Gluten Free Cilantro-Lime Zucchini Herb Slaw
This vibrant slaw is a riot of color and freshness, built around shredded zucchini, crisp red cabbage, and a generous handful of both cilantro and mint. The dressing is bright and boldly seasoned — fresh lime juice, a touch of honey, cumin, and turmeric come together into something that tastes far more complex than the few minutes it takes to whisk up. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of gluten, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress involved — just real, whole foods doing all the work. The trick of salting and squeezing the zucchini before tossing is a small step that makes a big difference, keeping the slaw crisp rather than watery. A scatter of pumpkin seeds on top adds a satisfying crunch and makes the whole bowl look like something you'd order at a trendy café. It works beautifully as a side for grilled proteins, tucked into tacos, or honestly just eaten straight from the bowl with a fork.
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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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