By: Jill Mills Updated: Aug 16, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Cool, crispy, and creamy, this Cilantro Lime Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish that adds a punch of flavor to any plate. Made with just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep!

I make coleslaw pretty regularly throughout the summer. It’s one of those sides that’s easy to prep, can be made in advance, and goes well with basically everything. This cilantro lime coleslaw is one of my favorites as it requires just a few ingredients but it’s bursting with flavor.

Love coleslaw too? Be sure to check out our other variations, like KFC coleslaw, pineapple coleslaw, and jalapeno coleslaw.

Why You’ll Love This Cilantro Lime Coleslaw Recipe

My family can’t get enough of this recipe! Here are a few reasons why.

Bright, refreshing flavor. Cilantro + lime means this coleslaw is bursting with fresh flavor. The earthy cilantro and citrus flavors cut through the creaminess of the mayo dressing.
Quick and easy. This recipe begins with a bag of coleslaw mix so the prep takes just a few minutes. I just recommend making it a few hours in advance so it has time to chill.
Side dish or topping. This cilantro lime coleslaw makes a great addition to BBQ night or any summer cookouts as a side dish. We also like to add it to sandwiches, like our BBQ pulled chicken, as a topping.

Recipe Ingredients

This side dish is made with just 5 main ingredients plus a handful of spices. Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.

Coleslaw mix – For ease, I use a bag of coleslaw mix for this recipe. However, you can absolutely shred the veggies yourself as desired.
Cilantro – The star ingredients of the cilantro lime coleslaw. Be sure to use fresh cilantro that’s bright green with no wilting or brown spots on the leaves.
Mayonnaise & sour cream – Using both makes the coleslaw creamy without being too rich or heavy, as the tangy sour cream balance out the mayo.
Lime – Fresh lime is key to this recipe. You’ll need both lime juice and lime zest. The zest helps add more lime flavor without adding too much liquid.
Spices – Ground cumin, garlic powdered, cayenne, salt, and black pepper season the lime cilantro coleslaw.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Coleslaw

Since we’re starting with a bag of coleslaw, this recipe takes just a few minutes to prep. I recommend leaving plenty of time for it to chill though! You can find the printable instructions in the recipe card below.

Make the dressing. Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend all of the ingredients except for the coleslaw mix.
Combine. Pour the dressing over the coleslaw in a large bowl. Toss to coat.
Chill. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.

Tips & Variations

Here are some things to keep in mind when making your lime cilantro coleslaw.

Let chill before serving. I highly recommend chilling the coleslaw for at least 2 hours to give the flavors in the dressing time to meld.
Blend the dressing well. Whether you use an immersion blender or food processor, you want to be sure to blend the sauce until the cilantro is in small pieces and well distributed.
Adjust the amount of dressing. I think this recipe makes the perfect amount of dressing – not so much that the it’s on the runny side but not so little that it’s dry. That said, if you prefer a drier coleslaw, you can omit a bit of the dressing.
Taste test before serving. I always like to give this coleslaw a stir and a taste test after it’s chill, just to check that it doesn’t need more salt, pepper, or a bit of extra lime.

Ways to Serve It

This cilantro lime coleslaw makes an excellent side dish to BBQ meats and other potluck dishes but I also love to use it as a topping.

It’s great on pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, and even tacos!

Proper Storage

Leftover lime cilantro coleslaw should be kept in an airtight container or covered with plastic in the fridge. It will stay good for 3-4 days. Just give it a good stir before serving.