Apple cabbage slaw.

Simple and Healthy Apple Cabbage Slaw Recipe

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Compared to traditional coleslaw, this apple cabbage slaw recipe has a kiss of sweetness from fresh apples and mildly sweet carrots.

The bright flavors of apple slaw makes it a tasty, refreshing summer salad and also a perfect recipe to use up tart apples during the Autumn harvest season!

With only two steps it is one of the easiest recipes to make! You’ll love this 8 minute apple cabbage slaw side dish.

Apples for apples cabbage slaw.

Best Apples to Use in Apple Cabbage Slaw

For this recipe it’s best to use apples that are both tart and sweet. 

We used SugarBee Apples, which is a new variety of apple that came from cross pollination with a Honeycrisp Apple.

Apple cabbage coleslaw in a bowl.

Other apples you could use would be gala apples, pink lady apples, and red apples. 

If you are using a primarily tart apple like granny smith apples, you may want to add an extra tablespoon of sugar or honey to your dressing to add more sweetness.

red cabbage vs. green cabbage, apple slaw ingredients.

Red Cabbage vs. Green Cabbage

Both red and green varieties will provide you with the crunchy cabbage texture you need for this recipe.

Red and green cabbage both contain similar health benefits. 

The only difference between the two types of cabbage is that red cabbage has a slightly earthier taste.

Additionally, red cabbage may turn your dishes a slight blue color over time since the deep purple color is water soluble and can seep into other ingredients.

Overall, red and green cabbage can be used interchangeably. 

You can even use a cabbage mixture of both types for an extra pop of color!

Homemade coleslaw dressing for apple cabbage slaw.

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

We ALWAYS make homemade dressing for our coleslaw, no matter the variety.

Homemade coleslaw dressing couldn’t be easier to make, and costs pennies. 

You likely have all the ingredients you need right in your pantry or refrigerator already.

The core ingredients in coleslaw dressing are mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt and sugar.

We also like to add a little dijon mustard for additional twang and flavor for a tangy dressing.

apple cabbage slaw in a bowl.

Additional Optional Add-Ins

What’s great about this apple cabbage slaw recipe is that it is super versatile.

Feel free to add in additional veggies or herbs to change this recipe by the season.

Some tasty apple cabbage slaw add-ins would be:

  • Diced Green Onions
  • Sweet Golden Raisins or Other Dried Fruit
  • Celery Seed
  • Shaved Brussel Srpouts
  • Pumpkin Seeds
Apple cabbage slaw on fish tacos.

What to Serve with Apple Slaw

This recipe makes a perfect side dish for a picnic or potluck but also compliments many main dish recipes:

Apple cabbage slaw in a large bowl.

Simple and Healthy Apple Cabbage Slaw Recipe 

Prep time: 8 Minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup julienned apple
  • 1 cup julienned red cabbage 
  • 1 cup julienned carrot
  • ¼ cup of sunflower seeds
  • 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar 
  • 2 teaspoon of cane sugar
  • 4 teaspoons of mayonnaise 
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard 
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste 

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined into an emulsion. You can also add this to a mason jar and shake it to mix and emulsify the apple cabbage slaw dressing.
  2. Add the julienned (thin match-stick pieces) apple, cabbage, carrot, and sunflower seeds to a large bowl. Add the dressing and stir to combine.
Apple cabbage slaw.

Simple and Healthy Apple Cabbage Slaw Recipe

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes

Our Apple Cabbage Slaw Recipe brings a crisp and flavorful addition to tacos and sandwiches. It is also terrific as a side dish!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup julienned apple
  • 1 cup julienned red cabbage 
  • 1 cup julienned carrot
  • ¼ cup of sunflower seeds
  • 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar 
  • 2 teaspoon of cane sugar
  • 4 teaspoons of mayonnaise 
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard 
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined into an emulsion. You can also add this to a mason jar and shake it to mix and emulsify the apple cabbage slaw dressing.
  2. Add the julienned (thin match-stick pieces) apple, cabbage, carrot, and sunflower seeds to a large bowl. Add the dressing and stir to combine.

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Looking for more awesome side dish inspiration?! Whip up these recipes:

Apple Cabbage Coleslaw with Carrots.

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2 Comments

  • Reply
    Ailsa
    April 4, 2024 at 7:53 pm

    What’s the quantity of apples?? Not in the list of ingredients…

    • Reply
      coupleinthekitchen
      April 4, 2024 at 9:18 pm

      Our apologies – the apple measurement is listed in the above recipe but not in the printable recipe card, we will fix that asap. You need one cup of julienned apple, 1-2 apples depending on the size of your apples.

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