Red Cabbage Slaw
Get ready to add a burst of freshness to your table with our garlic and lime-infused red cabbage slaw. It’s a flavor-packed side dish that you’ll serve with everything.
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This red cabbage slaw recipe is a great summer side dish. Other side dishes we love during the warmer months include this Mexican street corn salad and this cowboy caviar salad with rice. Yum!! Check out all of our side dish recipes for more inspiration.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Coleslaw recipes are a fantastic way to add more vegetables to your plate. This slaw also pairs well with many different dishes and tastes delicious.
- It is super easy to make. The refrigerator does most of the work.
- This cole slaw with red cabbage is naturally vegan and gluten-free. Bonus!
Ingredients
Find the complete ingredient list, with measurements, in the recipe card below.
- Red Cabbage – We love its crisp and crunchy texture, which is perfect for slaw. Not to mention the gorgeous color.
- Lime Juice – This helps to soften the cabbage and mellow out the garlic.
- Garlic – Finely minced, this adds a savory and aromatic flavor.
- Red Onion – These are a tad milder in taste than regular onions meaning they won’t overpower the recipe.
- Salt and Pepper – Super necessary to bring out the best in your ingredients.
Equipment
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife – These are used to prep the vegetables. We use a sharp chef’s knife.
- Large Bowl – For mixing and storing. Choose a bowl set that comes with airtight lids.
- AIRTIGHT + LEAK-PROOF - The four-side latching lid will keep the contents fresh for much longer.
Instructions
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the FULL recipe details.
Step 1
First, start by shredding the cabbage.
Add it to the mixing bowl.
Step 2
Next, thinly slice the red onions.
These go in the bowl with the cabbage.
Step 3
Then, we add the minced garlic.
Our recipe calls for three cloves of garlic, but we all know the old adage that you measure garlic with your heart. So, use your inner garlic guide for this amount.
Step 4
Next, the fresh lime juice.
Follow that up with a couple of pinches of sea salt and pepper.
Expert Tip!
Roll the lime on the counter before juicing it, gently pressing and rolling it back and forth under your palm. This helps to break down the fruit’s fibers, and after putting it to the test in the kitchen, we found it releases more juice.
Step 5
Finally, give the mixture a good toss.
You can use salad tongs, a couple of forks and spoons, or the ultimate tools: your hands!
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and pop it in the fridge. The cabbage needs a minimum of four hours to soften but overnight is even better.
Step 6
After it has had time to mellow and meld together, give it one last toss before serving.
See below for all kinds of suggestions of how and what to serve it with. It seriously goes with everything!
Substitutions
- You could use other cabbage, such as green or Napa cabbage, to switch up the flavors and textures in your slaw while still enjoying the zesty kick of garlic and lime.
- Instead of red onion, shallots also work really well in raw dishes like this.
Recipe Variations
- Add some fresh chopped cilantro and a tablespoon of honey to complement the garlic and lime with a hint of sweetness and a touch of freshness.
- Want a bit of extra crunch? Sprinkle on some chopped dry roasted almonds.
- Add a dollop of mayo to make a creamy version. Try our homemade lemon mayonnaise. Balance the richness with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard.
Serving Suggestions
- Our go-to keto meal is to pair it up with salsa, some shredded cheese, and a nice grilled steak or chili lime chicken.
- Serve it alongside barbecue dishes such as pulled pork. We like to create a family-style buffet with other sides like creamy pasta salad or Mexican street corn.
- Use it as a topping. It is a great red cabbage slaw for tacos. It can also complement sandwiches and burgers.
- It is a perfect side dish for these yummy slow cooker fajitas. You can prep it all at once!
- Grilled shrimp or halibut fish tacos would also pair quite nicely with this purple cabbage slaw. We love it with this tasty Blackened Shrimp recipe.
FAQS
Yes, this recipe is a healthy side dish, especially considering we use a simple marinade that has no added sugars or unhealthy fats. Red cabbage itself is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and adding other ingredients like garlic and onions only boosts its nutritional value.
We don’t recommend it. Freezing can significantly change the texture of the vegetables, making them mushy when thawed.
Storage Tips
To Store: If stored in an airtight container, it will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. However, the texture may become softer over time as the veggies release moisture. We don’t recommend freezing.
More BBQ Side Dish Recipes
**This recipe was originally posted on April 11, 2013. Updated on September 17, 2019, and updated again on April 24, 2024, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**
If you’ve tried this cabbage salad recipe, please rate it and let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment below. We’re always interested in feedback!
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Garlic Lime Red Cabbage Slaw
Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly shredded red cabbage *about half a head
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion *about half an onion
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
- ⅛ tsp fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Place the shredded cabbage, sliced onions, and minced garlic in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the lime juice over and add salt and pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours – up to overnight.
This turned out as a great recipe but I added Lime zest and a bit of red wine vinegar to up the sour. It turned out FANTABULOUS!!
Hey thanks! Sounds like great additions too. Have a great week. 🙂