Summer slaw salad is the ultimate refreshing side dish to complement any warm-weather meal. Crisp, crunchy, and bursting with fresh vegetables, this slaw is an easy way to add color and flavor to your plate. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, or as a lighter side for grilled meats, it’s a dish that combines simplicity with a delicious crunch.
The base of this slaw is typically shredded cabbage, offering a hearty crunch that’s perfect for soaking up the tangy dressing. To brighten it up, you can add a colorful mix of carrots, bell peppers, and red onions for extra texture and flavor. For a more traditional touch, you can include ingredients like celery and green onions to round out the flavor profile.
The dressing is where the magic happens, balancing the crunch with creaminess and tang. A combination of mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar gives it that classic slaw taste, while a touch of honey or sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness. You can adjust the dressing to your preference by adding a little mustard, lemon juice, or even a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Once all the ingredients are tossed together, let the slaw sit for a bit to allow the flavors to meld. This also helps the cabbage soften slightly, making it even more enjoyable to eat.
Summer slaw salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, burgers, or even a light seafood dish. It’s versatile enough to go with a wide range of main dishes, and it also makes for an excellent topping for tacos or pulled pork sandwiches.
Crisp, tangy, and satisfying, this summer slaw salad is the perfect side dish for any summer occasion. It’s a quick and easy way to add a pop of color and flavor to your meal while keeping things light and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cabbage red and green mixed
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds lightly toasted
- 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, cilantro, and sliced almonds.
- In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Let the slaw sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Nutrition
Yummy. I love the tangy flavor but too much lime for me. 6 stars if I could!
Wow! So good and healthy! My kids even ate it without complaining! 😂
I didn’t like the cilantro. It was too much. Maybe fresh parsley could work better?
Cilantro is like the best thing ever! How can you not like it? 🙄
I actually love cilantro, but I can see how it’s not for everyone. Fresh parsley would definitely give a milder taste!
This slaw was a hit at our BBQ! Super refreshing and easy to make. Will definitely make it again!
Summer slaw? More like soggy slaw! 😒 I expected more crunch.
Not sure why everyone loves this. It was too tangy for me, and didn’t have much flavor overall.
I swapped honey for maple syrup because I was out, and it still turned out great! Will make again.
This salad was a hit at my BBQ! So fresh and tangy, everyone loved it!
Simple and easy to make, but I think it needed more honey for sweetness. I’ll try adding more next time.
Ugh, honey in a savory dish? I don’t think so. Didn’t like this at all! 😡
I actually loved the honey in it! It adds a nice balance to the flavors. Sorry it didn’t work for you! 😅
Honestly, I think honey in salad sounds weird too! But who am I to judge? 🤷♂️
I don’t like honey in savory dishes! Why would you add it? 🤨
I don’t eat cilantro, can you use parsley instead or smthin? Idk if it would taste the same.
Tasty but I added more almonds for crunch. Yum!
Very yummy! Could add some grilled chicken for a main dish, I think.
That sounds like a great idea! Grilled chicken would make it a full meal!
My kids devoured it! Mixed the dressing with some sriracha, yum!
Cabbage is like… all crunchy and stuff. Not my favorite tbh.
This is too tangy for my taste. I might try less lime next time.
So simple and refreshing! Perfect for summer picnics. 🌞
Absolutely agree! This slaw is a hit every time at my picnics! 🌻
Looks good but I don’t know about mixing cabbage and honey. 🤔
I mean, it was alright, but my family really didn’t want the almonds. Should’ve just left ’em out.
Surprisingly good! I was skeptical about the cilantro but it works! 👍
Eh, not really my thing. Cilantro tastes like soap to me. Maybe it’s just me, but I ain’t convinced.
I never woulda thought cilantro would be good in a slaw, but you’re right! Tried it and loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Honestly, not my favorite. Cabbage is just not my thing. One star.
I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s just cabbage and carrots, right? Didn’t blow my mind.
Cabbage and carrots can be pretty boring if you don’t dress it up!😅 Maybe try adding more spices next time?
I get it, it’s not super fancy, but the dressing adds a lot! You should give it another try! 🌟
Absolutely loved this slaw! The lime dressing makes it pop! 🍋
This recipe is a keeper! I didn’t have almonds so I used sunflower seeds!
Using sunflower seeds sounds like a great idea! I might try that too next time.
How about some protein? Diced chicken would make this better.
