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Coleslaw for Fish Tacos

4.50 from 2 votes
Weatherly Becker-GottliebBy Weatherly Becker-Gottlieb
Weatherly Becker-Gottlieb
Weatherly Becker-Gottlieb Food Writer

Weatherly is an MFA writer with decades of culinary experience both cooking & baking, with a penchant for nostalgia. She takes pride in taking a run-of-the-mill recipe and making it her own.

Expertise: Baking & Cooking View all posts →
Jump to Recipe

Give the perfect cool crunch to every bite of your fish tacos.

Coleslaw for fish tacos with shredded red and green cabbage and cilantro

Anyone who knows me is fully aware of my obsession with Taco Tuesday, one of my favorite dishes made on one of my favorite days of the week. Tacos are versatile and delicious, and they bring happiness with every bite. When I eat tacos, there are key ingredients that make the meal complete; the perfect protein, just the right amount of seasoning, and the slaw that pulls all the flavors together.

As much as I love a traditional taco, I am a native of Southern California, and we love a good fish taco here. Whether the fish is grilled or fried, the key ingredient that pulls everything together is the slaw, with its cool and refreshing crunch and a kick of citrus. I have tried many variations of slaw for my fish tacos, but when I made this recipe, I knew I had found the perfect combination of ingredients.

While fish tacos originated in Mexico, it was in Southern California that I believe they were perfected. The best slaw for fish tacos is debatable, but to me, the perfect slaw has a blend of green and red cabbage, some citrus, and some salt and pepper. This recipe only has seven simple ingredients and can be ready in under fifteen minutes.

Is Slaw for Fish Tacos Healthy?

Cabbage is your key ingredient and has numerous health benefits; it is low in calories and high in fiber, and also contains vitamins C and K. Cilantro, while used in small amounts in this recipe, is high in vitamins A, C, and K. This slaw recipe is completely vegan and gluten-free, making it perfect for most diets.

Ingredients for coleslaw for fish tacos: shredded cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, oil, salt, pepper

What Is the Difference Between Red and Green Cabbage?

Seeing a recipe call for red and green cabbage may make you wonder if there are differences between the two, other than color. Red cabbage has a more peppery flavor than green cabbage, which has a mellower and earthier taste. Red cabbage is also higher in vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and anthocyanins that give it the signature purple hue. So, while it may seem like the color is the only thing differentiating the two, that is not the case.

Coleslaw for fish tacos with shredded green and red cabbage and cilantro

How to Make Ahead and Store

The beauty of this slaw is that you can easily make a big batch and keep it in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will actually develop further if you let the slaw sit for at least an hour before eating. But if you prefer a strong crunch to your slaw, I advise you to use your slaw within 30 minutes of making it.

Fish tacos topped with purple cabbage coleslaw, avocado slices, and orange sauce

Serving Suggestions

As I have said before, this is the perfect slaw recipe for fish tacos, but that does not mean it is the only way to serve it. You can easily make this a topping on spicy dishes that you’d like to add a cooling crunch to, like this Jalapeño Popper Burger With Ranch or this Mini Meatloaf Recipe with Spicy Pineapple BBQ Sauce. This slaw is also great as a side dish for a picnic or barbecue, with main dishes like these Tandoori Crispy Baked Chicken Wings or these Oven Baked Ribs.

Fish tacos topped with purple cabbage coleslaw, avocado slices, and spicy sauce

Recipe

Coleslaw for Fish Tacos

4.50 from 2 votes
Print Rate
Serves: 8 servings
Coleslaw for fish tacos with shredded red and green cabbage and cilantro
Prep: 15 minutes minutes
Cook: 0 minutes minutes
0 minutes minutes
Total: 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, and cilantro.
    Slaw for Fish Tacos
  • Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
    Slaw for Fish Tacos
  • Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well to coat evenly. Let the slaw sit for about 10 minutes to marinate before serving.
    Slaw for Fish Tacos

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 43kcal (2%) Carbohydrates: 3g (1%) Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 4g (6%) Saturated Fat: 0.5g (3%) Sodium: 154mg (7%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%)

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Author: Weatherly Becker-Gottlieb
Course:Condiment
Cuisine:Mexican
Share your creationsTag @foodfaithfit and hashtag it #foodfaithfitness so I can see what you made!
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Healthy woman smiling, promoting wellness, fitness, and balanced lifestyle images for Food Faith Fitness.

About Weatherly Becker-GottliebBaking & Cooking

Weatherly is an MFA writer with decades of culinary experience both cooking & baking, with a penchant for nostalgia. She takes pride in taking a run-of-the-mill recipe and making it her own.

Reader Interactions

Paola Westbeek

✓Reviewed by Paola WestbeekGastronomy & Fine Wines

Published: Sep 17, 2024 | Updated: Mar 3, 2026
4.50 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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