Paraben Free Cilantro-Lime Zucchini Herb Slaw
This vibrant slaw is a riot of color and fresh flavor — shredded zucchini, jewel-toned red cabbage, and a generous handful of cilantro and mint all tossed in a bright lime-and-cumin dressing that tastes like summer in a bowl. Every ingredient here is whole, recognizable, and completely free from synthetic preservatives or chemical additives, which makes it a genuinely clean choice for anyone navigating sensitivities to hidden compounds in packaged foods. The trick of salting and squeezing the zucchini before dressing it keeps the slaw from going watery, so the texture stays crisp and satisfying rather than soggy. Raw honey and fresh lime juice do all the heavy lifting in the dressing — no bottled condiments, no mystery stabilizers, just real food. A pinch of turmeric adds a subtle warmth and a gorgeous golden hue without overpowering the herby freshness. Finish it with a scatter of raw pumpkin seeds for a little crunch, and you have a side dish that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together with almost no effort.
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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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