Creamy Tex-Mex Slaw

Creamy, tangy, and a little spicy, Tex-Mex slaw is quick and easy to make and a delicious way to add some flavor to your plate.

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Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Betty Davies

Add some spice and flavor to your plate with this delicious and easy to make Tex-Mex coleslaw recipe. Slaw mix, jalapeños, avocados and cilantro are coated in a creamy sour cream and mayo taco seasoned dressing. Ready to enjoy in minutes, this vibrant side dish is one easy and tasty bite.

Creamy Tex-Mex coleslaw served in an bowl.

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If you are a lover of all things Mexican, then you need to get this slaw on your plate pronto! This coleslaw recipe is wonderfully creamy and uses taco seasoning to take it to the next level. Full of crunch, it’s easy to make it as spicy or as mild as you like.

Made with fresh jalapeños, avocado, cilantro and shredded cheese, this Tex-Mex slaw is full of vibrant flavors and the dressing is creamy and zingy with fresh lime juice.

Ready to serve in minutes, it’s perfect for cookouts and picnics, and great for Mexican night at home!

Be sure to try my Cajun Coleslaw and Beet Slaw too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Quick and easy: This recipe takes no more than 15 minutes to put together and is made with everyday ingredients.
Make ahead: This is a great make ahead salad side dish, so it’s a great choice for potlucks and meal prep.
Dietary info: This Tex-Mex slaw is gluten-free and vegetarian, and comes in at 15g of carbs per serving, plus lots of vitamins and minerals from all of those veggies.

Tex-Mex coleslaw garnished with cilantro served in a bowl with two spoons.

Ingredients

For the slaw

Slaw Mix: I used a bagged slaw mix from the store to save on prep time.
Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeños add a nice crunch and are pretty mild in spice.
Cilantro: Cilantro is a herb that is used a lot in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. It adds a nice freshness to balance out the creaminess.
Bell pepper: Diced bell pepper adds a crunchy texture. I used a red bell pepper which has a gentle sweetness to it.
Avocados: Avocados are a must for Tex-Mex!
Shredded Cheese: Monterey Jack or cheddar work great in this slaw recipe.

For the dressing

Sour Cream: Sour cream is the main ingredient in the slaw dressing. Creamy and tangy, it brings all of the wonderful flavors together.
Mayonnaise: A little mayonnaise adds a nice richness.
Lime Juice: Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. The acid helps to balance out the creamy dressing and the citrus adds a great zing.
Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite taco seasoning. Store bought or homemade both work great.
Olive Oil: A little extra virgin olive oil helps to thin the dressing, as well as adding a rich flavor.

How to make Tex-Mex Slaw

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Add the slaw ingredients to a bowl (photo 1).
Mix together the ingredients for the dressing (photo 2).
Toss the slaw in the dressing (photo 3).

Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

This Tex-Mex slaw recipe is pretty delicious as it is, but you can easily make some changes to suit your tastes:

Swap the cilantro for parsley: If you find the taste of cilantro soapy, swap it out for some parsley so that you still get that fresh herby flavor.
Make it spicier: Add in a little cayenne or tabasco sauce to the dressing. You could also use pickled jalapeños which tend to be spicier than fresh.
Make it sweeter: For this that prefer a little sweetness with the slaw, simply add in some white sugar to the dressing.
Make it healthier: To cut down on calories and fat, try swapping half of the sour cream for Greek yogurt. This is a very creamy slaw, so you could also reduce the dressing by half.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican?

Tex-Mex is a blend of Texan and Mexican cuisines, it is Mexican inspired food made with Texan ingredients. Authentic Mexican food uses Mexican ingredients, where as Tex Mex uses different spices, like cumin, and yellow cheese instead of white cheese. Both are delicious and there is no wrong answer!

Do you have to use bagged slaw?

Depending on how lazy I’m feeling, sometimes I used bagged slaw, and other times I make it entirely from scratch. Bagged slaw tends to be more finely shredded, but it can sometimes be a little dry. To make it without the bagged slaw, simply shred a small white cabbage a grate a couple of carrots and you are good to go.

Serving Suggestions

This Tex-Mex slaw is a great way to add some flavor to your plate. It’s great to serve up as a side with Mexican mains, but it easily sits alongside lots of other meals too. Use it as a topping for tacos or burgers, or simply eat it out of the bowl with a fork! Try it with some of these favorites:

Make Ahead and Storage

For the tastiest dish, it’s best to let the slaw sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving so that the flavors have time to develop.

Once made, it will keep well, covered in the fridges, for 2 to 3 days.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Dice the slaw ingredients fairly small so that everything mixes well together.
Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to cut down on fat and calories.
Keep covered and refrigerated before serving. Because this dish contains dairy, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.

Close up of shredded cannage and carrots coated in a Tex-Mex mayo dressing.

This easy to make Tex-Mex slaw is creamy, crunch and has just the right amount of spice. Perfect to serve up any night of the week, this is sure to become a family favorite!

More Coleslaw Recipes

If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!

Tex-Mex Slaw

Creamy, tangy, and a little spicy, Tex-Mex slaw is quick and easy to make and a delicious way to add some flavor to your plate.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Servings: servings

Calories: 289kcal

Author: Betty Davies