Emulsifier Free Cilantro-Lime Zucchini Herb Slaw
This vibrant slaw is a riot of color and freshness — shredded zucchini, jewel-toned red cabbage, and a generous handful of cilantro and mint that make every bite feel alive. The dressing is a simple shake-together situation: olive oil, fresh lime juice, a touch of raw honey, and warm spices like cumin and turmeric, all whisked until smooth without a single additive or synthetic stabilizer in sight. That matters more than you might think, because so many bottled dressings and store-bought slaws sneak in lecithins, polysorbates, or other emulsifying agents that can be hard to spot on a label. Here, the emulsification happens naturally — the lime juice and olive oil come together with a little whisking and coat every strand beautifully on their own. The trick of salting and squeezing the zucchini first keeps the slaw from going watery, so the dressing stays bright and punchy rather than diluted. A scatter of raw pumpkin seeds on top adds a satisfying crunch and makes it feel like something you'd order at a really good restaurant. It's the kind of side dish that disappears fast, so you might want to double it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the slaw
- 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb total), trimmed
- 2 cups red cabbage, very thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely minced (optional)
For the dressing
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Using the large holes of a box grater or a julienne peeler, shred the zucchini into long strands into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, toss briefly, and let stand for 10 minutes, then squeeze the zucchini firmly in your hands or in a clean kitchen towel to remove as much liquid as possible. Return the squeezed zucchini to the bowl.
- 2
Add the red cabbage, cilantro, mint, scallion greens, and jalapeño, if using, to the bowl with the zucchini and toss to combine.
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