Skip to Content

Slaw for Fish Tacos

Sharing is caring!

This cabbage slaw for fish tacos is super easy to make and adds lots of flavor and crunch to your tacos!

A great taco is made with the best toppings - to offset your fish or shrimp, you need the all-important crunch factor.

This easy slaw is great on shrimp tacos, and fish tacos (like mahi mahi tacos or blackened tilapia tacos).

An overhead shot of a glass mixing bowl with slaw.
Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Cabbage Slaw

Cabbage slaw is super easy to make and it has just the right bite to make an excellent topping or side dish for Taco Tuesday.

This recipe uses mayo for creaminess, cumin for heat and depth, and chopped green onions and cilantro for bright, green flavor.

It tastes great with both flour tortillas and corn tortillas and is great with white fish, salmon, and shrimp.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious crunchy slaw for your favorite fish tacos.

Sliced red and green cabbage, a lime, cilantro, mayonnase, spices, green onion, garlic, and salt.
  • Shredded Purple Cabbage (also called red cabbage)
  • Shredded Green Cabbage
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Mayonnaise
  • Green Onions
  • Fresh Lime Juice (optional lime zest as well)
  • Sea Salt
  • Ground Cumin
  • Ground Black Pepper

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Combine the shredded cabbage and the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir till fully incorporated and all the cabbage is covered.

A mixing bowl with slaw for fish tacos.

Use immediately on tacos or save in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

A closeup shot of cabbage slaw.

Substitutions & Variations

Here are some optional changes you can make to this creamy cabbage slaw

  • Spices - if you want to add some heat to the slaw, add ½ teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper. You can also add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder for more flavor.
  • Yogurt - if you'd like less fat in this recipe, you can swap the mayonnaise for greek yogurt.
  • Sour Cream - if you'd like to add a little tang to this slaw, use 2 tablespoons of sour cream and 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise or 1 tablespoon of olive oil (instead of 3 tablespoons of mayo).
  • Onion - if you want some allium flavor, add half a small red onion (finely sliced) or ¼ cup of chopped green onions.
  • Slaw Mix - if you want to make this recipe even faster, use a bag of prepped chopped cabbage (or a bag of coleslaw mix) instead of slicing your own cabbage.

Tips for Making this Recipe

Links on some posts are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Prep Ingredients - If you are in a hurry, you can use a food processor to chop your cabbage quickly!

Recommended Tools - You can use a mandoline to shave your cabbage faster or just use a large chef's knife!

Storage - You can save this cabbage slaw in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. However, it is the crispiest right after you make it.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Connect with us on Instagram and share your photos or leave us a rating.

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

Cabbage Slaw for Tacos

Cabbage Slaw for Tacos

This cabbage slaw for fish tacos recipe is a crunchy and delicious topping!

Prep Time 8 minutes
Additional Time 2 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ pound shredded purple cabbage
  • ½ pound shredded green cabbage
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 green onions, diced
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir till fully incorporated and all the cabbage is covered.
  2. Use immediately on tacos or save in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 606mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g

Jessica

Wednesday 10th of August 2022

Thank you for an amazing slaw recipe! Last summer we went to visit our youngest daughters father-in-law in Kodiak, AK and he took us halibut fishing. I’ve never made fish tacos before and was skeptical about trying to make them. Your slaw recipe along with a fish sauce recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen, have made my fish tacos a hit with the entire family! Even our granddaughters love it! So thank you for helping this grandma create an amazing yet simple and delicious meal for her ever growing family!❤️

Skip to Recipe