Zesty Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe: A Fresh Twist on Classic

Vibrant apple cranberry coleslaw brings a refreshing twist to traditional side dishes, combining crisp textures with tangy undertones.

This colorful salad reinvents ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that surprises and delights.

Seasonal produce creates a harmonious blend of sweet and tart flavors that dance across your palate.

Crunchy vegetables mingle with juicy fruit fragments, offering a delightful contrast in every forkful.

Lightweight yet satisfying, the dish appeals to health-conscious individuals seeking a nutritious accompaniment to main courses.

Creamy dressing enhances the natural brightness of each ingredient, creating a balanced and memorable taste profile.

Minimal preparation ensures you can whip up this crowd-pleasing recipe in minutes.

Why Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Adds Crunch to Your Table

• Burst with Vibrant Flavors: This coleslaw delivers a delightful dance of sweet, tangy, and nutty tastes from crisp apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts that awaken your taste buds with every bite.
• Enjoy Effortless Preparation: Whip up this recipe in just minutes with simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious side dish without complicated steps.
• Celebrate Textural Harmony: Experience a satisfying crunch from the coleslaw mix and walnuts, balanced by the soft sweetness of apples and dried cranberries, creating a multilayered eating experience that keeps you coming back for more.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adjusting mayonnaise and honey amounts to suit your dietary preferences, whether you're looking for a lighter version or a more indulgent treat that fits any meal or gathering.

Ingredients List for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Coleslaw Mix: Fresh, pre-shredded cabbage blend for a quick and easy salad base.
• Apple: Crisp, sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Gala for a fresh crunch and natural sweetness.
• Dried Cranberries: Tart and chewy berries that add a pop of color and fruity flavor.
• Walnuts: Crunchy nuts with a rich, earthy taste that provide texture and nutritional value.
• Green Onions: Mild, fresh onions that bring a subtle sharpness and bright color to the slaw.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that helps bind the dressing and adds richness.
• Yogurt, Sour Cream: Tangy dairy that lightens the dressing and adds a smooth texture.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the tartness and adds depth to the dressing.
• Ground Ginger: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning that enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to adjust and enhance the slaw's taste as needed.

Instructions to Make Apple Cranberry Coleslaw from Scratch

Step 1: Chop and Combine Fresh Produce

Dice apples into small cubes. Slice green onions thinly. Roughly chop walnuts.

• Coleslaw mix
• Chopped apples
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped walnuts
• Sliced green onions

Step 2: Whisk Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Yogurt or sour cream
• Honey
• Ground ginger
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of black pepper

Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 3: Dress and Toss Coleslaw

Pour the creamy dressing over the mixed produce.

Gently stir until every ingredient is evenly coated.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

Serve cold as a refreshing side dish.

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Preparation Tips

• Slice Apples Fresh: Cut apples just before mixing to prevent browning and maintain crisp texture.
• Toast Walnuts Perfectly: Lightly toast walnuts in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty flavor and extra crunch.
• Chill for Deeper Flavor: Refrigerate coleslaw for 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld together.
• Control Dressing Consistency: Add dressing gradually to avoid soggy coleslaw, ensuring each ingredient remains distinct.
• Customize with Alternatives: Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds, and experiment with different yogurt types for unique taste profiles.

How to Handle Leftovers of Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. The coleslaw will stay crisp and fresh when kept cold in the refrigerator.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before serving stored coleslaw, gently drain any accumulated liquid and give it a quick stir to redistribute the ingredients and dressing.
• Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze this coleslaw, as the apples and mayonnaise-based dressing will separate and lose their texture, resulting in a watery, unappetizing dish.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

• Pair with Grilled Protein: Complement the sweet and tangy coleslaw with smoky grilled chicken or pulled pork. The crisp, refreshing salad cuts through the richness of barbecued meats perfectly.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the apple and cranberry notes. These light wines balance the creamy dressing and provide a zesty counterpoint.
• Serve Alongside Hearty Sandwiches: The coleslaw works wonderfully with classic deli-style sandwiches like roast beef, turkey club, or grilled cheese. Its crunchy texture and bright flavors add excitement to your meal.
• Complement with Craft Beer: Choose a wheat beer or light pale ale to match the salad's fresh ingredients. The beer's mild carbonation and subtle hoppy notes will highlight the nutty walnuts and sweet fruit elements.

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Variations You Can Try

• Citrus Crunch Slaw: Swap apples with mandarin oranges and add toasted almonds for a bright, zesty flavor profile that brings Mediterranean freshness to the classic coleslaw.
• Southwestern Kick Slaw: Replace walnuts with pepitas, add diced jalapeños, and mix in a chipotle-lime dressing for a spicy southwestern-inspired version that packs heat and complexity.
• Autumn Harvest Slaw: Incorporate roasted butternut squash cubes, swap dried cranberries for pomegranate seeds, and use pumpkin seeds instead of walnuts to create a seasonal autumn-themed coleslaw celebration.
• Greek Yogurt Protein Slaw: Use Greek yogurt exclusively, add grilled chicken strips, sprinkle hemp seeds, and incorporate fresh dill for a protein-rich, tangy alternative that transforms the traditional recipe into a complete meal.

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe

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4.5 from 36 reviews

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

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Description

Crisp apple cranberry coleslaw delivers a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors. Juicy apple chunks and tart cranberries mingle with crunchy cabbage, creating a refreshing side dish you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables and Fruits:

• 14 ounces (396 grams) 3-color coleslaw mix
• 1 large apple, chopped
• 4 green onions, sliced
• ½ cup (75 grams) dried cranberries

Nuts:

• ½ cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts

Dressing:

• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) mayonnaise
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) plain yogurt or sour cream
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey
• ¾ teaspoon dried ground ginger

Optional Lighter Version Dressing:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

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Instructions

1. Gather a spacious mixing vessel and introduce the crisp coleslaw blend, transforming the base with vibrant, diced apples and jewel-like dried cranberries.
2. Enhance the mixture by folding in crunchy, chopped walnuts and delicate green onion slivers for textural complexity.
3. Prepare a harmonizing dressing in a separate compact bowl, vigorously whisking creamy mayonnaise with tangy yogurt or sour cream.
4. Incorporate golden honey and a whisper of ground ginger into the dressing, blending until the components merge into a smooth, cohesive sauce.
5. Cascade the aromatic dressing over the vegetable medley, using gentle, sweeping motions to ensure each ingredient receives an even, glistening coating.
6. Taste and calibrate the seasoning, adding subtle pinches of salt or pepper to elevate the flavor profile if the palate desires.
7. For a more waistline-conscious rendition, moderate the quantities of mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, and ginger, preserving the salad’s intrinsic zesty character.

Notes

• Prep this vibrant slaw ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the crunch and flavor intact.
• Swap dairy options like yogurt or sour cream based on dietary preferences without compromising the creamy texture.
• Toast walnuts briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add an extra layer of richness to the coleslaw.
• Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and acidity in the salad.
• Reduce mayonnaise for a lighter version that still maintains the classic creamy coleslaw experience.
• Customize the dressing’s sweetness by adjusting honey levels to suit personal taste preferences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg