Fresh Zesty Coleslaw

Featured in Crisp garden salads with zingy dressings.

Bring bold, fresh flavors to your plate with this vibrant slaw. Loaded with crisp cabbage and carrots, roasted corn, black beans, and a creamy lime-spiked dressing, it's irresistible on tacos or paired with grilled meats.
alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:22:18 GMT
A vibrant bowl of slaw with charred corn, black beans, crisp veggies, and fresh greens. Pin it
A vibrant bowl of slaw with charred corn, black beans, crisp veggies, and fresh greens. | tasteofsavor.com

Brighten up any meal with this crunchy and tangy Mexican-style slaw. It's loaded with all sorts of fresh veggies, black beans, golden corn right off the grill, and a creamy lime dressing. Scoop it next to tacos, toss it on your burgers, or serve with grilled chicken—everyone's gonna dig in. You won't believe how fast it comes together! Ten minutes. That's all it takes.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice: Punches up all the flavors and keeps things super bright.
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning: Tons of savory spice, just toss it right in for instant flavor.
  • 1/4 cup sour cream: Makes the dressing creamy and smooth, adds a touch of tang.
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise: This keeps everything rich and gives a silky illusion to the dressing.
  • 1 jalapeño, minced: Gives it that kick—use less if you don't want the heat or go wild if you do.
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro: Adds that unmistakable freshness that makes the salad pop.
  • 1/2 cup corn (charred or grilled): Adds a bit of sweet smokiness. Just toss fresh corn on the grill or skillet quickly.
  • 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained: Fills it out with protein and gives more bite.
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper: Sweet and colorful, these little guys brighten things visually and flavor-wise.
  • 14-ounce bag coleslaw mix: Grab a mix of cabbage and carrots already shredded—saves loads of time!

VARIATIONS

  • Fruit on Top: Want some sweetness? Dice up some pineapple or mango and toss it in.
  • Add Avocado: For extra creaminess, gently fold in chunks of avocado before serving.
  • No Dairy Needed: Out of sour cream? Use your favorite plant-based yogurt or skip it if you want things lighter.
  • Extra Heat: Feel like cranking up the spice? Add more jalapeños or try some cayenne.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 4:
Chill your finished slaw in the fridge for half an hour to let everything mingle. Or if you're hungry now, just dish it up right away.
Step 3:
Pour your creamy dressing on top of the veggie mix. Stir it up until every bit is coated nicely.
Step 2:
Whisk up the mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning, and lime juice in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 1:
Grab a big bowl and pile in the slaw mix, peppers, beans, grilled corn, cilantro, and diced jalapeño. Mix it up well.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Toss this slaw in the fridge and serve it chilled—it’s awesome beside burgers, grilled meats, or tacos. Makes a killer topping, too!
  • Making it ahead? No problem. Just pop it in the fridge for a few hours so the flavors come together.
  • Leftovers will keep in a covered container in the fridge for a day or two. Stir before eating to perk things up.

Tips from well-known chefs

  • Chef Pati Jinich: "A handful of chopped pineapple or mango tossed in at the end brings out a juicy, tropical vibe that’s so tasty!"
  • Chef Bobby Flay: "Char your corn right over a grill; that little bit of smoke flavor totally amps up the whole salad."
  • Chef Rick Bayless: "Don’t skimp on fresh lime juice. It keeps everything tasting lively and lifts up the creamy dressing."

Fresh Zesty Coleslaw

Crunchy slaw mix, smoky corn, hearty beans, and a limey kick make this coleslaw a hit. Perfect add-on for BBQs, tacos, or weeknight dinners!

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 A 14-ounce bag of shredded cabbage.
02 Half a cup of diced bell pepper.
03 1/2 cup of rinsed black beans.
04 Charred or grilled corn, 1/2 cup.
05 Cilantro, chopped finely, about half a cup.
06 One minced jalapeño.
07 3/4 cup of mayonnaise.
08 1/4 cup of sour cream.
09 One and a half tablespoons taco spice mix.
10 Two tablespoons of fresh lime juice.

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a big bowl and toss together the cabbage, bell pepper, black beans, grilled corn, cilantro, and jalapeño.

Step 02

In a small bowl, mix the mayo, lime juice, taco seasoning, and sour cream until smooth and creamy.

Step 03

Pour the dressing over the veggies and beans. Mix well so everything is evenly coated.

Step 04

You can enjoy it right away or pop it in the fridge for half an hour to boost the flavor before eating.

Notes

  1. This zesty coleslaw is a bright and tangy side that’s a hit with tacos, burgers, and grilled dishes. Great for parties or family meals!
  2. Make it ahead of time—it lasts up to two days in the fridge.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
  • Protein: 2 g