Tangy Citrus Slaw (Gluten Free, Low Carb)

This citrus slaw is a sweet and tangy salad that is bursting with a zippy citrus flavor! A medley of fresh cabbage, broccoli slaw and kale create the base to this crisp, crunchy slaw. Paired with freshly-squeezed citrus juice, the creamy dressing is tart, sweet and tangy.

It's that time of year when all the beautiful citrus makes its way to the grocery stores and farmers markets.

Here in Arizona, the citrus trees are everywhere and I'm almost overwhelmed by all of the delicious citrus options to choose from in the produce section.

Side note: isn't it interesting to think about how citrus season falls during winter, right when we all need a good extra dose of vitamin C? Another reason to enjoy it.

This citrus coleslaw uses a combination of citrus fruits. I created the recipe to go with fish tacos, but quickly discovered its versatility.

Pile it into shrimp tacos, top a piece of halibut or baked salmon, or add it to a delicious bowl-style meal, like this keto poke bowl , chicken shawarma or bourbon chicken.

Of course, it's awesome on its own too, topped with your favorite protein if you want to turn it into a complete meal.

why this recipe works

This tangy citrus slaw recipe is quick and easy! It makes a fairly large batch but leftovers hold up well for 2-3 days.

I keep it refined sugar free, low carb and keto-friendly by using a low glycemic sweetener, but you can certainly swap in your sweetener of choice.

It is:

• crisp, fresh and crunchy with a sweet citrus flavor and tangy dressing
• easy to make and the perfect side dish for a variety of mains
• versatile and easy to adapt to your own diet and taste preferences
• low carb, gluten free and keto diet friendly!

the ingredients

I like the crisp crunchiness (and health benefits!) of broccoli slaw as well as the fact that it's easy to find ready-to-use at most grocery stores.

This will make coleslaw prep a breeze, and all you have to do is add a few more greens to get a beautiful slaw mixture. No food processor required!

The citrus dressing is so easy to mix together, too!

You will need:

• broccoli slaw (you will usually find this in the bagged salad section of the grocery store)
• kale, any variety
• green cabbage
• green onions
• cilantro
• avocado mayonnaise (like Chosen Foods- it offers a much cleaner option that is free of inflammatory oils high in omega-6)
• full-fat Greek yogurt (or coconut cream)
• fresh orange juice from 1-2 oranges (any variety)
• orange zest
• lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
• fresh lime juice
• ground cardamom (optional)
• salt and black pepper
• sweetener of choice
• slivered almonds, toasted

sweetener options

To keep this low carb and low glycemic, you have several sweetener options and the amount needed will vary based on what you choose to use.

Low glycemic options include powdered monk fruit or liquid monk fruit (affiliate links), agave, liquid allulose or stevia drops. I've even used a couple of packets of Whole Earth granulated sweetener and it dissolves quite well in the dressing.

For a paleo-friendly citrus slaw, you can use maple syrup, honey, stevia or agave.

an easy citrus slaw recipe

To make this simple citrus slaw, there's just a bit of chopping required. The pre-mixed broccoli slaw keeps prep time to a minimum.

You could omit the cabbage and kale and only use broccoli slaw, but I like the variety of textures and nutrients when a kale and cabbage mixture is added to the slaw.

Here's a look at the steps but be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

1. Rinse the broccoli slaw and run it through a salad spinner to remove any excess water.
2. Transfer it to a large bowl. Add the sliced kale, sliced green cabbage, green onions and chopped cilantro. Toss to combine the mixture.
3. In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients except for the salt, pepper and sweetener. Add salt, pepper and sweetener to taste, adjusting as needed.
4. Pour the dressing over the coleslaw mix. Toss to combine.
5. Top with slivered almonds (preferably toasted) and serve.

recipe tips for the best results

• To toast the slivered almonds, heat them in a pan over medium-high heat with about 1 teaspoon olive oil. Mix frequently and toast for about 4-5 minutes or until they turn a light golden brown. Transfer to a plate with a paper towel to let any excess oil drain off. Cool them for 5 minutes before topping the citrus slaw. For a subtle spice, you can toast them with a dash of cayenne pepper.

• For the coleslaw dressing, start with about ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper and increase from there.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 days. 

ingredient substitutions

• This recipe is versatile! Any variety of kale will do. Same with cabbage- you can use Napa cabbage or white cabbage if preferred. For the dressing, use a combination of citrus or just go with a variety of oranges for an even sweeter flavor profile.

• The cardamom is optional but I really love the combination of its subtle herbal flavor with any kind of citrus.

• Sour cream is a great substitute for Greek yogurt.

This easy citrus slaw has the perfect crunch and amazing flavor! It's a great side dish or standalone salad, and best of all, it makes healthy eating delicious and enjoyable.

you might also love...

• Spicy keto coleslaw has a bold chipotle kick and is another easy low carb coleslaw with a tasty flavor profile.

• These easy keto biscuits take just a few minutes of prep time and about 10 minutes in the oven. They're buttery, dairy optional, and the perfect almond flour biscuit

• This copycat Chick Fil A kale salad is better than the original! Fresh kale and cabbage are tossed in a delicious apple cider vinaigrette for a zippy and tangy flavor you'll love.

• This Broccoli Crunch Salad, a keto broccoli salad that features a delicious mix of sweet and savory flavors tossed with crunchy raw broccoli florets.