This vibrant Mexican coleslaw combines fresh and colorful vegetables with a creamy, zesty dressing. It's perfect for adding a burst of flavor to any meal.
Some ingredients in this recipe, like jalapeno and cilantro, might not be commonly found in every household. When heading to the supermarket, make sure to grab these alongside taco seasoning, which adds a unique blend of spices to the dish.
Ingredients for Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
cabbage: Provides a crunchy base for the coleslaw.
black beans: Adds protein and a hearty texture.
corn kernels: Brings sweetness and additional crunch.
red bell pepper: Adds color and a sweet, crisp flavor.
jalapeno: Gives a spicy kick to the coleslaw.
avocado: Adds creaminess and healthy fats.
cilantro: Provides a fresh, herbaceous note.
mayonnaise: Forms the base of the creamy dressing.
sour cream: Adds tanginess to the dressing.
lime juice: Brings acidity and brightness to the coleslaw.
taco seasoning: Adds a mix of spices for a Mexican flair.
additional beans: Optional garnish for extra texture.
additional corn: Optional garnish for added sweetness.
additional peppers: Optional garnish for more color and flavor.
additional avocado: Optional garnish for extra creaminess.
additional cilantro: Optional garnish for a fresh touch.
One reader, Hi Montero says:
This Mexican coleslaw recipe is a game-changer! The creamy dressing with a hint of lime and taco seasoning perfectly complements the fresh veggies. The avocado adds a delightful creaminess. It's a vibrant, flavorful side dish that's sure to impress!
Key Techniques for Preparing Mexican Coleslaw
How to prepare cabbage: Shred the cabbage finely using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer. How to dice an avocado: Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and dice the flesh into small cubes. How to chop cilantro: Rinse the cilantro thoroughly, remove the stems, and chop the leaves finely. How to deseed and chop a jalapeno: Cut the jalapeno in half, remove the seeds and membranes, and chop the flesh finely.
How To Make Mexican Coleslaw
Give your coleslaw a refreshing twist. This Mexican coleslaw recipe is loaded with black beans, corn, jalapeno, and red pepper tossed with zesty dressing.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 14ozcabbagebag, shredded, or coleslaw mix
- 1cupblack beans
- ⅔cupcorn kernelsfresh, thawed from frozen, or canned
- 1red bell peppercored, seeded and diced
- 1jalapenoseeds and ribs removed, then minced
- 1avocadopeeled, seed removed and diced
- ⅓cupcilantrochopped
- ½cupmayonnaise
- ½cupsour cream
- 2tbsplime juice
- 1½tbsptaco seasoning
- additional beans, corn, peppers, avocado and cilantro for garnishoptional
Instructions
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Place the cabbage, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, jalapeno, avocado, and cilantro in a large bowl.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
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Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well combined.
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Serve, garnished with additional beans, corn, peppers, avocado, and cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 290.11kcal
- Fat: 18.26g
- Saturated Fat: 3.98g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 6.06g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.47g
- Carbohydrates: 25.95g
- Fiber: 7.64g
- Sugar: 4.03g
- Protein: 7.40g
- Cholesterol: 13.11mg
- Sodium: 219.68mg
- Calcium: 72.41mg
- Potassium: 686.71mg
- Iron: 1.89mg
- Vitamin A: 63.04µg
- Vitamin C: 43.64mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
When preparing the cabbage for the coleslaw, use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to achieve thin, even shreds. This ensures a more uniform texture and allows the dressing to coat each piece more thoroughly.
Time-Saving Tips for Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the cabbage, red bell pepper, and jalapeno in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Use canned beans and corn: Opt for canned black beans and corn kernels to save time on cooking and prepping.
Ready-made taco seasoning: Use store-bought taco seasoning instead of making your own blend.
Pre-make the dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco seasoning ahead of time and refrigerate.
Garnish last minute: Prepare additional beans, corn, peppers, avocado, and cilantro for garnish just before serving.
Substitute Ingredients For Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
cabbage - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar crunch and can be used raw, just like cabbage.
black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a good alternative.
corn kernels - Substitute with peas: Peas offer a sweet flavor and similar texture, making them a suitable replacement.
red bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers have a similar sweetness and crunch, providing the same vibrant color.
jalapeno - Substitute with serrano pepper: Serrano peppers offer a similar heat level and flavor, making them a good substitute.
avocado - Substitute with guacamole: Guacamole can provide the creamy texture and flavor of fresh avocado.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley offers a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can stand in for cilantro.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it a healthier alternative.
sour cream - Substitute with creme fraiche: Creme fraiche has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a good substitute.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a suitable replacement.
taco seasoning - Substitute with chili powder and cumin: A mix of chili powder and cumin can replicate the flavors found in taco seasoning.
Impressive Presentation Ideas for Mexican Coleslaw
Use a large, flat white plate: This will allow the vibrant colors of the cabbage, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, jalapeno, and avocado to stand out, creating a visually appealing presentation.
Create a base layer: Spread a thin layer of the dressed cabbage mixture evenly across the plate, ensuring it covers the entire surface but remains flat.
