Looking for a side dish that’s crisp, colorful, and bursting with flavor? This Apple Coleslaw is about to become your picnic, potluck, and weeknight dinner hero! With its blend of crunchy cabbages, sweet apples, and a creamy-tangy dressing, it’s a refreshing twist on classic coleslaw that always delights. The perfect marriage of tart and sweet, this salad’s vibrant crunch brings out the best in everything from barbecue to tacos. Get ready to make Apple Coleslaw your new all-seasons staple!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Apple Coleslaw is chosen with purpose—each adds its own unique pop of color, flavor, or satisfying texture. These basics are easy to find, and together they make a dish that’s as inviting to look at as it is to taste.

Green cabbage: The main crunchy base, offering a refreshing bite and mild flavor that holds up well to the creamy dressing.
Red cabbage: Adds gorgeous color and a slightly earthier flavor for visual and tasty contrast.
Carrot: Brings a gentle sweetness and cheerful orange hue that brightens up every forkful.
Apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji): Juicy, crisp, and naturally sweet, apples add that signature twist to this coleslaw—don’t skip the lemon juice to keep them fresh!
Green onions: Provide a gentle, zippy flavor lift that brings everything together.
Mayonnaise: The creamy backbone of the dressing, it binds all those crunchy veggies.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds irresistible tang and really makes the apple flavor shine through.
Honey: Naturally sweetens the dressing, beautifully balancing the vinegar’s acidity.
Dijon mustard: Gives a subtle, savory kick that keeps the dressing from tasting flat.
Salt: Highlights and intensifies the flavors throughout the dish.
Black pepper: Offers just a whisper of heat and depth.
Lemon juice: Not only perks up the whole slaw, but also keeps those juicy apple matchsticks vivid and fresh.

How to Make Apple Coleslaw

Step 1: Prep the Produce

Start by shredding your green and red cabbages, grating the carrot, julienning or finely chopping the apple, and thinly slicing the green onions. Toss the apple pieces with lemon juice right away to lock in their color and flavor—that extra touch makes your Apple Coleslaw stand out with every bite.

Step 2: Mix the Fresh Ingredients

Grab your largest salad bowl and toss in the cabbages, carrot, apple, and green onions. Give them a good mix to ensure every serving will deliver a rainbow of fresh flavor and texture.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a smaller bowl, whisk up your mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and a bit of that fresh lemon juice. The result? A dreamy, balanced dressing that perfectly ties together sweet apples and crunchy veggies.

Step 4: Combine and Toss

Pour the dressing over your veggie mixture, then toss everything until it’s thoroughly and evenly coated. You want every shred and slice kissed by that luscious, tangy-sweet dressing for the ultimate Apple Coleslaw flavor.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover your coleslaw and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This little nap gives all those flavors time to mingle and meld—trust me, the wait is worth it! Serve your Apple Coleslaw chilled for extra crunch and brightness.

How to Serve Apple Coleslaw

Garnishes

Top your Apple Coleslaw with a handful of chopped fresh parsley or chives for a burst of color and herbal freshness. For a little crunch, toasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds make a lovely finishing touch—an unexpected pop that makes every bite a little more exciting.

Side Dishes

Apple Coleslaw is perfectly at home with all types of barbecue—think pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken, or ribs. It’s also a lively partner to fish tacos or piled onto a crispy veggie burger. Its cooling crunch is the ideal contrast to smoky, spicy, or savory main dishes.

Creative Ways to Present

For picnics and parties, try serving Apple Coleslaw in individual jars or cups for easy grab-and-go portions. It also makes a stellar topping for sliders, wraps, or even as a fresh garnish alongside a cheese platter. The colors alone add a festive touch to any table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Apple Coleslaw keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you notice any extra moisture at the bottom, just give it a quick stir before serving to reincorporate that tasty dressing.

Freezing

Freezing coleslaw isn’t recommended—the crunchy vegetables and apples tend to lose their wonderful texture after thawing. To keep the slaw crisp and fresh, it’s best to make and enjoy it within a few days.

Reheating

Apple Coleslaw is meant to be enjoyed cold, so there’s no need to reheat. In fact, serving it chilled helps preserve its fantastic crunch and tang. If it’s been in the fridge for a couple of days, just stir it up before serving to freshen the flavors.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Side Dish

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp and Fuji apples are favorites for their sweet-tart flavor and crispness, you can use Granny Smith for extra tang, or Gala for gentle sweetness. Choose any firm, juicy apple that holds up well when shredded or chopped.

Is Apple Coleslaw suitable for meal prep?

Yes! This coleslaw is fantastic for make-ahead meals. It actually improves as it sits (up to three days), making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or prepping early for a busy weeknight dinner.

Can I make Apple Coleslaw vegan?

You can easily swap regular mayonnaise for your favorite vegan mayo, and use maple syrup or agave in place of honey. The result is just as creamy, bright, and absolutely delicious.

What can I do if my coleslaw turns out watery?

Vegetables release water as they sit—a quick fix is to drain any excess liquid before tossing again with a little more dressing if needed. For an even drier slaw, you can salt the cabbage lightly and let it sit for 10 minutes before assembling, then pat dry.

Can I add other ingredients to this Apple Coleslaw?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in dried cranberries, raisins, chopped nuts, or shredded cheese for extra flavor and fun. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable—customize it to suit your cravings or use what you have on hand.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a fresh spin on a classic, Apple Coleslaw is your ticket to crunchy-sweet bliss with every bite. It’s so easy to make and guaranteed to brighten up any meal—so why not give it a try? Your tastebuds (and dinner guests) will thank you!

Apple Coleslaw Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 32 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

A refreshing and crunchy Apple Coleslaw recipe that combines the sweetness of apples with the tangy flavors of a classic slaw dressing. Perfect as a side dish for summer barbecues or alongside grilled meats or fish tacos.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Coleslaw:

4 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 large carrot, shredded
1 large apple (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), julienned or finely chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced

For the Dressing:

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrot, chopped apple, and green onions.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the slaw mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Serve chilled as a side dish.

Notes

To prevent the apples from browning, toss them with the lemon juice before adding to the slaw.
For a tangier slaw, increase the vinegar slightly.
This coleslaw pairs perfectly with pulled pork, grilled chicken, or fish tacos.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American