If you’re looking to take your fish tacos to the next level, this refreshing fish taco slaw is just the thing! This zesty and crunchy cabbage slaw, with carrots and cilantro, is tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing that pairs perfectly with flaky fish.
Why We Love This Easy Quick Slaw for Fish Tacos
Living in Florida, fish tacos are a way of life! We are always on the lookout for something new to elevate them. This fish taco slaw is our secret weapon! It’s tangy from the lime, creamy from the Greek yogurt, and has just the right crunch to balance out the tender fish. We love that it takes minutes to whip up, but tastes like you’ve put in way more effort! Here’s why we make it over and over again:
- Fast: This easy quick slaw for fish tacos is a breeze to make, coming together in just 10 minutes!
- Refreshing: Packed with crisp and colorful veggies like cabbage, carrots, and cilantro, this slaw adds a cool and crisp texture to every bite.
- Homemade Dressing: The combination of Greek yogurt and lime juice gives it a tangy, creamy flavor that complements the delicate fish without overpowering it.
- Versatile: It’s versatile enough to pair with shrimp tacos, as a topping for blackened Mahi Mahi, or even as a side dish at your next BBQ.
Looking for more refreshing toppings or sides? Try our fruit mango salsa, fresh corn salsa, or chickpea salad.
Key Ingredients
Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this fish taco slaw recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Cabbage: While we love using a mixture of fresh shredded green cabbage and red cabbage, you can also choose to grab a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix.
- Cilantro: The freshness of cilantro really shines through, but if you’re not a fan, green onions make a great substitute.
- Greek Yogurt: The yogurt-based dressing is a lighter option, but you can use mayo or sour cream instead for a more traditional slaw.
How To Make Fish Taco Slaw Recipe
You won’t find a better easy quick slaw for topping your air fryer fish tacos! Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.
- Make the dressing: Mix together the yogurt, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin.
- Toss it all together: Toss together the shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro. Add the yogurt mixture and toss to until evenly coated.
Cook’s Tips and Tricks
- Super Crisp: For the freshest results, shred your own cabbage. Pre-bagged coleslaw mix works, but freshly shredded cabbage has a much crisper texture. Save time by using a food processor to shred your cabbage and carrots quickly.
- Make it Spicy: Add some heat by mixing in a teaspoon of finely chopped jalapeños, about a tablespoon of sriracha, or a hearty dash of cayenne pepper.
- Extra Veggies: You can also add a handful of sliced radishes, jicama, or thinly sliced red, orange, or yellow bell peppers. For a heartier slaw, try adding a handful of finely chopped kale.
- Add Fruit: For a slightly sweet and tropical twist, toss in some diced mango or pineapple for a fruity burst.
Serve This Slaw For Fish Tacos So Many Ways!
Of course, this slaw is best when served with fish tacos or air fryer fish tacos! Pair it with our fish taco sauce for even more flavor. But there are a lot more options that it would be tasty served alongside…
- BBQ: It would be perfect on top of a crockpot bbq chicken sandwich or a pulled pork sandwich!
- Shrimp: Besides shrimp tacos, we like to also serve it like a salad with some air fryer shrimp or blackened shrimp on top. When we do this, we like to add some extra chopped kale to the slaw!
- Fish: This slaw would be great with most fish, but we really enjoy it with our air fryer Mahi Mahi or this lemon garlic salmon!
How To Store or Make Ahead
- Make Ahead: To keep it extra crisp, store the dressing separately and toss it with the cabbage mixture right before serving.
- Store Leftovers: While best served fresh, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Use a slotted spoon to remove any excess liquid when serving again.
Easy Fish Taco Slaw
Ingredients
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, sour cream, or mayo
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 6 cups freshly shredded cabbage, or 1 (16 oz) bag of coleslaw mix
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup diced fresh cilantro, or sliced green onions
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk to combine the yogurt, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin.
- In a large bowl, toss the combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, and cilantro. Add the yogurt mixture and toss to coat. Taste the slaw and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately or cover and store in the refrigerator for up to an hour.
Delicious!!! We made this for dinner with some tacos it was excellent