Pickled Cabbage Slaw

Tangy, crunchy, and just the right amount of spicy, this quick pickled cabbage slaw (Curtido) is the perfect taco topper or BBQ side. Easy to make, even better the next day—trust me, you’ll want extra!

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Salvadoran

Keyword: backyard barbecue, Latin American cuisine, summer cookout, taco topping

Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Servings:

Calories: 40kcal

Author: Jennifer Locklin

Equipment

Shop the exact tools and ingredients I use for this recipe

View My Amazon Kitchen

Ingredients

1 head green cabbage shaved
½ sweet white onion shaved
8 green onions minced
3 fresh jalapeño seeded and diced
¼ cup fresh cilantro minced
1 cup distilled white vinegar
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 ½ cups water
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, white onion, and minced green onions.
1 head green cabbage, ½ sweet white onion, 8 green onions
Add the diced jalapeño and minced cilantro, tossing everything together evenly.
3 fresh jalapeño, ¼ cup fresh cilantro

Make the Marinade

In a small bowl, whisk together the distilled white vinegar, lime juice, water, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper.
1 cup distilled white vinegar, 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 ½ cups water, 6 tablespoons granulated sugar, 4 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.

Combine & Marinate

Pour the vinegar mixture over the cabbage and onion mixture in the large bowl.
Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—add more vinegar for tang, sugar for sweetness, or salt for balance.

Pack & Rest

Transfer the slaw into a clean 2-quart jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving, but for the best flavor, let it sit for several hours or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften slightly.

Before Serving

Give the jar a good shake or stir.
Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Substitutions

Cabbage: Swap green cabbage for red cabbage for a more colorful variation.
Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can replace white vinegar for a slightly fruitier tang.
Jalapeño: Use serrano pepper for more heat or omit for a milder slaw.
Sweetener: Replace granulated sugar with honey or agave for a natural sweetness.
Cilantro: Substitute with flat-leaf parsley if you prefer a different herb.

Nutrition

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.