If you like apples in your coleslaw, this recipe for Apple Coleslaw is all you need to impress your family and friends this summer. This recipe is packed with flavors and different textures.
What is apple coleslaw made of?
This salad is made with colorful vegetables, like cabbage and carrots combined with fresh apples, dried fruit, and nuts. It makes an excellent choice for your next party.
Coleslaw salad is a staple for American summer parties.
I never went to a barbecue, picnic, or summer celebration without having a variation of the famous coleslaw salad.
Do you know that the coleslaw name comes from the Dutch “koolsla,” which means cabbage salad? Initially, this salad was made only with cabbage, but other vegetables, fruits, and nuts became part of the regular mixtures as the recipe evolved.
This apple coleslaw is packed with nutrients and has lovely textures. It is also a versatile recipe, as you can replace some ingredients with the ones you like or omit the ones you don’t.
What ingredients go into this apple coleslaw salad?
Cabbage:
It would not be a coleslaw salad if cabbage would not be involved. In this salad, you can use either only white cabbage or a mixture of white and red. We like colors and variety.
Apples:
Use what you have available. I used red apples. Some people like the Granny Smith variety in the coleslaw, as it is a sour apple that is also low in sugar and high in fibers.
I like sweeter apples, which I used in this salad. I do not bother to peel the apples, and I do not shred them either. I like to slice them thinly or cube them for more texture. Also, the apple skin has a lot of fiber and vitamins, which are good for us.
Carrots:
Grate or chop them finely.
Bell peppers:
I like red bell pepper, but this is an excellent opportunity to add a yellow or orange pepper to the mixture. The more, the merrier. Your salad will be colorful and unique.
Green onions:
If it’s summer, let’s use green onions. They are mild and delicious and bring texture and zing to this coleslaw. If you do not have green, use red onions, which are milder and sweeter than the regular type.
Nuts (optional):
My choice for this salad was the humble pecan, but you can always use what you have available. If you like almonds, use them, but also walnuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, or cashews are good options.
Dried fruits:
I love cranberries. Raisins, cherries, or a mixture are great if you don’t have cranberries.
Ingredients for the salad dressing:
Mayonnaise:
This is the classic binder for the dressing, and most coleslaw recipes use it. I am not a fan of Greek yogurt, but it is an option if you like it.
Honey:
I’m not too fond of coleslaw recipes that are too sweet, and there are plenty of them out there that use crazy amounts of brown sugar.
I make my dressing with honey and add only two tablespoons, just enough to balance the lemon juice or the vinegar in the recipe.
Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar:
You can skip the lemon juice and add more apple cider vinegar. I use lemon juice for the apples so they don’t get brown in the salad.
Salt:
Salt is optional because it all depends on how salty the mayo is. Taste the salad first and add salt only if you feel like it needs it.
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How to make the apple coleslaw salad
Step 1. Shred the cabbage and carrots.
Use a vegetable grater, a mandoline, or a food processor.
Tip: If you are in a hurry, use a bag of already shredded cabbage and carrots.
Do I need to wash cabbage before making coleslaw?
I usually wash and peel the outer layer of the cabbage, just to ensure that I am not contaminating its inside with anything. Then, I cut the cabbage into wedges and rinse them under running water. Why? Because insects or worms could make a home inside the cabbage, and I don’t want them in my salad.
Step 2. Chop the rest of the vegetables.
Chop the green onions, peppers, and apples and place them in a large salad bowl. Add the nuts and dried fruits to it.
Tip: Toss the chopped apples in lemon juice to avoid browning before adding them to the salad.
Step 3.
Mix mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
Step 4.
Pour dressing over the veggies and mix everything well to combine. Refrigerate for at least an hour before you serve it.
How to store this apple coleslaw salad
This salad should not sit at room temperature or outside for more than two hours. Leftovers need to be refrigerated in an airtight container. The vegetables will lose their crunch, but the salad will last in the fridge for up to four days.
Can I freeze coleslaw?
No, I do not recommend it. Coleslaw dressing doesn’t freeze well. Dressings made with mayonnaise tend to separate and overall affect the taste and the texture of the salad.
Can I make this salad in advance?
Yes, you can make it within 2-3 days before you plan to serve it. However, I would add the dressing over the vegetables only two hours before serving it, as this salad tends to get soggy and limp after a day or two. For the best presentation, make it fresh.
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What to serve with apple slaw
Apple coleslaw is an excellent addition to any meal. Bring it to a party and serve it with potato salad, corn, beans, and any grilled or roasted meats, like burgers, sausages, or pulled chicken or pork sandwiches. This salad goes well with cold cuts and cheese sandwiches too.
Serve it by itself. It is loaded with vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients good for you. Add shredded cooked chicken to it and have it for lunch. The sky is the limit!
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Apple Coleslaw
If you like apples in your coleslaw, this recipe of Apple Coleslaw is all you need to impress your family and friends this summer. This recipe is packed with flavors and different textures. Colorful vegetables combined with fresh apples, dried fruit and nuts make this salad a great choice for your next party.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded white cabbage
- 2 unpeeled red apples, chopped with the core removed
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Shred the cabbage and carrots, chop the green onions, peppers and apples. Tip: Toss the chopped apples in lemon juice to avoid browning, before you add them to the salad.
- Combine all the vegetables in a large salad bowl. Add nuts and dried fruits to the mix.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
- Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss to combine. Taste for salt. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- This salad should not be kept at room temperature or outside in the sun for more than two hours. It needs to be refrigerated. The vegetables will lose their crunch, but the salad can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- I do not recommend freezing it. The mayo dressing doesn't freeze well.
Notes
Ingredient replacement ideas:
Nuts: Replace pecans with sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, cashews etc.
Cranberries: Replace them with raisins, dried cherries or a mixture of them.
Lemon juice: Replace the juice with more apple cider vinegar
Apples: Use a red apple and a Granny Smith, or Fuji, Gala etc.
Cabbage: You can use a mixture of red and white cabbage.
Peppers: Use a mixture of red, yellow and orange bell peppers for a colorful salad.
Mayonnaise: If you are not a fan of it, omit it completely from the recipe. The texture will not be creamy, but it will still be very good.
Tips for making the salad:
- Toss the chopped apples in lemon juice to avoid browning, before you add them to the salad.
- Lightly salt the shredded cabbage in a collander, let it sit for 20 minutes, squeeze the extra juice from it, and place it in the salad bowl. This way, the salad will not get watery.
- Add a touch of Dijon mustard to the dressing for extra zing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g