If you’re looking for a fresh dip that celebrates the best of cabbage (coleslaw) with a spicy kick, then this is the dip for you. I’ve been making Mexican Cabbage Salsa for years, and it just doesn’t get any better than this! Whether you’re serving it as a side on Taco Tuesday or just dunking chips into it, this salsa (cabbage salad) with a fresh squeeze of lime, is always perfect! Serve for Cinco de Mayo with your favorite chips!

cabbage slaw with cumin

You can’t go wrong with a bowlful of freshly made cabbage salsa. It’s crunchy, spicy, and loaded with flavor. I make my famous Mexican Slaw Dip with fresh ingredients, and I’m certain once you’ve tried it this way, it’ll be your new favorite! We’ve been making this recipe for years (it’s been on our blog since May 2018) and it’s such a delish taco garnish, with a fresh squeeze of lime.

What is the cabbage salsa at Mexican restaurants?

Mexican cabbage salsa is a pico de gallo mixed with fresh chopped green cabbage, fresh or pickled jalapeno, with a delicious mildly-spicy dressing that pairs with tortilla chips, quesadillas, tacos, and more! It’s often served as a side dish, or for dipping chips in. It’s super popular when eating out, but it’s an easy homemade cabbage salsa to make at home!

Read more: Mexican Cabbage Salsa

This Mexican dip is a great recipe to bring to a potluck. Below we are sharing our “how to plan a Mexican potluck” tips. We love to encourage people eating together, so between this recipe and my tips–you should be well on your way to inviting, cooking some great recipes, and enjoying eating together with family and friends.

mexican bowl of mexican slaw dip with fresh tomatoes

What is the secret ingredient to making Mexican Cabbage Salsa?

The secret ingredient to this Mexican dip is a squeeze of fresh lime! Once the dip is made, squeeze fresh lime over the top and it just adds a pop. Of course the dressing (cumin!) really adds to the fresh ingredients as well.

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cabbage slaw Mexican style

Ingredients for Cabbage Salsa recipe

  • Veggies: Green cabbage, tomatoes (we use Roma), green onion, white onion, cilantro, red onion, jalapenos (make sure they are drained if using canned, or you can use candied for a sweeter taste or fresh jalapeno).
  • Pantry: Olive oil, rice vinegar
  • Spice: Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic powder, cumin
  • Citrus: Fresh lime (fresh is the secret ingredient!)
mexican slaw dip with tomatoes

How do you make Mexican Cabbage Salsa?

  1. Finely chop and toss all vegetables; mix together in a large bowl. Add the canned jalapenos.
  2. Make the dressing: Whisk together the oil, rice vinegar, and seasoning; pour over the cabbage mixture. Salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Let stand 30 minutes and enjoy with tortilla chips, on top of an entree, or as a side salad. (Or, enjoy withing 4-5 hours of making it).

How do you serve Mexican Cabbage Salsa?

  • We love this salsa served on steak, chicken, or fish. Or, try it with this Baja Shrimp Tacos recipe or any tacos!
  • Make it ahead and keep it fresh in the fridge (best withing 2 hours), and then enjoy with your favorite Mexican dish.
  • Serve it in a Mexican-style dish, or any dish, on a big board with chips, or as a side salad.

EASY Mexican Slaw Dip Recipe

Sandy’s tips and substitutions:

  • Green cabbage is the best. But you can also use Napa cabbage for a lighter texture. Also optional to add in a little red cabbage for color.
  • How to cute the cabbage: Chop or shred (then chop) the cabbage. You want small bite size pieces. Take a whole cabbage and slice it into slabs, then stacka nd cut again (first vertically and then horizontally). You’ll end up with small square cabbage pieces.
  • No lime? The lime really adds a zip – but if you don’t have it, you can use lemon.
  • Add more “kick” to the salad: In place of jalapenos peppers, you can use serano peppers.
  • Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cabbage will get soggier with the dressing on, but it’s still very tasty on tacos, etc.
Mexican Cabbage Salsa

How to plan a Mexican potluck and serve cabbage dip!

  • Set a theme. Mexican. Mexican is always a safe, easy, healthy, and delicous menu (and theme) to plan.
  • Have guests commit to a course. Delegate. When it’s your potluck party, write out the menu, then assign the dishes to your friends. That way you won’t end up with 3 pans of enchiladas, or 4 7-layered bean dips! Once the responses have come in, ask several friends to each bring a main course, salad, appetizer, or dessert. Someone will always change it up at the last minute, but having some idea of what to expect makes an actual meal with courses more likely.
  • Have backup dishes ready. Be prepared. As the host, I find it easier to pull together the main course and have an extra pan of enchiladas ready, which helps bridge any gap in courses, or cover not having enough food at the last minute. I also like to prepare a dish, by doubling the recipe, that can be served as a dip or a side salad, so we always DOUBLE this dip recipe.
BEST Mexican Slaw Dip Recipe

What to serve cabbage salsa with?

You can serve this dip with anything Mexican Inspired! We love it served on a big board, especially for Taco Tuesday, with chips for happy hour! Or, double the recipe and serve on an epic taco board for Cinco de Mayo.

Mexican Cabbage Salsa
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Mexican Cabbage Salsa

This salsa will get better overnight as flavors meld, delicious for a dip or side salad, or served on top of an entree. Makes enough for a big party, 14-16 servings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 14
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 head green cabbage, shredded
  • 4 ripe tomatoes, I used grape, coarsely chopped
  • 2 green onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small white onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 bunches cilantro, coarsely chopped
  • 2 4 oz. cans jalapenos, chopped, do not drain (or use 1 fresh chopped)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. cumin
  • Limes

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop and toss all vegetables together in a large bowl. Add the canned jalapenos; toss.
  • Make the dressing: Whisk together the oil, rice vinegar, and seasoning; pour over the cabbage mixture. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add 1 fresh lime squeezed (juice). Toss all together.
  • Let stand 30 minutes and enjoy with tortilla chips, on top of an entree, or as a side salad. (Or, enjoy withing 4-5 hours of making it).

Notes

Reposted from May 2018
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: Appetizer
Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer
Calories: 37kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Sodium: 56mg, Potassium: 241mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 414IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 43mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!
Mexican Cabbage Salsa Dip recipe