Apple Slaw with Cranberry Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Joy

Crisp apple slaw bursts with vibrant textures and tantalizing flavors that dance across your palate.

Cool autumn afternoons inspire quick, refreshing side dishes like this delightful combination.

Crunchy cabbage provides a sturdy base for bright, zesty ingredients that complement each other seamlessly.

Sweet and tart notes intermingle, creating a harmonious balance that revolutionizes simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Raw vegetables offer incredible nutritional benefits while maintaining their satisfying crunch and natural vibrancy.

Seasonal produce allows you to craft a dish that feels both familiar and innovative, celebrating fresh ingredients in unexpected ways.

The magic happens when carefully selected components merge into a colorful, irresistible creation that beckons hungry friends and family.

Apple Slaw With Cranberry for Crunch and Color

• Burst with Refreshing Crunch: This apple slaw delivers a delightful crisp texture that awakens your taste buds with every bite, combining the juicy sweetness of apples and the tangy zip of cranberries.
• Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up this vibrant side dish in just minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute potluck contributions that will impress everyone at the table.
• Healthy Flavor Explosion: Packed with fresh ingredients and a light, zesty dressing, this slaw offers a nutritious alternative to heavy traditional sides, bringing bright colors and wholesome goodness to your meal.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Adaptable to different occasions from summer picnics to autumn gatherings, this recipe showcases how simple ingredients can transform into a crowd-pleasing dish that complements multiple main courses.

What You’ll Need to Make Apple Slaw with Cranberry

• Apples: Crisp and sweet base for the slaw, choose firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture.
• Cranberries: Tart and vibrant dried berries that add a pop of color and tangy flavor.

• Green Onions: Mild, fresh onion flavor that provides a subtle sharpness to the slaw.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the dressing and adds richness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy liquid that brightens the overall flavor and adds acidity.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the tartness of the vinegar and cranberries.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle spicy kick and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps balance the sweet and tangy elements.
• Black Pepper: Provides a mild heat and depth to the dressing.

Toss Together Apple Slaw in Just a Few Steps

Step 1: Prepare Cranberry Apple Slaw Dressing

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

Whisk ingredients until smooth and well blended. Set dressing aside.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Ingredients

• Shredding green cabbage
• Thinly slicing red apples
• Chopping cranberries
• Dicing green onions

Step 3: Mix Slaw Components

Add all chopped ingredients to a large salad bowl.

Step 4: Dress and Toss Slaw

Pour prepared dressing over slaw ingredients.

Gently toss until every ingredient is evenly coated with dressing.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate slaw for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.

Tip: For extra crunch, consider adding sliced almonds or sunflower seeds before serving.

Tips to Balance Sweet and Tart in Your Apple Slaw

• Select Crisp Apples: Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their crunch and provide a bright, tangy flavor to the slaw.
• Slice Uniformly: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to cut apples and cabbage into thin, consistent pieces for an even texture and balanced bite.
• Prevent Browning: Toss apple slices immediately in lemon juice to stop oxidation and maintain their fresh, white appearance.
• Dress Just Before Serving: Add the dressing minutes before serving to keep the slaw ingredients crisp and prevent soggy vegetables.
• Chill for Enhanced Flavor: Refrigerate the slaw for 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex taste profile.

How to Keep Apple Slaw Fresh in the Fridge

• Refrigerate: Store leftover apple slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep crisp and fresh by ensuring the container is sealed tightly.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before serving chilled leftovers, gently drain any accumulated liquid to maintain the slaw's crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this dish, as the fresh apples and creamy dressing will separate and lose their original texture when thawed.

Foods That Complement Apple Slaw with Cranberries

• Pair with Roasted Pork: The crisp apple slaw's tangy flavor perfectly complements the richness of roasted pork tenderloin, creating a balanced and refreshing combination that brightens up the meat's savory profile.
• Match with Grilled Chicken: Serve this apple slaw alongside herb-seasoned grilled chicken breasts to add a zesty crunch that cuts through the protein's mild taste, providing a delightful textural contrast.
• Chill with Craft Beer: Choose a light wheat beer or a crisp hard apple cider to enhance the slaw's fruity notes, creating a refreshing beverage pairing that echoes the apple's natural sweetness and complements the dish's bright flavors.
• Garnish with Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle some chopped toasted almonds or pecans on top to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that elevates the slaw's overall taste and provides an unexpected textural element.

Apple Slaw Twists with Seasonal Additions

• Harvest Fusion: Swap cranberries for golden raisins and add toasted pecans for a rich, nutty autumn-inspired slaw that brings warmth to your plate.
• Tropical Crunch: Replace apples with diced mango and add shredded coconut, creating a vibrant Caribbean-style salad with a sweet and tangy profile.
• Green Power Slaw: Incorporate shredded kale alongside traditional cabbage, boost nutritional value with sunflower seeds, and use a lighter yogurt-based dressing for a health-conscious version.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace cranberries with black beans, and add fresh cilantro for a zesty, southwestern-inspired coleslaw that packs a flavorful punch.

Apple Slaw With Cranberry Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crisp apple slaw brings zesty freshness to your table with tangy cranberries and a light, crunchy texture. Refreshing seasonal ingredients blend perfectly, creating a delightful side dish that complements hearty main courses and adds spark to your meal.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 red and firm apples
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) carrot, shredded

Supplemental Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) celery, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) sliced almonds

Dressing Components:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Whisk together the dressing components in a container, ensuring a smooth and uniform consistency. Let the mixture rest momentarily to allow flavors to meld.
2. Prepare the slaw base by carefully chopping and combining the fresh ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel.
3. Gently cascade the prepared dressing over the crisp vegetable and fruit mixture.
4. Delicately fold and rotate the ingredients using a large spoon or tongs, ensuring each element is evenly glazed with the tangy dressing.
5. Allow the slaw to rest briefly, permitting the flavors to intermingle and enhance the overall taste profile.
6. Transfer to a serving platter, presenting a vibrant and refreshing side dish that balances sweet, tart, and crunchy elements.
7. Optionally, garnish with additional herbs or a sprinkle of nuts for added texture and visual appeal before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Packed with crisp, tangy flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Perfect summer side dish that brings fresh crunch to any meal.
• Balances sweet apples with tart cranberries for a vibrant flavor profile.
• Incredibly quick and easy to prepare, requiring no cooking at all.
• Offers a healthier alternative to traditional mayonnaise-heavy slaws.
• Stores well in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, making great make-ahead prep.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg