12 Crunchy Cabbage Slaw Recipes for Tacos & BBQ

Crunchy, fresh, and endlessly versatile — a great slaw can steal the whole meal. These 12 cabbage slaw recipes range from classic creamy to spicy Asian to tangy vinegar-based, perfect for tacos, BBQ, and sandwiches.

Each recipe below comes with a photo, a full ingredient list with quantities, and simple step-by-step instructions. Pin this post for later and let’s get cooking!

1. Classic Creamy Coleslaw

The timeless BBQ side — creamy, crunchy, and perfectly balanced.

Ingredients

• 1 small green cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp celery seed
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Shred the cabbage and grate the carrots into a large bowl.
2. Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss well.
4. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
5. Toss again before serving.
6. Keeps 3 days in the fridge.

2. Asian Sesame Slaw

Crunchy, nutty, and umami-packed — the slaw that goes with everything.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup edamame
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Combine both cabbages, edamame, and bell pepper in a large bowl.
2. Whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey.
3. Pour over the vegetables and toss thoroughly.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Rest 15 minutes before serving.
6. Great as a side or over rice bowls.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Slaw

Bright, tangy, and light — no mayo, all crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 small green cabbage, shredded
• 1 apple, julienned
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbage, apple, and onion in a large bowl.
2. Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, honey, mustard seeds, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour over the slaw and toss well.
4. Refrigerate 30 minutes to meld flavors.
5. Toss again before serving.
6. Perfect on pulled pork sandwiches.

4. Spicy Sriracha Slaw

Creamy with a kick — the slaw that wakes up tacos and burgers.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 red cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbages and carrots in a large bowl.
2. Whisk the mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, and honey.
3. Toss with the vegetables until evenly coated.
4. Refrigerate 20 minutes.
5. Adjust heat with more sriracha if desired.
6. Serve on fish tacos or burgers.

5. Mexican Street Corn Slaw

Elote meets coleslaw — smoky, cheesy, and irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbage, corn, and onion in a large bowl.
2. Whisk the mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder.
3. Toss with the vegetables.
4. Fold in the cotija cheese.
5. Chill 30 minutes before serving.
6. Garnish with extra chili powder and lime.

6. Pineapple Jalapeño Slaw

Sweet heat in crunchy form — a tropical twist for pork and fish tacos.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbage, pineapple, and jalapeño in a bowl.
2. Whisk the rice vinegar, honey, and salt.
3. Toss with the slaw.
4. Fold in the cilantro.
5. Rest 15 minutes.
6. Serve on carnitas or fish tacos.

7. Peanut Crunch Slaw

Creamy peanut dressing over maximum crunch — addictive doesn't cover it.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbage, carrots, and half the peanuts in a bowl.
2. Whisk the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, and honey until smooth.
3. Thin with 1-2 tablespoons of warm water if needed.
4. Toss with the vegetables.
5. Top with remaining peanuts and cilantro.
6. Serve immediately for maximum crunch.

8. Red Cabbage & Beet Slaw

Jewel-toned and gorgeous — the prettiest slaw you'll ever make.

Ingredients

• 1/2 red cabbage, shredded
• 1 roasted beet, julienned
• 1 apple, julienned
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted

Instructions

1. Combine the red cabbage, beet, and apple in a bowl.
2. Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss with the vegetables.
4. Rest 20 minutes to soften slightly.
5. Top with toasted walnuts.
6. Serve chilled.

9. Brussels Sprout Slaw

Shredded sprouts meet cranberries and almonds — the fall slaw of dreams.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, shredded
• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

1. Shred the Brussels sprouts and cabbage finely.
2. Combine with the cranberries and almonds in a large bowl.
3. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss with the slaw.
5. Rest 20 minutes before serving.
6. Keeps well for 2 days.

10. Honey Mustard Slaw

Sweet-tangy and creamy — the crowd-pleasing middle ground everyone loves.

Ingredients

• 1 small green cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup honey mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp celery seed

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
2. Whisk the mayonnaise, honey mustard, vinegar, and celery seed.
3. Toss with the vegetables until coated.
4. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
5. Toss again before serving.
6. Excellent on fried chicken sandwiches.

11. Taco Slaw with Lime Crema

Zesty lime crema over crunchy cabbage — taco night's best friend.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup corn
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp taco seasoning

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbages, corn, and onion in a bowl.
2. Whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and taco seasoning.
3. Toss with the vegetables.
4. Chill 20 minutes.
5. Serve on tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos.
6. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

12. Mediterranean Cabbage Slaw

Fresh, briny, and herb-packed — the Greek salad's crunchy cousin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp oregano

Instructions

1. Combine the cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, and onion in a bowl.
2. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss with the vegetables.
4. Fold in the feta.
5. Rest 15 minutes.
6. Serve chilled as a side or in pitas.

Which Will You Try First?

With 12 delicious options, there’s something here for every craving. Save this post, share it with a fellow food lover, and tell us your favorite in the comments!