There’s something magical about a good coleslaw it’s crisp, refreshing, and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. But this Apple Cranberry Coleslaw? Oh, this one’s a total game-changer. Imagine the crunch of fresh cabbage, the sweetness of apples, and the tart burst of cranberries, all tossed in a creamy, slightly tangy dressing. Whether you’re serving it at a summer barbecue, alongside a cozy fall meal, or just craving a fresh, flavor-packed side dish, this coleslaw is about to become your new favorite. Trust me, you’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Versatile Perfect for busy weeknights or as a standout dish at gatherings. Whether it’s a backyard cookout, a potluck, or a simple weeknight dinner, this coleslaw fits right in.
Budget Friendly Uses simple, everyday ingredients that are easy to find. No fancy or hard-to-find items—just fresh, wholesome ingredients that create an incredible flavor combination.
Quick and Easy No complicated steps here! If you can chop and mix, you can make this coleslaw. It’s that simple.
Customizable Love a little extra crunch? Add some toasted nuts. Want more tang? A splash of extra vinegar does the trick. Make it your own!
Crowd Pleasing A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s sweet, it’s tangy, it’s crunchy what’s not to love?
Ingredients in Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Green Cabbage The crunchy, hearty base of this coleslaw. It holds up well to dressing and stays crisp for hours.
Red Cabbage Adds a pop of color and a slightly peppery flavor. Plus, it makes the dish even more visually appealing!
Carrots Sweet, crisp, and a must-have in any coleslaw for that perfect bite.
Apples Choose a sweet, crisp variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best texture and flavor.
Dried Cranberries These little gems add the perfect tart-sweet contrast to the crunchy veggies.
Slivered Almonds Optional but highly recommended for a bit of extra crunch and nuttiness.
Mayonnaise The creamy base of the dressing that ties everything together.
Greek Yogurt Adds a little tang and lightens up the dressing while keeping it creamy.
Apple Cider Vinegar Brings just the right amount of tang to balance the sweetness.
Honey A touch of natural sweetness to enhance all the flavors.
Dijon Mustard Adds depth and a little zip to the dressing.
Salt and Pepper Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
Instructions
Prepare the Vegetables Thinly slice the green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots. Chop the apples into matchstick-sized pieces. Place everything in a large mixing bowl.
Add the Mix Ins Toss in the dried cranberries and slivered almonds. Give everything a gentle mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Make the Dressing In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
Combine Everything Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture. Toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
Chill and Serve Let the coleslaw sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy Serve chilled and enjoy as a side dish or even as a topping for burgers and sandwiches!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Calories per serving 180
Preparation Time
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
How to Serve Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Fresh Salads Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish for a light, refreshing meal.
Crusty Bread Pile it onto a sandwich or burger for extra crunch and flavor.
Creamy Accompaniments Pair it with a bowl of soup for a satisfying combo.
Vegetable Sides Enjoy it alongside roasted sweet potatoes or grilled veggies.
As a Standalone It’s so good, you might just want to eat it straight from the bowl!
Additional Tips
Prep Ahead You can slice and chop everything in advance. Just keep the apples separate and add them right before serving to prevent browning.
Spice It Up A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of cayenne can add a fun twist to the flavors.
Dietary Adjustments Swap mayo for a plant-based alternative to make it vegan.
Storage Tips Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Give it a quick toss before serving again.
Double the Batch This coleslaw is a great make-ahead dish for parties, so don’t hesitate to make extra!
FAQ Section
Can I substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream? Yes, sour cream works well as a replacement and adds a slightly richer flavor.
Can I make this coleslaw ahead of time? Absolutely! Just wait to add the apples until right before serving to keep them fresh.
How do I store leftovers? Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Can I freeze this coleslaw? It’s not recommended, as the texture of the cabbage will become watery once thawed.
What apples work best? Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples are all great choices for their sweetness and crunch.
Can I make this without mayonnaise? Yes! You can use all Greek yogurt or a vinaigrette-style dressing instead.
What if I don’t have Dijon mustard? Regular yellow mustard or even a bit of spicy brown mustard can work as substitutes.
Can I add protein to make this a full meal? Yes! Grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken would be delicious additions.
What other nuts can I use instead of almonds? Pecans or walnuts would add a great crunch and complement the flavors well.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried? Yes, but they will be more tart, so you may want to add a little extra honey to balance the flavors.
Conclusion
Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is the perfect balance of fresh, crunchy, sweet, and tangy. Whether you’re making it for a family meal, a potluck, or just to snack on throughout the week, it’s a foolproof recipe that never disappoints. So go ahead grab your ingredients, mix up a batch, and get ready to fall in love with this refreshing, flavor-packed coleslaw!
Print
Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is a delightful blend of sweet apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy cabbage, all tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for holiday gatherings, barbecues, or a light lunch.
Ingredients
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 apple, julienned or thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables and Fruit:
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrots, apple slices, and dried cranberries.
- Make the Dressing:In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey (or sugar), salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss Everything Together:Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Chill and Serve:Refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- For added crunch, consider mixing in chopped walnuts or sliced almonds.
- To prevent the apple slices from browning, toss them in a little lemon juice before adding to the salad.
- This coleslaw can be made a day ahead; the flavors will deepen as it sits.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 207kcal
- Sugar: 23.1g
- Sodium: 45.1mg
- Fat: 7.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34.5g
- Fiber: 2.8g
- Protein: 0.7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg