Festive Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe for Joy

This vibrant cranberry almond Thanksgiving slaw bursts with unexpected textures and colors that challenge traditional holiday side dishes.

Crisp cabbage mingles with tart berries, creating a refreshing contrast to heavy seasonal fare.

Crunchy almonds add delightful nutty depth to each vibrant bite.

Bright flavors dance across your palate, promising a light and zesty complement to roasted meats.

Quick to assemble and remarkably versatile, this slaw brings unexpected excitement to your festive table.

Minimal ingredients, maximum impact—you’ll love how simple yet stunning this recipe becomes.

Grab a fork and prepare to be deliciously surprised by this playful twist on classic holiday vegetables.

Why Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe Feels So Seasonal

• Burst with Festive Flavor: This colorful slaw packs a zesty punch with sweet cranberries and crunchy almonds, making it a perfect bright side dish that screams holiday cheer.
• Incredibly Quick and Easy: Whip up this no-cook recipe in just 15 minutes, requiring minimal chopping and simple whisking that even novice cooks can master effortlessly.
• Nutrient-Packed Texture Party: Enjoy a delightful crunch from fresh cabbage and almonds, balanced with soft dried cranberries, creating a satisfying mix of textures in every single bite.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this slaw in advance and let it sit, allowing flavors to develop and intensify, which means less stress during busy holiday meal preparations.

Everything You’ll Need For Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

• Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Carrots: Crisp and colorful vegetables that provide a crunchy foundation for the slaw with a mix of textures and vibrant colors.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, clean flavor and green accent to the dish.

• Dried Cranberries, Sliced Almonds: Sweet-tart berries and crunchy nuts that bring festive flavor and textural contrast to the slaw.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps bind the dressing and adds richness.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy liquid that provides bright acidity to balance the dish.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that helps emulsify the dressing and adds depth of flavor.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out the dressing and complements the cranberries.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the slaw.

How To Prepare Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

Step 1: Chop and Slice Vegetables

• Green cabbage
• Red cabbage
• Carrots

Break out fresh parsley and chop into small pieces. Gather dried cranberries and sliced almonds.

Step 2: Create Veggie Base

• Shredded green cabbage
• Shredded red cabbage
• Grated carrots
• Dried cranberries
• Sliced almonds
• Chopped parsley

Gently toss everything together until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Whip Up Tangy Dressing

• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing transforms into a smooth, well-blended mixture.

Step 4: Marry Flavors

Pour the zesty dressing over the vegetable mixture. Use tongs or salad servers to coat every single piece thoroughly. Allow the slaw to rest for 15-20 minutes, letting the flavors dance and mingle.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer to a beautiful serving dish. Garnish with extra almonds or parsley if desired. This colorful slaw brings festive cheer to any holiday table.

Smart Tips For Crunchy Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

• Boost Flavor Depth: Let the slaw sit for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop richer, more complex tastes.
• Customize Crunch: Toast almonds lightly in a dry skillet for extra nutty flavor and enhanced crispiness before adding to the slaw.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the slaw up to 24 hours in advance, keeping dressing and vegetables separate until just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
• Dietary Swap Trick: Replace honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version or use agave nectar for a different sweet profile.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like mint or cilantro to add unexpected brightness and complexity to the traditional slaw recipe.

How To Keep Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe Crisp

• Refrigerate: Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crisp vegetables might slightly soften but will still taste delicious.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before serving chilled leftovers, gently drain any accumulated liquid to maintain the slaw's crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
• Refresh Texture: Sprinkle additional sliced almonds and fresh parsley right before serving to restore the original crispness and add a vibrant touch.
• Avoid Freezing: This slaw doesn't freeze well due to the fresh vegetables, which will lose their texture and become watery when thawed.

Tasty Pairings For Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

• Pair with Roasted Turkey: The tangy slaw cuts through the richness of traditional roasted turkey, providing a bright, refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Match with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the slaw's zesty vinaigrette and adds a light, crisp element to the dish.
• Serve alongside Honey-Glazed Ham: The sweet and savory ham perfectly balances the slaw's tart cranberries and crunchy almonds, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
• Complement with Sparkling Apple Cider: A bubbly, slightly sweet apple cider enhances the slaw's autumnal ingredients and provides a festive non-alcoholic option for the meal.

Ways To Mix Up Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

• Citrus Summer Slaw: Swap apple cider vinegar with fresh orange and lemon juice, add mandarin orange segments, and replace almonds with toasted pumpkin seeds for a bright, zesty version perfect for summer gatherings.
• Asian-Inspired Slaw: Modify the dressing with sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of ginger. Incorporate green onions and swap almonds for crispy wonton strips to create an exciting Asian-style salad.
• Spicy Southwestern Slaw: Introduce diced jalapeños, replace honey with agave nectar, add chopped cilantro, and mix in some black beans and corn kernels for a robust, fiery southwestern interpretation with extra protein.
• Mediterranean Herbed Slaw: Replace Dijon mustard with Greek yogurt, add crumbled feta cheese, incorporate fresh mint and dill, and use toasted pine nuts instead of almonds for a Mediterranean-inspired refreshing side dish.

Your Top Questions On Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

• What makes this slaw different from traditional coleslaw?

This cranberry almond slaw offers a festive twist with its colorful mix of red and green cabbage, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy almonds. The tangy apple cider vinegar dressing gives it a bright, fresh flavor perfect for holiday meals.

• Are dried cranberries necessary for this recipe?

While dried cranberries add a delightful sweetness and festive touch, you can substitute with fresh cranberries or another dried fruit like golden raisins if needed. The cranberries provide a burst of flavor that complements the crisp vegetables.

• Can I make this slaw ahead of time?

Absolutely! This slaw actually tastes better after sitting for a while, allowing the flavors to blend. You can prepare it up to a day in advance, keeping it refrigerated. Just give it a quick toss before serving to refresh the ingredients.

• Is this slaw healthy?

Yes! This recipe is packed with nutrients. Cabbage is low in calories and high in vitamins, almonds provide healthy fats and protein, and the dressing uses heart-healthy olive oil and natural honey instead of mayonnaise.

Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

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

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Description

Festive Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw brings crisp holiday spirit to your seasonal table. Crunchy cabbage, tart cranberries, and toasted almonds create a refreshing side dish you will savor alongside traditional favorites.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 4 cups (946 ml) shredded green cabbage
• 2 cups (473 ml) shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup (237 ml) shredded carrots

Dry and Fresh Add-ins:

• ½ cup (118 ml) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (118 ml) sliced almonds
• ¼ cup (59 ml) chopped fresh parsley

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (59 ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Shred green and red cabbage, grate carrots, and finely chop fresh parsley into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant base for the festive slaw.
2. Sprinkle dried cranberries and sliced almonds over the crisp vegetable mixture, distributing them evenly for balanced texture and flavor.
3. Craft a silky dressing by vigorously whisking together zesty apple cider vinegar, fruity olive oil, robust Dijon mustard, golden honey, and a delicate balance of seasoning.
4. Drizzle the emulsified dressing across the cabbage medley, using gentle tossing motions to ensure every morsel becomes gloriously coated.
5. Allow the slaw to rest and marinate for approximately 20 minutes, permitting the robust flavors to harmonize and intensify before serving.
6. Present the colorful salad as a refreshing accompaniment, with the almonds providing delightful crunch and cranberries lending a subtle sweet-tart complexity to the dish.

Notes

• Enhance the crunch by toasting the almonds lightly in a dry skillet before adding them to the slaw, which will bring out their nutty flavor and add extra texture.
• Swap out honey for maple syrup to make the recipe vegan-friendly, creating a delicious alternative that maintains the sweet undertone of the dressing.
• Prep the slaw in advance by keeping the dressing separate until just before serving to prevent the cabbage from becoming soggy and maintain its crisp texture.
• Boost nutrition by adding extra protein like shredded chicken or chickpeas, transforming this side dish into a hearty main course perfect for light meals or lunch.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg