Cilantro Lime Bacon Coleslaw

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Cilantro lime bacon coleslaw is the ultimate addition to your next taco night or summer barbecue. Shredded cabbage is tossed with zesty cilantro lime goodness and crispy bacon bits for a mouthwatering and highly addictive slaw.

Cilantro lime bacon coleslaw in a large white bowl with a spoon.

Bowls of guacamole and pico de gallo are taco night essentials. But when it comes to fish tacos (especially my shrimp tacos), this cilantro lime bacon coleslaw is a no brainer topping. It’s bright, refreshing, and the crispy bacon bits work amazingly in this slaw.

Coleslaw is one of my favorite summer recipes because you can serve it up as a side dish, a salad, or a topping on tacos, burgers, and more. It’s incredibly versatile, like a blank canvas for flavors, and you’ve seen me make a creamy coleslaw (the classic recipe) and a vinegar coleslaw (with no mayo). But you know I’m a sucker for anything “cilantro lime!”

Ingredients for cilantro lime bacon coleslaw on a table.

Cilantro Lime Bacon Slaw Ingredients

With just a handful of ingredients, this coleslaw comes together in a cinch!

  • Bacon: Master super crispy bacon bits with my oven baked recipe!
  • Cabbage: I’m using green cabbage, but feel free to add in some red cabbage for a pop of color.
  • Cilantro: You’ll need just 2 cups of lightly packed cilantro leaves.
  • Lime Juice: As always, fresh squeezed lime juice is always best!
  • Olive Oil: Helps to coat the cabbage in cilantro lime goodness.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

4 Ways To Shred Cabbage

While it might be tempting to buy the pre-chopped coleslaw bag – fresh is the way to go. You’ll get much better results when it comes to both flavor and texture! Here’s a few ways to do it:

  • Knife: Slice the cabbage in half, then into wedges. From there, slice along the vertical edge to make longer pieces or horizontally for shorter pieces.
  • Mandolin: Once you’ve cut your cabbage into wedges, slice the with the cut edge down.
  • Spiralizer: This is one of my favorites to slice in mere seconds! For an extra-large cabbage you may need to cut it in half. But for an average-sized one, just pop on the straight blade and twirl away.
  • Box Grater: Don’t have the above tools? Don’t worry, a box grater will do! Just make sure to use the side with large holes on your grater.

Process of making cilantro lime bacon coleslaw

How To Make Cilantro Lime Bacon Coleslaw

  • Bake the bacon. Just pop it in the oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until crispy.
  • Shred the cabbage. Using one of the above methods, shred the cabbage and toss it into a large mixing bowl. Add in the chopped cilantro as well.
  • Make the dressing. Whisk together the oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, and drizzle it over the slaw.
  • Toss it all together. Crumble in the bacon, give it a toss, and there you have it!

Ways To Use This Slaw

This slaw is the perfect way to add some fresh, zesty flavors to your meal. Personally, this is my favorite coleslaw for shrimp tacos. But here’s a few other ways to make the most of it.

A bowl of cilantro lime bacon coleslaw with a spoon.

How To Store Coleslaw

Whether you’re making this for your weeknight dinner or an upcoming party, this slaw will keep for 3-5 days in the fridge. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to retain its freshness.

Are You A Cilantro Lime Lover?

I’ve got a few more delicious ways to incorporate this fresh and zesty flavor into your everyday meals!

If you make this cilantro lime bacon slaw, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

A bowl of cilantro lime bacon coleslaw next to limes.

Cilantro Lime Bacon Coleslaw

5 from 15 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

This zesty coleslaw is the perfect taco topping! Shredded cabbage is tossed with cilantro lime goodness and savory, crispy bacon bits.

Ingredients 
 

  • 8 ounce bacon
  • 1/4 head of green cabbage, finely shredded
  • 2 cups (not packed) cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the bacon slices side-by-side on the tray. Then cook the bacon for 18-20 minutes or until it's reached your desired level of crispiness. Remove the tray from the oven and transfer the bacon with tongs to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • In a medium bowl, add the cabbage, cilantro, and crumbled bacon.
    Mixing cilantro lime bacon coleslaw in a bowl.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Then pour the dressing over the slaw.
    Tossing together cilantro lime bacon coleslaw in a bowl.
  • Toss everything together and serve in a large bowl.

Lisa's Tips

  • You can slice the cabbage different ways depending on how you plan on serving this recipe. In these photos, I've sliced the cabbage chunkier, like a salad, but if you take a look at my shrimp taco recipe I've thinly shredded it as a topping. 
  • This is a relatively small portion of slaw (as I use it primarily as a taco topping), but you can always double the recipe for a larger portion or crowd. This has about 4 servings as a salad, but can top about 12 tacos in smaller amounts. 

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 227mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 208IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Coleslaw, shrimp tacos, Slaw recipe
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

5 from 15 votes

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Recipe Rating




31 Comments

  1. This is SO good: great texture with the crispy bacon, the meaty cabbage softened by the oil and fresh lime juice. When you take a mouthful, you just want another one right away! A great variation on coleslaw.5 stars

  2. This coleslaw is hands down my favorite to add to different dishes! From your shrimp tacos, breakfast eggs nest and baked sweet potato with bbq chicken!!! I did add onion to go along with bbq chicken and sweet potato!! So amazingly delicious!!! As always your recipes are fantastic!! By cooking your recipes I’m becoming healthier and relieving autoimmune disease symptoms and lymes disease symptoms!! Your recipes have changed my life!! Thank you, Lisa!!!

    1. I’m so thrilled you love this coleslaw recipe, Heather! It’s one of my personal favorites as well. :) And I’m glad you’ve been enjoying many of my other recipes as well!

  3. Just taste tested as my carne asada grills. So delicious! Will be another amazing Downshiftology meal and the left overs will be amazing throughout the week.5 stars

  4. Another delicious recipe, Lisa!! I served this unusual slaw with smoked pulled pork over sweet potatoes for our crowd of adult kids and I swear, I think someone licked the bowl! (might or might not have been me)
    A new staple, for sure! Thank you for being so consistent in your excellent recipes. I know whatever of your recipes  I prepare , it will be a crowd pleaser! 5 stars

  5. Soooo…. I’ve made this before with the bacon, so delicious! This time I didn’t add the bacon because I served it with your carnitas and your cauliflower rice which I made with a Mexican flare… cumin, coriander, cilantro and chili powder. I love your recipes and how versatile they are! You can switch things up and it’s always yummy!! Thanks so much! ❤️ 5 stars

  6. Made this and it is so nice and refreshing. I am always looking for more low carb salads, so thank you very much for the recipe! 5 stars

  7. Oh my gosh this recipe is delicious! I had missed it as part of your shrimp tacos, so glad you added it separately! This was a delicious side dish to add to a lunch. It is incredibly fresh and light tasting, I will definitely be making it again.5 stars

    1. Love this coleslaw! It’s so fresh and tasty. I also added red onion for color/taste and loved that addition as well! Thank you for sharing!5 stars

  8. Hey shorty!! Love your website. I hope you’ll do a bok choy recipe sometime without all that gross processed saucy oily peanuty stuff I found in other recipes. You’re my go-to for healthy recipes! I heard it’s really high in calcium!

    1. Hi there! I actually have a Garlic Ginger Bok Choy recipe on my website :) You can find it through the search bar.