Add height and texture: Pile a generous portion of the coleslaw in the center of the plate, creating a slight mound. This adds dimension and makes the dish look more enticing.
Garnish with precision: Artfully place additional black beans, corn, red bell pepper, avocado, and cilantro around the mound. Ensure the garnishes are evenly distributed and not clumped together.
Drizzle with dressing: Lightly drizzle some of the remaining dressing over the top of the coleslaw, adding a glossy finish and extra flavor.
Add a pop of color: Place a few thin slices of jalapeno on top for a touch of green and a hint of spice. This will also add a fresh, vibrant look to the dish.
Finish with a lime wedge: Add a small wedge of lime on the side of the plate. This not only enhances the presentation but also allows diners to add an extra squeeze of lime juice if desired.
Clean the plate edges: Ensure the edges of the plate are spotless. Use a clean cloth to wipe away any stray dressing or ingredients for a professional finish.
Serve immediately: Present the dish promptly to maintain the freshness and crispness of the ingredients.
Essential Tools for Making Mexican Coleslaw
Large bowl: To combine the cabbage, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, jalapeno, avocado, and cilantro.
Small bowl: For whisking together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
Whisk: To mix the dressing ingredients until smooth and well combined.
Knife: For chopping the red bell pepper, jalapeno, avocado, and cilantro.
Cutting board: To provide a safe surface for chopping the vegetables and herbs.
Measuring cups: To measure out the black beans, corn kernels, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice.
Measuring spoons: To measure the taco seasoning accurately.
Tongs: To toss the cabbage mixture with the dressing evenly.
Serving platter: To present the coleslaw attractively, garnished with additional beans, corn, peppers, avocado, and cilantro.
Storing and Freezing Mexican Coleslaw
- This Mexican coleslaw is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Keep in mind that the longer the coleslaw sits, the more liquid will be released from the vegetables, which can make the slaw watery. To minimize this, you can store the cabbage mixture and the dressing separately and combine them just before serving.
- If you want to make this coleslaw ahead of time, prepare the vegetables and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Mix the dressing ingredients separately and store in another airtight container in the refrigerator. Combine the two just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing this Mexican coleslaw is not recommended, as the vegetables will lose their crunch and become soggy when thawed. The dressing may also separate and become watery, resulting in an unappetizing texture.
- If you have any leftover avocado, store it separately from the coleslaw. Brush the surface with lime juice or place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent browning. Use within 1-2 days for the best quality.
Interesting Fact About Mexican Coleslaw
A fun fact about this Mexican coleslaw recipe is that it incorporates avocado, which adds a creamy texture and healthy fats. This twist on traditional coleslaw brings a vibrant mix of flavors and nutrients, making it a refreshing and nutritious side dish.
Is This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe Budget-Friendly?
This Mexican coleslaw recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like cabbage, black beans, corn, and red bell pepper are affordable and widely available. The avocado might be slightly pricier, but it adds a rich, creamy texture. The mayonnaise and sour cream are common pantry staples. Overall, this recipe scores an 8 out of 10 for cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $12-$15 USD.
Is Mexican Coleslaw Healthy or Unhealthy?
This Mexican coleslaw recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes nutrient-dense ingredients like:
- Cabbage, which is rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants
- Black beans, providing protein, fiber, and various minerals
- Corn, offering fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Bell pepper and jalapeno, packed with vitamins A and C
- Avocado, a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins
- Cilantro, containing antioxidants and vitamins A and K
However, the dressing, which consists of mayonnaise, sour cream, and taco seasoning, may be high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, making it less healthy.
To make this recipe healthier, consider these suggestions:
- Replace half or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lower-fat, protein-rich alternative
- Use a reduced-fat sour cream or replace it with additional Greek yogurt
- Increase the amount of lime juice to add more flavor while reducing the need for excessive dressing
- Make your own taco seasoning to control the sodium content and avoid any unnecessary additives
- Add more vegetables, such as diced tomatoes or shredded carrots, to increase the nutrient density and fiber content of the dish
- Use a combination of Greek yogurt and mashed avocado for a creamy, heart-healthy dressing alternative
Editor's Opinion on This Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
This Mexican coleslaw recipe is a vibrant twist on the classic, combining the crunch of cabbage with the heartiness of black beans and corn. The red bell pepper and jalapeno add a delightful kick, while the creamy avocado balances the flavors. The cilantro infuses a fresh, herbaceous note. The dressing, a blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and taco seasoning, ties everything together with a zesty, creamy finish. Garnishing with additional ingredients enhances the presentation and texture. Overall, it's a refreshing, flavorful side dish perfect for any Mexican-inspired meal.
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Why trust this Mexican Coleslaw Recipe:
This Mexican coleslaw recipe is a delightful blend of cabbage, black beans, corn, and avocado, offering a vibrant and nutritious dish. The creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice adds a tangy twist, while the taco seasoning brings a burst of flavor. Perfect for any occasion, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees a refreshing and satisfying side dish. Trust in the combination of fresh ingredients and bold flavors to elevate your meal.
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