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.
I’m skeptical about using sliced almonds in salad, but wow. They actually stayed crunchy and didn’t get soggy.
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!
I swapped cilantro for parsley because that’s what I had—still really good. Next time I’ll toast the almonds a little more.
Honey feels a little unnecessary—could’ve used more lime instead. Also my dressing was too thick at first, but a splash of water fixed it.
Totally agree on the honey being optional—more lime would’ve really brightened it up. I also had the dressing too thick at first, so I did the same thing (a splash of water) and it came together!
Made it for a cookout and everyone asked for the recipe. I let it sit closer to 20 minutes and it was even better.
The flavors are fresh, but I found it needed more salt than “to taste” (like, a few extra pinches). Otherwise super tasty and not heavy at all.
I used pre-shredded cabbage and it worked, though the texture wasn’t as crisp. Still tasty with the dressing though—good for meal prep.
Crunchy and zesty. I didn’t have fresh limes so I used bottled juice and it was still decent, just less “wow.”
Totally agree—this slaw is super refreshing. I’ve used bottled lime juice before too and it still works, just not as punchy. Next time I’ll definitely grab fresh limes for that extra zing!
Huh, 10-15 minutes? I usually skip that and it still tastes good. Also bottled lime juice is basically the same thing… right? 😅 Either way crunchy salad is a win.
This tastes like summer in a bowl. I brought it to a BBQ and it disappeared fast. Would absolutely make again.
So easy! I added a tiny bit of garlic powder because I always do, but the base recipe is great. Letting it sit 10-15 min really does help.
Yes!! The 10–15 min makes it taste way more “fresh restaurant” and less plain. I used a squeeze of lemon instead of lime once and it still worked.
Hmm I don’t know—letting it sit that long makes the cabbage too soft for me. I usually only wait like 5 min. But adding garlic powder is genius lol.
Followed it exactly and it was fine… just fine. I wanted more “wow.” Maybe add something like jalapeño or more lime.
Bright, crunchy, and actually tastes like summer. The lime + honey combo is perfect—will make again for sure!
This is super refreshing! The lime + honey combo is perfect, and the slaw actually tastes better after it sits for a bit. I added a bit more black pepper and it really popped.
Made this for a backyard BBQ and it totally disappeared fast. The lime + honey combo is so bright and the almonds add a perfect crunch. Will be in my rotation.
Not sure if it’s my cabbage, but it was kind of watery after sitting. I might try salting the cabbage first next time and squeezing it out.
That sounds pretty normal—cabbage can weep some liquid once it sits. Salting and squeezing first (or even just salting, then draining) usually fixes it. I also like to toss and then serve sooner if I don’t want it watery.
So refreshing! The lime + honey balance is perfect, and letting it sit really makes a difference. I used cashews instead of almonds—still great.
Honestly kinda mid. The almonds tasted stale (even though I toasted them a little). Also I forgot the “sit 10-15 minutes” part—maybe that’s why.
So fresh and crunchy! The lime + honey combo is perfect, and the almonds add a nice nutty bite.
So fresh and crunchy! I used sliced almonds like suggested (lightly toasted) and the cilantro really brightens it up. Will make again.
Not bad, but 10–15 minutes didn’t do much for me. I think it needs more time to soften the cabbage, like 30 minutes.
Easy recipe, but I messed up the measurements and used double the lime juice 😅 It was still good though—just tangier than expected.
Oof double lime would be BRUTAL 😅 but honestly I respect the chaos—tangier slaw sounds like it’d hit really hard with the honey.
Maybe you should just say “lime to taste” next time 😜 I usually measure, but if it was still good then your palate saved it.
I’m not usually a slaw person, but this was genuinely good. The cilantro really shows up—if you’re not a cilantro fan, maybe reduce it.
I’m a cilantro person, so I loved this. But I did add extra lime because mine was kind of tangy/strong? Also, I toasted the almonds longer than the recipe said—still good. Would make again!
Same here—I’m usually team “no slaw,” but the lime + honey dressing totally won me over. Cilantro really makes it pop. I’ll probably try it with a little less next time, though.
Meh. Tastes like a store salad. Wouldn’t make again—too many ingredients for what you get.
This is giving salad vibes… like a fancy grocery store slaw but homemade. I used less salt and it still slapped.
Omg yes—fancy deli slaw energy but way better. Cutting the salt makes sense too; the lime and honey already bring a lot of pop. I’ll try your version next time!
The ratios are good, but 10–15 minutes wasn’t enough for me. I’m one of those people who needs it to sit longer—30 minutes at least. After that, wow.
meh
Not bad, but mine got a little watery after sitting. Maybe my cabbage was too wet or I didn’t slice evenly. Flavor was still okay though.
Yeah that happens—if the cabbage is still wet (or cut thicker in spots) it can weep and make it watery. Next time I’d pat the cabbage dry and try slicing more consistently, then salt the cabbage lightly for a few minutes and drain off any liquid before dressing.
This is super fresh! The lime + honey combo really makes the cabbage taste bright, not just “salad-y.” Toasted almonds were a great call.
I love slaw but cilantro is hit or miss for me. I swapped it with parsley and it came out alright—still fresh, just a different vibe.
The dressing is easy, but mine seemed a bit watery until I whisked harder. Still tasted great though—cilantro makes it feel fancy.
