Easy Cuban Slaw with Pickles and Dijon
Cuban Slaw with Pickles, Dijon and Lime
This Cuban Slaw is crisp, tangy, fresh, and full of flavor.
It was inspired by the flavors of a Cuban sandwich, with crunchy cabbage, dill pickles, red onion, cilantro, carrots, and a bold Dijon-pickle dressing.
I created it to serve with my Cuban Smash Tacos, but it is also a great side dish for grilled meats, pork, sandwiches, burgers, or any meal that needs something bright and crunchy on the side.
What I really love about this slaw is that it does not use a heavy mayonnaise dressing. The combination of Dijon mustard, pickle juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and a little olive oil gives it plenty of flavor while keeping it fresh and light.
Why You’ll Love This Cuban Slaw
This is one of those easy side dishes that adds a lot to a meal without adding a lot of work.
You get:
- Crunchy cabbage
- Tangy dill pickles
- Bright lime flavor
- A little bite from red onion
- Fresh cilantro
- A punchy Dijon dressing
- Just enough sweetness to balance the acidity
It also comes together quickly thanks to bagged angel hair slaw.
What Makes This Slaw Cuban-Inspired?
This is not meant to be a traditional Cuban recipe.
Instead, it takes inspiration from the flavors you find in a Cuban sandwich, especially mustard and pickles, and turns them into a fresh cabbage slaw.
The Dijon mustard, pickle juice, lime, and vinegar give the dressing a tangy flavor that works especially well with pork.
That is exactly why I love serving it with my Cuban Smash Tacos.
Cuban Slaw Ingredients
For the Slaw
- 1 10-ounce bag angel hair slaw
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1/3 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots or matchstick carrots
For the Dressing
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup dill pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
A Note About the Salt
I recommend tasting the dressing before adding salt.
Pickles and pickle juice can vary quite a bit in saltiness, so you may need very little additional salt or none at all.
It is much easier to add more salt at the end than to try to fix a slaw that is too salty.
How to Make Cuban Slaw
1. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine:
- Dijon mustard
- Pickle juice
- Lime juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Sweetener
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Black pepper
Whisk or shake until everything is well combined.
Taste the dressing before adding salt.
Add a little salt only if needed.
2. Assemble the Slaw
Add the angel hair slaw, chopped pickles, red onion, cilantro, and carrots to a large bowl.
3. Add the Dressing
Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture.
Toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Let It Rest
For the best flavor, let the slaw sit for about 10 to 20 minutes before serving.
This gives the cabbage a chance to absorb some of the dressing while still keeping its crunch.
What Is Angel Hair Slaw?
Angel hair slaw is simply cabbage that has been sliced very thinly.
I love using it for this recipe because the thin cabbage absorbs the dressing quickly and gives the slaw a lighter texture.
A 10-ounce bag also makes this recipe incredibly easy.
If you cannot find angel hair slaw, you can thinly slice green cabbage yourself.
Can I Use Matchstick Carrots?
Yes.
That is what I used.
Matchstick carrots add color, crunch, and a little natural sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
You can also use regular shredded carrots if that is what you have.
Can I Make Cuban Slaw Ahead?
Yes, but I would not make it too far ahead.
You can prepare the dressing a day or two in advance and keep it refrigerated.
For the best texture, toss the slaw with the dressing closer to serving time.
If you prefer softer slaw, making it a few hours ahead works well.
If you like very crisp cabbage, toss it shortly before serving.
How Long Does Cuban Slaw Keep?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The slaw is best within about 2 to 5 days.
The cabbage will soften as it sits, but the flavor will continue to develop.
What to Serve with Cuban Slaw
This slaw was made to go with my Cuban Smash Tacos and my Cuban Black beans but there are lots of ways to use it.
Try it with:
- Cuban Smash Tacos
- Pulled pork
- Grilled pork chops
- Grilled chicken
- Burgers
- Sandwiches
- BBQ meats
- Tacos
- Rice bowls
- Black beans
- Roasted meats
You could even pile it onto a pork sandwich for extra crunch.
Trim Healthy Mama Notes
This Cuban Slaw can fit very easily into a Trim Healthy Mama meal.
The main thing to watch is the small amount of olive oil in the dressing and the sweetener you choose.
Because the recipe uses only 1 tablespoon of olive oil for the entire batch, it can work well alongside a variety of meals.
Your exact fuel type will depend on what you serve it with and the portions you use.
Tips for the Best Cuban Slaw
Use thinly sliced cabbage so the dressing coats everything evenly.
Taste your dressing before adding salt.
Use a good dill pickle and pickle juice you already enjoy.
Do not skip the Dijon mustard. It is one of the flavors that really gives this slaw its Cuban sandwich-inspired personality.
And if you like more tang, add an extra splash of pickle juice or lime juice at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cuban slaw made of?
This Cuban-inspired slaw is made with thinly sliced cabbage, dill pickles, red onion, cilantro, carrots, and a tangy Dijon mustard dressing made with pickle juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings.
Does Cuban slaw have mayonnaise?
This version does not.
Instead of mayonnaise, the dressing uses Dijon mustard, pickle juice, lime juice, vinegar, and olive oil.
What kind of pickles are best for Cuban slaw?
Dill pickles work best because their salty, tangy flavor pairs well with mustard and lime.
Can I make Cuban slaw without cilantro?
Yes.
If you do not like cilantro, simply leave it out.
The slaw will still have plenty of flavor from the pickles, Dijon mustard, lime, onion, and cumin.
Can I make Cuban slaw ahead of time?
Yes.
For the crispest texture, make the dressing ahead and toss it with the cabbage shortly before serving.
Is Cuban slaw spicy?
No.
This recipe is tangy and savory rather than spicy.
If you want heat, you could add a little cayenne, crushed red pepper, or finely chopped jalapeño.
Cuban Slaw Low Carb- THM FP
Ingredients
- 10 oz Bag of bag angel hair slaw
- 1/2 C chopped dill pickles
- 1/3 C sliced red onion
- 1/4 C Chopped Cilantro
- 1/4 C shredded or matchstick carrots
Dressing
- 3 T Dijon mustard
- 1/4 C Pickle Juice
- 2 T Lime Juice
- 2 T Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 T Olive OIl
- 1-2 t Sweetener, to taste
- 1/2 t Garlic Powder
- 1/4 t Cumin
- 1/4 t Pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Assemble the veggies in a bowl.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients in a bowl.
- Add the dressing to the slaw and toss.
- Serve as desired.
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