Festive Cranberry Apple Coleslaw Recipe: A Zingy Twist!

Crisp cabbage dances with tart cranberry apple coleslaw in a vibrant symphony of flavors.

Creamy dressing coats each shredded vegetable with a tangy embrace.

Summer picnics and backyard barbecues call for this refreshing side dish that adds a burst of color to your plate.

Sweet apples blend seamlessly with crunchy cabbage and zesty cranberries.

The combination strikes a perfect balance between sweet and tart notes.

Textural contrasts make every bite an exciting culinary adventure.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet sophisticated salad that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 3

What’s Inside Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

• Cabbage: Crisp base that provides satisfying texture and mild flavor.
• Carrots: Adds bright orange color and sweet, earthy crunch to the salad.
• Apple: Brings tart-sweet brightness and extra juiciness to the coleslaw.
• Dried Cranberries: Introduces tangy bursts of concentrated fruit flavor.
• Almonds: Delivers delightful nutty crunch and rich protein boost.

• Mayonnaise: Creates smooth, velvety binding for the coleslaw.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds zesty tang and helps balance the creaminess.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps round out the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces subtle spicy undertone and depth of flavor.

• Salt: Enhances and intensifies all the other ingredients' flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and subtle spicy background note.

Kitchen Tools For Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for tossing all ingredients together comfortably.
• Small bowl: Ideal for whisking and preparing the creamy dressing.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing apples and shredding cabbage.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise ingredient proportions.

Steps To Make Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

• Veggie Base Prep

Grab a spacious mixing vessel and start building a colorful foundation of crisp cabbage ribbons, thinly sliced apple crescents, ruby-red cranberry gems, and julienned carrot strips. For a delightful crunch, sprinkle in some toasted almond slivers.

• Flavor Fusion Dressing

In a compact mixing container, blend creamy mayonnaise with tangy apple cider vinegar, golden honey, zesty Dijon mustard, and a whisper of salt and pepper. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, harmonious sauce.

• Magical Mixture

Cascade the vibrant dressing over your veggie medley, then gently toss with loving strokes until every morsel glistens with delectable coating. Each ingredient will dance and intertwine, creating a symphony of flavors.

• Chill and Delight

Seal your creation and let it rest in the cool sanctuary of the refrigerator. Allow at least half an hour for the ingredients to become intimate friends, melding their unique personalities. Serve icy cold and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Tips For Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

• Coleslaw Perfection Secrets: Make Your Dish Shine
• Crisp Veggie Prep: Slice cabbage and apples super thin to ensure even dressing absorption and maximum crunch. Pat ingredients dry before mixing to prevent watery results.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Let the coleslaw sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving, allowing the tangy dressing to deeply infuse each ingredient with delicious flavor.
• Healthy Tweak: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that cuts calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
• Allergy-Friendly Option: Replace almonds with sunflower seeds for a nut-free alternative that maintains the original recipe's delightful crunch and nutrition.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This coleslaw stays fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making it perfect for meal prep and potluck gatherings. Pro tip: Add nuts just before serving to keep them crisp.

Serving Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

• Fresh Picnic Platter: Spread the cranberry apple coleslaw on a large wooden board with grilled chicken or pulled pork for a colorful summer lunch spread.
• Sandwich Side Kick: Pair this zesty slaw alongside turkey sandwiches, pulled BBQ sliders, or hearty roast beef for a crisp, tangy complement.
• Holiday Harvest Accent: Serve alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or during thanksgiving dinner as a refreshing side that adds bright flavors and crunchy texture to traditional meals.
• Protein Power Bowl: Top grilled salmon, rotisserie chicken, or plant-based protein with this coleslaw for a nutritious and delightful meal with Mediterranean-inspired flair.

Storage Guide For Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the coleslaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping it crisp and delicious for 3-4 days.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep crunchy nuts and almonds separate until serving to prevent soggy texture and maintain their delightful crispness.
• Advance Preparation Hack: Prepare the dressing and chopped vegetables separately up to 24 hours before mixing, which helps maintain optimal vegetable crunchiness and flavor intensity.
• Temperature Serving Tip: Always serve chilled directly from the refrigerator to enjoy the most refreshing taste and maintain the salad's vibrant, cool characteristics.

Tangy Cranberry Apple Coleslaw

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Creamy cranberry apple coleslaw blends crisp cabbage with tart cranberries and sweet apples for a refreshing side dish. Cool crunch meets tangy sweetness in this simple salad that will delight you at picnics and gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups green cabbage (or coleslaw mix)
• 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup sliced almonds or pecans
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prep Vegetables: Thinly slice cabbage into delicate strands, dice apples into uniform cubes, grate carrots into fine ribbons, and scatter dried cranberries throughout the mixture.
2. Create Nutty Accent: Optionally sprinkle sliced almonds across the vegetable blend for added texture and crunch.
3. Develop Dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper together, creating a harmonious and zesty flavor base.
4. Combine and Coat: Gently pour dressing over prepared vegetables, carefully folding to ensure every ingredient is evenly and luxuriously covered.
5. Chill and Meld: Refrigerate coleslaw for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to intermingle and develop a more complex and rich taste profile.
6. Serve: Present chilled coleslaw as a vibrant, refreshing side dish that balances sweet, tangy, and creamy elements with delightful textural contrasts.

Notes

• Slice Cabbage Precisely: Use a sharp knife or mandoline for ultra-thin, uniform cabbage strands that ensure even dressing distribution and optimal texture.
• Balance Moisture Levels: Pat apple and carrot pieces dry to prevent watery coleslaw, maintaining a crisp and refreshing consistency.
• Adjust Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients gradually, allowing flexibility to thin or thicken based on personal preference or desired coating.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow coleslaw to marinate longer than 30 minutes (up to 4 hours) for more intense, melded flavor profiles without compromising vegetable crispness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg