coleslaw mix: You will need one 14-ounce bag of shredded coleslaw mix. You can use the regular blend, the blend with red cabbage, or even the broccoli slaw mixture. Whatever your preference it will taste great.
Pepper: Use ½ of a red or green pepper, depending on what you prefer, diced into small piece.
Corn: For more color and added nutrition, add in ½ cup of corn, fresh, frozen or canned.
Tomatoes: Adding ½ cup of cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered, will add a burst of freshness to the coleslaw.
Black beans: To add some amazing taste and protein to this dish, use ½ cup of black beans, rinsed.
Jalapeno: For a little kick of heat use 1 jalapeno that was diced and seeded. Fresh or pickled jalapenos can also be used.
Cilantro: Add in ½ cup of cilantro for more incredible flavor.
Green onion: You will want to use 1 green onion that was diced into small pieces, but you can use any onion that you prefer or have on hand.
Coleslaw dressing
Mayo: For the dressing, you will want ½ cup of mayonnaise for a nice creamy base.
Lime juice: Add in 3 tablespoons of lime juice for a fresh citrus flavor.
Garlic powder: Using ½ teaspoon of garlic powder will make the dressing taste incredible.
Sugar: To cut down on some of the acidic flavors, you will want to use 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Cumin: By adding in ½ teaspoon of cumin you get a nice dressing taste.
Chili powder: Add ½ teaspoon of chili powder for a kick of heat in every bite.
Salt: Using ¼ teaspoon of salt brings out the flavors and enhances the dish well.
Lime: For garnishes, you will want to use freshly sliced lime wedges.
How to Make Mexican Coleslaw
Salad prep
Begin by preparing your vegetables, dice the pepper into small pieces, ready the corn by either draining the can or cutting the corn off the cob, quarter the tomatoes, dice and seed the jalapeno, dice the cilantro, and lastly chop the green onion.
Then in a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mixture, red peppers, corn, tomatoes, (drained) black beans, jalapeno, cilantro, and onion until well mixed.
Dressing
In a medium size bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, sugar, cumin, chili powder, and salt with a whisk.
Proceed to pour the dressing over the top of the coleslaw mixture and toss well to combine.
Garnish with some fresh lime wedges if desired.
Serve and enjoy!
Variations and Substitutes for Coleslaw
Mexican coleslaw is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Here are some variations and substitutes to consider:
- Spice level: Adjust the heat by adding more or less jalapeno, or substituting it with a milder pepper like poblano or bell pepper. For those who can’t handle spicy food, omit the jalapeno altogether and add some sweetness with diced pineapple or mango.
- Gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but if you’re serving it to guests with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, make sure to use certified gluten-free ingredients such as canned beans and corn.
- Protein boost: Add some protein to this side dish by tossing in some cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu. You can also substitute the beans with blackened corn or grilled zucchini.
Mexican Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 14 oz shredded coleslaw mix
- ½ red pepper diced
- ½ cup corn fresh or canned
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- ½ cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 jalapeno diced and seeded
- ½ cup cilantro leaves chopped
- 1 green onion sliced
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 TBSP fresh lime juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Salad prep: Prep your vegetables, dice the pepper into small pieces, ready the corn by either draining the can or cutting the corn off the cob, quarter the tomatoes, dice and seed the jalapeno, dice the cilantro, and lastly chop the green onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mixture, red peppers, corn, tomatoes, (drained) black beans, jalapeno, cilantro, and onion until well mixed.
- Dressing: In a medium size bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, sugar, cumin, chili powder, and salt with a whisk. Pour the dressing over the top of the coleslaw mixture and toss well to combine.
- Garnish with some fresh lime wedges if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
📫 Save this recipe! Send it to your email! 📩
I consent to receiving emails from this site.
Can I Make Mexican Coleslaw into a meal?
Cold dinner dishes as a main dish instead of a side dish? Absolutely! this recipe is very filling as-is but if you want you can add in some shredded cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken) to turn it from a simple side dish to a flavorful main dish worthy of any night.
How long is this coleslaw good for?
You can keep this coleslaw recipe in the fridge in a well covered or airtight container for up to 5 days. This is great for meal prepping lunches throughout the week or making sure you get plenty of time to enjoy the leftovers.
Serving Suggestions for Mexican Coleslaw
This recipe for coleslaw is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. It can be a side dish for your favorite Mexican meal, a topping for tacos or burgers, or even a main dish with added protein like chicken or shrimp. It’s best served chilled, so make sure to keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
What is a healthy substitution for mayonnaise in coleslaw?
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to mayonnaise, try using Greek yogurt or sour cream instead. You can also use avocado or olive oil to make a creamy dressing. Another option is to skip the creamy dressing altogether and use a vinaigrette made with olive oil, lime juice, and spices. This will give your coleslaw a lighter, fresher taste.
Check out these other fabulous side dish recipes!
- BLT PASTA SALAD
- SCALLOPED CORN CASSEROLE
- CAST IRON SKILLET POTATOES
- CRISPY ROASTED ROSEMARY POTATOES
- MAPLE PECAN SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
- ZUCCHINI RISOTTO
- HOMEMADE CREAMED CORN
- BUTTERY SOUTHERN CORN CASSEROLE
- BLUEBERRY JELLO SALAD
- TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
- ORANGE GLAZED CARROTS
- BAKED BEANS WITH BACON
- GARDEN VEGETABLE CAPRESE SALAD
- SAUSAGE BAKED BEANS
- CREAMY PARMESAN POTATOES & PEAS
- CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE
- BAKED ZUCCHINI PARMESEAN CASSEROLE
Mexican Coleslaw is a tasty and spicy twist on this classic side dish. Take the standard coleslaw up a notch with this easy mexican coleslaw by adding corn, tomatoes, beans, jalapeno, and a great citrus dressing.
Leave a Reply