Zesty Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe: A Crisp Summer Delight

Whipping up a delightful apple cranberry coleslaw brings unexpected zest to your summer gatherings.

Crisp cabbage mingles with sweet-tart fruit for a vibrant side dish.

Crunchy textures and bright flavors dance together in every bite.

Bold cranberries add a pop of color and tangy excitement to traditional slaw.

Fresh ingredients create a wholesome blend that surprises and delights.

Seasonal produce transforms this classic recipe into something truly memorable.

Grab a fork and get ready to enjoy a colorful, refreshing salad that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Basics

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Combines sweet and tangy ingredients like apples, cranberries, and apple cider vinegar for a delightful taste explosion that keeps every bite interesting.
• Simplify Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills with basic chopping and mixing, making it perfect for home cooks of all experience levels who want a quick and delicious side dish.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with fresh vegetables and fruits, this coleslaw delivers a healthy punch of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants while satisfying your taste buds.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Works brilliantly at potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings, appealing to both kids and adults with its colorful presentation and balanced flavors.

Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Green Cabbage: A crisp and crunchy base that provides a fresh texture to the coleslaw.
• Red Cabbage: Adds vibrant color and additional crunch to the salad.
• Carrots: Brings a sweet and earthy flavor with a pleasant orange hue.
• Apple: Provides a sweet and slightly tart element to balance the dressing.
• Dried Cranberries: Offers a burst of tangy sweetness and chewy texture.

• Mayonnaise, Apple Cider Vinegar: Creates a creamy and tangy base for the coleslaw.
• Honey, Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile.

• No additional ingredients needed for serving.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

Step 1: Chop and Slice Fresh Produce

Grab a cutting board and sharp knife. Finely shred green and red cabbage into thin strips.

Grate carrots using a box grater or food processor. Dice apples into small, bite-sized cubes.

Add dried cranberries to the mix.

• Green cabbage
• Red cabbage
• Carrots
• Apples
• Dried cranberries

Transfer all chopped ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

In a separate small bowl, combine tangy condiments to create a smooth, zesty sauce. Whisk together creamy mayonnaise, sharp apple cider vinegar, sweet golden honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

• Mayonnaise
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until the mixture looks silky and well-incorporated.

Step 3: Blend and Coat Salad

Pour the freshly made dressing over the vegetable and fruit mixture.

Use tongs or salad servers to gently toss and coat every piece with the creamy sauce. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Let the coleslaw rest for at least one hour.

This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and develop a more complex taste profile. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish.

Tips for Crisp Coleslaw

• Cut apples just before mixing to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture.
• Adjust honey or sugar based on apple's natural sweetness for ideal flavor profile.
• Use very fresh, crisp cabbage and carrots to ensure maximum textural contrast.
• Make dressing and chop vegetables separately, combining only before serving to keep slaw vibrant and crunchy.
• Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that's lower in calories.

Variations for Cranberry Coleslaw

• Vegan Veggie Slaw: Replace mayonnaise with vegan mayo, use maple syrup instead of honey, and add extra crisp vegetables like jicama or radishes for texture.
• Low-Carb Garden Slaw: Swap apples for cucumber, use stevia instead of honey, and incorporate more green cabbage for a lighter version.
• Protein-Packed Slaw: Mix in grilled chicken strips, toasted almonds, or sunflower seeds to boost protein content and add extra crunch.
• Mediterranean Fusion Slaw: Incorporate chopped fresh herbs like mint and parsley, replace apple cider vinegar with lemon juice, and sprinkle feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

Pairing Ideas for Apple Cranberry Slaw

Grilled chicken or roasted turkey breast complement the tangy and sweet coleslaw, creating a balanced and refreshing meal with contrasting textures.

Light wheat beer or crisp pale ale cuts through the creamy dressing and matches the coleslaw’s bright, fruity notes, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Serve alongside toasted sourdough bread or buttery corn muffins to add extra crunch and provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft, creamy coleslaw.

Drizzle spicy mustard or chipotle mayo on top to introduce a kick of heat that balances the sweetness of apples and cranberries, adding depth to the dish.

Storage Suggestions for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Store the coleslaw in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping it crisp and fresh.
• Before storing, gently drain any accumulated liquid to prevent soggy texture and maintain crunchiness.
• Skip freezing this slaw as the fresh apples and cabbage will lose their crisp texture and become watery when thawed.
• Stir the coleslaw and add a quick splash of apple cider vinegar or a sprinkle of fresh herbs to revive the flavors before serving leftovers.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute any crisp apple variety like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Just ensure the apple is fresh and firm for the best texture.

• Is this coleslaw healthy?

Absolutely! It’s packed with nutrients from cabbage, carrots, and apples. The dressing is lighter compared to traditional coleslaw, using apple cider vinegar and a moderate amount of mayonnaise.

• How long can I keep this coleslaw in the refrigerator?

The coleslaw stays fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve after a day of chilling.

Refreshing Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp apple cranberry coleslaw brings summer picnic magic to classic salad traditions. Crunchy cabbage, sweet apples, and tart cranberries create a light, zesty side dish you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

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Fresh Produce:

• 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• 1 apple, julienned or thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

Dried Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Finely shred green and red cabbage into uniform, delicate ribbons, ensuring consistent texture throughout the salad.
2. Grate carrots using a box grater, creating thin, wispy strands that will blend seamlessly with the cabbage.
3. Core and slice apples into thin, crisp matchsticks, maintaining their fresh, vibrant appearance and preventing browning.
4. Scatter dried cranberries across the vegetable mixture, adding bursts of tangy sweetness and deep crimson color.
5. In a separate mixing vessel, whisk mayonnaise with apple cider vinegar until smooth and creamy, creating a harmonious base for the dressing.
6. Drizzle honey into the dressing, balancing the vinegar’s sharpness with subtle sweetness and creating a glossy consistency.
7. Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
8. Gently fold the dressing into the vegetable and fruit mixture, ensuring every ingredient is evenly coated and distributed.
9. Cover the coleslaw and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to marinate, developing a more complex taste.
10. Before serving, give the coleslaw a final gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and revive the fresh ingredients.

Notes

• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter, healthier alternative that keeps the creamy texture.
• Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for maximum crunch and bright flavor contrast.
• Toast the dried cranberries quickly in a dry skillet to intensify their sweetness and add a subtle roasted note.
• Prep ingredients just before serving to prevent apples from browning and maintain the coleslaw’s fresh, vibrant appearance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 185 kcal
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg