Bring a burst of crisp, tangy sweetness to your table with this Apple Cranberry Coleslaw. Combine crunchy cabbage and carrots with juicy apple slices and tart dried cranberries for a refreshing twist on a classic side dish. Toss everything in a creamy, slightly tangy dressing that balances the flavors perfectly. Serve it alongside grilled meats, holiday roasts, or enjoy it as a light, colorful addition to any meal.
Discover how apples can add sweetness to other recipes like my Apple Bacon Pumpkin Soup. Add apple to a breakfast favorite for a comforting Apple Cinnamon Waffles. Serve this coleslaw on hot summer days with my Buffalo Hot Dogs or Buffalo Turkey Meatball Sub for a balance of flavors.
Ingredients
See below the list of ingredients I used to make my Apple Cranberry Coleslaw.
- Green Cabbage
- Carrot
- Red Onion
- Celery
- Dried Cranberry
- Green Apple
- Toasted Sliced Almonds
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon Mustard
- Granulated Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt
- Curry Powder
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
Vegetable swaps
- Replace green cabbage with red cabbage for a vibrant color.
- Use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix for convenience.
- Swap celery for fennel for a subtle anise flavor.
Fruit variations
- Replace green apple with Honeycrisp, Fuji, or pear for a sweeter bite.
- Use fresh pomegranate seeds instead of dried cranberries for a juicy pop.
- Add pineapple chunks for a tropical twist.
Nut alternatives
- Use walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds instead of sliced almonds.
- Omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
Dressing adjustments
- Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to lighten it up.
- Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for natural sweetness.
- Add extra curry powder or a pinch of cayenne for a spicier kick.
Extra mix-ins
- Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken to make it a complete meal.
- Add cooked quinoa or farro for a hearty, grain-based side.
How to make Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
- Start by shredding your cabbage and grating your peeled carrots. Slice the celery and chop the onions finely. Place the vegetables in a large bowl and set aside.
- Combine all of the coleslaw dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the large bowl of vegetables. Add to the salad the dried cranberries and toasted almonds. Give the coleslaw a toss to coat all ingredients.
- Core the apple and chop it finely. Add it to the coleslaw and fold them in. Cover the bowl of coleslaw and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Storing the Coleslaw
Transfer the Apple Cranberry Coleslaw to an airtight container to maintain freshness. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, stirring before serving to redistribute the dressing. If you prefer maximum crunch, store the dressing separately and mix it with the cabbage, apples, and cranberries just before serving. Avoid freezing, as the vegetables and apples will lose their texture and become watery.
Recipe
Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Ingredients
Coleslaw Ingredients
- 4 cups Cabbage shredded
- 2 medium Carrots peeled and grated
- ¼ cup Red Onion finely chopped
- 3 ribs Celery finely sliced
- ¼ cup Sliced Almonds toasted
- ¼ cup Dried Cranberries
- 1 piece Green Apple cored and diced
Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Curry Powder
Instructions
- Start by shredding your cabbage and grating your peeled carrots. Slice the celery and chop the onions finely. Place the vegetables in a large bowl and set aside.4 cups Cabbage , 2 medium Carrots, ¼ cup Red Onion, 3 ribs Celery
- Combine all of the coleslaw dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.½ cup Mayonnaise , 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 2 teaspoon Granulated Sugar , 1 teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Curry Powder
- Pour the dressing over the large bowl of vegetables. Add to the salad the dried cranberries and toasted almonds. Give the coleslaw a toss to coat all ingredients.¼ cup Sliced Almonds , ¼ cup Dried Cranberries
- Core the apple and chop it finely. Add it to the coleslaw and fold them in. Cover the bowl of coleslaw and refrigerate until ready to serve.1 piece Green Apple