I made this for a BBQ and it disappeared fast. Used parsley instead of cilantro because I’m not a fan, still tasted great.
I added a little extra lime and it really woke everything up. The slaw sat 15 min like the recipe says and it melded nicely.
Not bad, but the salad felt a little plain—could use something like a pinch of garlic powder or a sprinkle of chili flakes.
Totally fair! I think a tiny pinch of garlic powder or chili flakes would kick it up a notch—especially if you like a bit of heat. I might add it next time.
Crunchy and refreshing, but next time I’m using less honey. Mine came out a bit sweeter than expected, especially with the red pepper.
Where’s the seasoning?? I think i over salted because it tasted kinda salty. But my cabbage was also older, so maybe that’s why.
I totally get that—salt is “to taste” here, and cabbage can throw things off if it’s older/tougher. I usually start with a *smaller* pinch, then add more after it sits 10 minutes. Also, lime + honey helps balance salt, so letting it rest definitely matters.
Wait… is it just 1 tsp salt? That seems like not enough seasoning at all 😅 But salty can happen fast—cabbage that’s been sitting around can taste stronger. Next time maybe use less salt and add extra pepper/cilantro if you still want more flavor.
Really good! I used green cabbage only because that’s what I had, and it still worked. Next time I might add a pinch of garlic or a little chili for some heat.
I tried this but i think my lime juice was too much? It tasted kinda sour at first, but after sitting it mellowed out. I also skipped almonds (allergy) and it was still good. Garlic would be awesome though.
Totally agree—letting it sit really makes a difference. I didn’t have cilantro once so I used parsley and it was still great. Next time I’m adding chili like you said 🌶️
Five stars because it’s crunchy and tangy. Also, almonds are genius. My kids actually asked for seconds, which never happens. Love this!
This is delicious, but I’m not a fan of cilantro so I swapped parsley. It still worked, just tasted different—still good though!
I liked it, but the dressing felt a bit too sharp at first. After resting longer (like 30 minutes) it mellowed out a lot. Also toasted almonds make a huge difference.
Pretty good, but I think 10–15 minutes isn’t long enough if you like softer cabbage. Next time I’ll let it sit closer to 30 minutes in the fridge.
WOW
I followed it exactly and it came out kind of watery? Like the cabbage released a lot of liquid. Maybe I packed it too tightly in the bowl. Taste was good though.
Watery slaw is the worst 😂 maybe you squeezed the cabbage a bit by mistake? I would try salting the cabbage first for 5 mins, then rinse/drain, then add dressing.
That makes sense—cabbage can dump water fast. I usually let it sit and then drain off a little liquid (or toss and re-check after 10 min). Also, shredding thinner can release more juice.
Okay, but why cilantro? I’m not a huge cilantro person. I subbed parsley and it was still tasty, just a different vibe. Would make again with my tweak.
Really bright and fresh—cabbage stayed crisp even after sitting. The lime + honey balance is perfect and the almonds add a nice crunch.
This was super refreshing on a hot day. The lime + honey combo is such a nice balance, and the almonds add crunch without being too heavy. I let it sit the full 15 minutes and it tasted like it came from a deli.
I tried it but I think I over-salted? 😅 Mine tasted a bit sharp even after sitting 15 minutes. Still good though. Maybe I used less honey than I thought. Anyone else add something creamy or is it supposed to stay light?
Yes!! The lime + honey hits perfectly—sweet, tangy, and not heavy. I also love how the almonds keep some crunch even after it sits. Next time I’ll add a tiny bit more cilantro 😄
Pretty good, but I think it needs a bit more seasoning. I added extra pepper and a pinch of chili flakes and it tasted more like what I expected.
Totally agree—this one definitely benefits from an extra punch. I usually add a touch more salt too (and sometimes garlic powder) so it doesn’t taste too fresh/flat.
More seasoning? I’m not sure—mine tastes good as-is. I did add chili flakes once but then it overpowered the lime 😅. Maybe just more pepper is best.
Honestly it’s pretty basic. It’s just chopped veggies with lime dressing. I guess that’s the point, but it felt like a side I’d forget. Would be better with something like feta or chickpeas for me.
Not bad. Lime tastes kinda strong tho. Maybe less lime next time.
I followed it exactly and it came out watery. Maybe my cabbage was extra wet or I didn’t toast the almonds long enough.
Cilantro tastes like soap to me 😅 so I used green onions and it actually saved the whole thing.
The honey amount surprised me—mine ended up slightly sweet. Not bad, just not what I expected. Still, the flavors melded nicely after sitting.
Good to know! I’ve been worried 1 tbsp honey would be too much—sounds like it depends on the cabbage sweetness and the lime. Next time I might use a little less and taste the dressing first.
Cilantro ruined it for me (I know, unpopular 😅). I’d swap it for parsley or skip it entirely. Otherwise pretty simple.
Good idea overall, but I think 1/4 cup cilantro is a lot for my taste. Next time I’ll cut it in half or add it gradually.
Totally get you—cilantro can be overpowering. I usually start with 2 tablespoons and then taste. Letting it sit 10 minutes helps too.
Interesting, I’m the opposite—I love cilantro. But cutting it down sounds smart if you’re not a superfan. Did you try it after it sat 15 minutes?