If you’re looking for a vibrant, flavorful salad that brings a fiesta of colors and tastes to your table, you’ve got to try this Mexican Coleslaw Recipe. It’s a fresh twist on classic coleslaw, blending creamy, zesty, and slightly spicy elements in a way that makes every bite excite your taste buds. Perfect for family gatherings or casual meals, this coleslaw is more than just a side dish—it’s a celebration of textures and bold flavors that will quickly become your go-to recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Mexican Coleslaw Recipe is in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a key role in delivering that perfect balance of creaminess, tang, crunch, and spice. From fresh crunchy veggies to creamy dressing and bold spices, each element adds a layer of flavor and color that makes the dish truly unforgettable.
- Mayonnaise: Provides a creamy and rich base that ties the flavors together smoothly.
- Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess to brighten the dressing.
- Lime juice: Brings a fresh, zesty kick that cuts through the cream and lifts the whole salad.
- Taco seasoning: Infuses the coleslaw with warming spices essential to Mexican cuisine.
- Tri-color coleslaw mix: Offers a vibrant mix of shredded cabbage and carrots for crunch and color.
- Red bell pepper (diced): Adds a sweet, crisp bite with beautiful red hues.
- Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles (drained): Delivers zest and a subtle heat from the chiles for authentic flavor.
- Corn kernels (drained): Introduce slight sweetness and juicy bursts.
- Black beans (drained and rinsed): Bring in a hearty texture and a boost of protein.
- Jalapeno pepper (seeded and finely chopped): Adds just the right amount of spicy warmth to awaken the palate.
- Fresh cilantro (chopped): Gives a fresh herbal finish that brightens every bite.
How to Make Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Dressing
Grab a large bowl and stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco seasoning. This mixture is your flavor-packed dressing that will coat every ingredient beautifully. The lime juice and taco seasoning are what give it that signature Mexican flair.
Step 2: Combine the Vegetables and Beans
Add your tri-color coleslaw mix, diced red bell pepper, drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, corn kernels, black beans, chopped jalapeno, and fresh cilantro into the bowl with the dressing. You’re building layers of texture and flavor here—crunchy, creamy, spicy, and fresh all at once.
Step 3: Toss to Coat Everything Evenly
Using tongs or large spoons, gently toss the mixture to make sure every shred and kernel is beautifully coated in the creamy, zesty dressing. This step is crucial for balancing the flavors in each forkful.
Step 4: Chill and Let Flavors Marry
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together, making the dish even more delicious and refreshing.
How to Serve Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
Garnishes
For a final touch, sprinkle a few more chopped cilantro leaves and a light squeeze of lime juice right before serving. If you’re feeling adventurous, add thin slices of avocado on top for creamy richness that complements the tangy dressing perfectly.
Side Dishes
This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled meats like chicken or steak, adds a refreshing crunch to fish tacos, or acts as a fabulous side for your favorite nachos or quesadillas. It’s your perfect picnic companion or BBQ sidekick, brightening up any plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the coleslaw in individual cups or mason jars for a fun party presentation, or use it as a topping on tostadas or crunchy taco shells for a colorful and flavorful twist. Its vibrant colors and mix of textures also make it a fantastic salad base for adding grilled shrimp or sliced avocado for a complete meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because the vegetables retain their crunch and the creamy dressing stays fresh, leftovers often taste even better the next day once the flavors have fully married.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this coleslaw due to the fresh vegetables and creamy dressing, which can become watery or separate when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or stored in the fridge only.
Reheating
Since this is a cold salad, reheating is not necessary or recommended. Simply give it a good stir before serving if it has been refrigerated for a while, and enjoy the fresh, crisp flavors.
FAQs
Can I make this Mexican Coleslaw Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream with vegan alternatives like vegan mayo and cashew cream or plant-based sour cream. The rest of the ingredients are plant-based, so it’s an easy swap.
How spicy is this coleslaw?
The jalapeno and taco seasoning add a mild to moderate spice level, but you can easily adjust by reducing the jalapeno or using mild taco seasoning. If you like heat, leave the seeds in the jalapeno for extra kick!
Can I use regular cabbage instead of tri-color coleslaw mix?
Yes! Regular green or purple cabbage works perfectly. The tri-color mix just adds a bit more visual appeal and a small variety in flavor, but any shredded cabbage will give you that satisfying crunch.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as the taco seasoning you use does not contain gluten. Always check your seasoning labels to be safe.
How long does it take to prepare this coleslaw?
The active prep time is about 15 minutes, followed by at least 30 minutes of chilling in the fridge to allow the flavors to come together. Quick, easy, and totally worth the wait!
Final Thoughts
This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe is a colorful, flavorful, and easy side that effortlessly elevates any meal. Whether you’re serving it at a party, picnic, or weeknight dinner, its vibrant mix of ingredients and zesty dressing is sure to earn rave reviews. Give it a try—you might find your new favorite go-to salad for every occasion!
Print
Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
A refreshing and zesty Mexican Coleslaw featuring a creamy lime and taco seasoned dressing tossed with colorful vegetables and beans, perfect as a side dish or a light meal.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- â…” cup sour cream
- 3 Tbsp lime juice
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
Salad
- 1 (16-oz) bag tri-color coleslaw mix
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
- 1 (11-oz) can corn kernels, drained
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco seasoning until smoothly combined.
- Add the vegetables and beans: Incorporate the tri-color coleslaw mix, diced red bell pepper, drained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, corn kernels, chopped jalapeno pepper, and fresh cilantro to the dressing.
- Toss everything together: Gently toss to evenly coat all the vegetables and beans with the creamy dressing.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use freshly shredded cabbage instead of pre-packaged coleslaw mix.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno according to your preferred level of heat.
- This coleslaw pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or as a topping for tacos and sandwiches.
- Make ahead up to 24 hours and store covered in the refrigerator.
- Drain the canned ingredients well to prevent a watery coleslaw.
