Quick, crisp, and delicious—this easy cabbage carrot salad with lime dressing is a budget-friendly, healthy side dish bursting with fresh flavor. Ready in minutes and perfect for any meal!
This salad is as simple as it gets—just shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced onions and a zesty lime dressing that brings it all together. It’s the kind of dish you can toss together last minute, but it still feels fresh and homemade.
Whether you’re serving it with grilled chicken, tacos, or just as a quick lunch on its own, it totally works. Plus, it holds up well in the fridge, so it’s great for meal prep or next-day leftovers.
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Why You Will Love this Salad
- Quick & Easy: Comes together in minutes—perfect for busy days or last-minute meals.
- Fresh & Flavorful: The crispness of cabbage and the sweetness of carrots make every bite crunchy.
- Nutritious: Made with simple, nourishing ingredients you can feel good about.
- Versatile: Great with wraps, grilled dishes, rice bowls, or as a refreshing potluck favorite.
- Budget Friendly: Made with simple, affordable ingredients and easily available in your pantry.
- No Mayo: This isn’t your typical creamy coleslaw, so no mayo here. Just wholesome veggies and a simple lime vinaigrette for dressing.
Types of Cabbage and Carrot Salad
Cabbage and carrot salads vary widely, from creamy coleslaw with mayo to light versions dressed in vinegar or olive oil, often including garlic or herbs for extra flavor.
Popular varieties of this salad include classic coleslaw, light slaw (with oil & vinegar), kimchi slaw, Mexican cabbage salad, Thai cabbage salad, Krautsalat, etc.
Ingredients
Cabbage: I have used green cabbage for this salad. This crunchy vegetable is the perfect base for this easy vegetable salad. You can also use red cabbage or purple cabbage for this salad. It adds a pop of color to this dish.
Carrot: Carrots add sweet taste and natural color to the salad. It also balances the tangy lime dressing.
Others: Onion & coriander leaves
For Dressing: Lemon juice, olive oil, salt, freshly crushed black pepper
Instructions
Learn to make this easy cabbage carrot salad by following the step-by-step instructions given below.
Remove the outermost 2-3 leaves of the cabbage head. These are often tough, dirty, or damaged and aren't typically used in salads. Discard them.
Cut the cabbage in half, then into quarters. Slice thinly using a knife, mandolin, or food processor.
Wash and peel the carrot and julienne them. Keep aside.
Slice onion and chop coriander leaves. Keep them aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, onions, and herbs.
Drizzle the lime dressing over the vegetables. Mix thoroughly until the salad is evenly coated.
Taste and add adjust the seasonings if needed.
If you prefer a crunchier bite, serve right away. For a softer texture and more blended flavor, let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This goes perfect with grilled chicken (Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast), kebabs (Air Fryer Chicken 65, Chickpea Kebab), burgers, etc. Adds crunch and freshness to grilled chicken wrap and paneer wrap.
You can use this salad in your tacos for extra flavor and texture. Serve on its own or over quinoa, chickpeas, or lentils for a filling, healthy meal bowl.
Variations
Here are some tasty and easy variations for your cabbage and carrot salad. They are perfect for switching things up or pairing different meals:
Add a crunchy touch to your salad with toasted almonds, chopped peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and more.
If you enjoy spicy flavors, try adding a pinch of red chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the salad bowl.
Add shredded chicken, grilled tofu, or chickpeas for a boost of protein and to make it a complete meal.
You can also add vegetables like bell peppers, shredded beetroot to make the salad more colorful.
For a change in flavor, try different dressings such as sweet lime or apple cider vinegar instead of using only lime dressing.
Storage
Store shredded cabbage and carrots in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the lime dressing separate and add it just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crunchy.
If the salad is ready, store in an airtight container in the fridge. I will stay good for couple of days.
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Easy Cabbage Carrot Salad with Lime Dressing
Materials
- 1 cup Cabbage shredded
- ½ Carrot julienned
- ¼ cup Onion sliced
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1½ tablespoon Lime Juice
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper crushed
Instructions
- Cut the cabbage into quarters, then shred it thinly.
- Wash and peel the carrot and julienne them. Keep aside.
- Slice onion and chop coriander leaves. Keep them aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, onions, and herbs.
- Pour the lime dressing over the vegetables and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately for a crunchier bite or let sit for 10–15 minutes for a softer texture and deep flavor.
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