This apple coleslaw with cranberries and pecans is a crunchy, sweet and savory version of the classic coleslaw. Topped with a creamy maple balsamic dressing, this apple slaw is still healthy and high in fiber (and cheap!) kale. Plus, it's easy to make ahead and leftovers hold up very well, making it perfect for a gathering, lunch, or meal prep.
Even though this coleslaw recipe screams “fall,” I think this salad is the perfect side dish year-round. It would be just as at home on the Thanksgiving table as it would be for a summer evening barbecue.
While it makes a great side dish, you can also add your favorite proteins like roasted or grilled chicken for a meal!
The dressing it is topped with is a simple mixture of mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and olive oil. I've been putting this stuff everywhere and even have a post on how to make your own Creamy Maple Balsamic Dressing. I also love putting it on a green salad with cranberries and goat cheese.
You'll be able to make this easy apple salad recipe in just about 15 minutes. Even my five year old daughter gave it “two thumbs up!” Let's get to the point.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Chopped green cabbage – For this I used about half a head.
- Apple – you can use any type. I used Fuji, my favorite. A pear or Asian pear would also work well here.
- Red onion – I find that red onion is the best raw onion, but you can use a thinly sliced sweet onion or any other onion you like raw.
- Dried cranberries – I recommend sweetened, but unsweetened will be fine if you like the tart flavor. Other dried fruit such as raisins or chopped dried figs would also work here.
- Candied Pecans – or another candied nut, such as homemade candied walnuts. You can also use non-candied dried fruit, such as flaked or sliced almonds (toasted or not), pistachios or whatever you have! For a nut-free version, use pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds.
- Mayonnaise – or Greek yogurt. Use a vegan mayonnaise substitute for a vegan version.
- Maple syrup – or another sweetener of your choice.
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil, salt and pepper
How to prepare apple salad
Simply whisk together the dressing ingredients in the bottom of a large bowl. Then, add all the remaining ingredients and mix well using tongs to coat everything. If you want, you can let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marry a little and the cabbage to soften, but you can also serve it immediately.
Can I make it vegan?
YES! Simply use a vegan mayonnaise substitute in the dressing, and make sure the candied nuts you use are vegan too.
Can I make coleslaw ahead of time?
I think this coleslaw is best served within 30 minutes to an hour of tossing it together, although leftovers hold up very well. If you want to make it ahead of time, I recommend making the dressing and all the other ingredients separately and mixing them together just before, or up to about 30 minutes, before serving. But don't worry if it sits longer. I ate it two days after mixing it and it was still delicious!
More cabbage recipes you'll love
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Apple salad with cranberries and pecans
This apple kale salad with dried cranberries and candied pecans features a traditional base of shredded kale, topped with a creamy maple balsamic dressing. It's a sweet and savory and crunchy version of coleslaw, perfect for fall or anytime! Leftovers hold up well and can be made ahead, making them perfect for a gathering, lunch, or meal prep.
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Portions: 8 portions
Calories: 182kcal
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ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 spoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 spoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 spoons Maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more if necessary
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper plus more if necessary
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage (from about ½ head of cabbage)
- 1 big apple cut into matchsticks (any type will do)
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion (from about ½ medium onion)
- ½ cup dried cranberries (I used sweetened)
- 2 spoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup Candied pecans chopped (see notes for alternatives)
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup mayonnaiseTHE 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegarTHE 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oilTHE 2 tablespoons maple syrupTHE ½ teaspoon kosher saltand the ¼ teaspoon black pepper until smooth.
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Add the 4 cups chopped green cabbageTHE 1 large apple cut into matchsticks, the ½ cup thinly sliced red onionTHE ½ cup dried cranberriesTHE 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsleyand the ½ cup candied pecanschopped.
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Use tongs to mix everything well. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- To move forward, I recommend mixing the dressing separately and tossing the coleslaw together up to 30 minutes before serving. This is the moment when he is at his best. However, The leftovers are also excellent and it holds up really well, even the day after it was put together!
- This serves 8 as a side dish and the nutritional information is estimated for this amount. This coleslaw can also serve 4 as a heartier salad, perfect for pairing with roasted chicken or a protein of your choice.
- Candied pecans it can usually be found with the other nuts at your grocery store. You can also make your own candied nuts. Other dried fruit, such as plain or toasted almonds, flaked or sliced, pistachios, or whatever you have on hand, will work perfectly as an alternative. For a nut-free version, feel free to use pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds.
- For a vegan version, use a vegan mayonnaise substitute in the dressing and make sure your candied nuts are vegan.
- Other ingredient substitutions: Greek yogurt can be used instead of mayonnaise (in this case add more salt to the seasoning), honey or another sweetener can be used instead of maple syrup, pear can be used instead of apple, and other dried fruit such as raisins or chopped figs can be used instead of cranberries.
Nutrition
Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 20G | Protein: 1G | Fat: 12G | Saturated fats: 2G | Polyunsaturated fats: 4G | Monounsaturated fat: 5G | Trans fats: 0.01G | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 227mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 2G | Sugar: 16G | Vitamin A: 136UI | C vitamin: 16mg | Soccer: 32mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition information disclaimer
The nutritional information provided is my best estimate and does not include added sodium from flavoring seasoning, any optional ingredients, and does not take into account brands. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