Well, I think the salad is fine as it is! Who needs chicken with all these veggies? 🥗
Way too tangy for my taste. Plus, who needs cilantro? 😒
This salad is so refreshing! Perfect for summer BBQs! 🍉
Summer slaw is my go-to! Love making this with friends. ☀️💖
I don’t see how this can be a meal… its just veggies. 🙁
It can be a meal if you eat enough of it! Try adding some protein like chicken or beans. 😊
This slaw was a hit at my BBQ! So refreshing!
Sounds delicious! I gotta try this at my next picnic.
I don’t get why people love cabbage so much, it taste weird. I give it a 2.
I didn’t have red bell pepper, so I used green. Still taste yum. Might do it again!
Green bell pepper is fine! Glad you enjoyed it. 😊
I thought it was too sour with the lime juice. I prefer a creamier slaw.
Best summer salad ever!!! I will be making this every week!!!
Absolutely! I’ve been looking for a refreshing salad for summer, and this sounds perfect! Can’t wait to try it.
Yum! Had it with grilled chicken, so good! Will make again.
This slaw was super refreshing! Perfect for summer BBQs!
Why do people put honey in salad? Seems weird to me.
Delicious! I added some jalapeños for a kick and it was great! 🔥
Wait, are red bell peppers even good for you? I dunno. But the salad was okay.
Cabbage is gross. no thx.
I used to think that, but this salad really changed my mind about cabbage! Give it a shot! 🌿
Cabbage is healthy! You might not like it, but it’s good for you. Maybe try it with a different dressing?
I made this for a picnic and everyone loved it! So easy to make too!
I would NEVER put honey in a salad, that’s just weird! Must’ve been a typo.
Salad? More like a side. Next time I’ll add some beans or cheese for more filling meal. But still okay.
I hate cilantro! 😖 I swapped it for parsley, but it was still tasty.
I added some diced apples for sweetness. It was delicious!
Fresh and zesty! I swapped out almonds for sunflower seeds because I’m allergic. Still delish!
I found it way too sour with all that lime. Maybe cut back on the juice.
I actually love the zing from the lime! But I get it, everyone’s taste is different. Maybe just try using less next time?
This salad is sooo refreshing! Perfect for summer BBQs. I added some grilled chicken for protein. Yum!
Easy and tasty! Just a heads up, I used peanuts instead of almonds and it was still great!
Not bad, but was expecting more flavor. Maybe I’ll add some garlic next time.
This salad is so refreshing! Perfect for summer BBQs. My family loved it!
Slaw was good but my kids only picked the carrots out, ugh!
Kids can be picky eaters! Maybe next time try adding some apples to the slaw. They might like that better!
Ew, not my thing. I feel like it needed more flavor or something. The nuts didn’t help much.
This is the best slaw I’ve ever made! So refreshing and crunchy. Definitely a keeper!
Tastes like summer in a bowl! Great side dish for BBQs. 🌞
Absolutely agree! This salad is perfect for summer gatherings! 🌿
Really good but I added too much salt 🤦♀️. Next time I’ll follow the recipe better.
This is just cabbage with some other stuff. Nothing special.
I don’t know about this. Cabbage and honey? Sounds weird. But who am I to judge, maybe it tastes good?
This is a salad? Feels more like a veggie mishmash. Not impressed.
I kinda get what you’re saying, but I think it’s all about how you present it. A little creativity can make a salad pop!
What? It’s still a salad! Just because it’s not your typical lettuce mix doesn’t mean it’s not tasty. Gotta give it a try!
Super delicious! I added some grilled chicken to it. Yum!
Love it! Made it for a picnic and everyone loved it. The lime juice really makes it pop!
Sounds delicious! I’m gonna try it too. Do you think it works with apple cider vinegar instead of lime juice?
Slaw is for summer, it like refreshing but I prefer it in winter with cooked veggies. Different tastes!
It was okay, but my kids didn’t really eat it. I guess they just don’t like slaw that much. 🙄
This slaw is amazing! I love the crunch from the almonds and the zing from the lime. Will definitely make again!
I don’t know, it seemed kind of bland. Maybe I should add more honey?
Yum!!! Made this for a potluck, and people couldn’t stop eating it. Will make again!
My kid refused to eat it. She only likes fries. 😩 But I liked it okay.
Does honey even belong in a salad? I don’t know but it turned out fine.
I dunno, honey sounds weird in a salad. My grandma would never do that!
Honey in salad adds a nice sweetness! I love it!