The Zippiest Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe Ever

Crisp summer days call for a zingy apple cranberry coleslaw that bursts with unexpected flavor combinations.

Sweet and tart dance across your palate with each refreshing bite.

Crunchy cabbage mingles with juicy apple chunks, creating a vibrant salad that screams fresh and fun.

Bright cranberries add a pop of color and tangy excitement to this classic side dish.

Mediterranean-inspired herbs whisper complexity into every forkful, making this coleslaw anything but ordinary.

Bold textures and zesty notes promise a crowd-pleasing experience that goes beyond traditional recipes.

You’ll want to make this delightful slaw your new go-to summer companion.

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Overview

• Craft a Colorful Culinary Canvas: Blend vibrant green and red cabbage with crisp apple slices and ruby-red cranberries to create a visually stunning salad that's as beautiful as it is delicious.
• Nail the Perfect Balance of Flavors: Combine sweet, tart, and creamy elements with the tangy apple cider vinegar and honey dressing that brings every ingredient to life in a harmonious dance of taste.
• Customize Your Coleslaw Adventure: Easily swap ingredients or adjust seasoning to match your personal preferences, making this recipe a versatile crowd-pleaser for any gathering or meal.
• Boost Nutrition with Minimal Effort: Pack in a powerhouse of nutrients from fresh vegetables and fruits, creating a healthy side dish that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.

Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Carrots: Provide a crunchy and colorful base for the coleslaw.
• Apple: Offers a sweet and tart flavor that complements the creamy dressing.
• Dried Cranberries: Add a burst of color and natural sweetness to the salad.
• Green Onions: Contribute a mild, fresh onion flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Mayonnaise: Creates a rich and creamy base for the dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a tangy acidity to balance the sweetness.
• Honey, Sugar: Provide a touch of sweetness to round out the flavor profile.

• Salt, Pepper: Help to enhance and balance the overall taste of the coleslaw.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

Step 1: Chop and Prepare Colorful Ingredients

Grab your cutting board and knife. Shred green and red cabbage into thin ribbons.

Grate carrots into delicate strands. Slice apples into slender matchsticks.

• Dried cranberries
• Green onions

Toss all ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant vegetable canvas.

Step 2: Craft A Creamy Tangy Dressing

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

Whisk everything together until the mixture transforms into a smooth, silky consistency.

The goal is a balanced dressing that’s creamy yet bright.

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Pour the dressing over your colorful vegetable mixture.

Use tongs or a large spoon to gently fold and coat every morsel. Ensure each cabbage strand and apple slice gets a luxurious dressing embrace.

Step 4: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Cover the bowl and slide into the refrigerator. Let the coleslaw rest for at least one hour.

This resting period allows flavors to mingle and ingredients to soften. Before serving, give another quick toss and taste.

Adjust seasonings if needed.

Serve chilled and enjoy your vibrant, crisp, and refreshing coleslaw!

Tips for Fresh Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Cut apples just before mixing to prevent browning and maintain fresh, crisp texture. A quick spritz of lemon juice can help preserve their bright color and prevent oxidation.
• Adjust mayonnaise quantity for desired creaminess. For a lighter version, swap half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining rich flavor.
• Let coleslaw rest in refrigerator for at least an hour, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex taste. Flavors will meld beautifully during chilling time.
• Incorporate toasted nuts like sliced almonds or chopped pecans for extra texture and nutty dimension. These additions provide delightful crunch and nutritional boost to the salad.

Variations on Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Vegan Apple Cranberry Slaw: Replace mayonnaise with vegan cashew cream or plant-based yogurt for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture and tangy flavor profile.
• Greek Yogurt Protein Coleslaw: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to increase protein content and create a lighter, tangier dressing while keeping the original recipe's core ingredients.
• Spicy Jalapeño Apple Coleslaw: Add finely chopped jalapeños and a dash of sriracha sauce to the dressing for a zesty kick that complements the sweet apple and cranberry elements.
• Herb-Infused Mediterranean Version: Mix in fresh chopped herbs like mint, parsley, and dill to transform the coleslaw with Mediterranean-inspired flavors and enhance the overall freshness.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Choose a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the tangy and sweet notes of the coleslaw, cutting through the creamy dressing while enhancing the apple and cranberry flavors.
• Serve alongside grilled chicken or pulled pork, as the coleslaw's bright acidity and fruity undertones balance the rich, smoky meat flavors, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal combination.
• Use this coleslaw as a zesty topping for pulled pork sandwiches or as a refreshing side dish for barbecue-style meals, where its crisp texture and sweet-tangy profile elevate the overall dining experience.

Storage Guidelines for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness.
• Before storing or reheating, drain any accumulated liquid to prevent soggy coleslaw. Use a slotted spoon when serving to keep the crisp texture.
• Avoid freezing this coleslaw as the fresh apples and crisp vegetables will become mushy and lose their texture when thawed.
• Before serving leftover coleslaw, stir thoroughly and add a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar to revive the flavors and restore some crispness to the vegetables.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?

Yes, you can substitute white wine vinegar or rice vinegar. These alternatives will provide a similar tangy flavor to the dressing.

• How do I prevent the apple from turning brown?

Toss the apple slices with a little lemon juice immediately after cutting. This will help prevent oxidation and keep the apple looking fresh and crisp.

• Is this coleslaw suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The recipe can be easily modified. Use vegan mayonnaise for a dairy-free version, or Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing. For a gluten-free option, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Zingy Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp apple and cranberry “Zingy Apple Cranberry Coleslaw” delivers a refreshing twist on classic slaw with tangy undertones. Crunchy cabbage and sweet-tart fruit create a delightful side dish you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

Fruits:

• 1 apple, julienned or thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Dressing:

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

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Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetable and fruit foundation by combining shredded green and red cabbage with carrots in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant, textured base for the coleslaw.
2. Transform the apple into delicate matchstick-sized pieces, ensuring uniform and elegant slices that will complement the cabbage mixture.
3. Enhance the cabbage blend by incorporating the julienned apple, dried cranberries, and finely chopped green onions, introducing layers of color, sweetness, and subtle sharpness.
4. Craft a harmonious dressing by whisking mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
5. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the cabbage and fruit mixture, using tongs to gently coat every ingredient, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
6. Refrigerate the coleslaw for a minimum of 1 hour at 40°F, allowing the ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex taste profile.
7. Before serving, give the coleslaw a final gentle toss, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy notes.

Notes

• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter, healthier alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Toast chopped nuts like almonds or pecans and sprinkle on top for extra crunch and nutty flavor dimension.
• For a low-carb version, replace honey with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce sugar content.
• Slice apples immediately before mixing to prevent browning, using a splash of lemon juice as a natural preservative.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg