This Apple Coleslaw is a light and crisp spin on a classic! Full of crunchy fruit and veggies covered in a tangy-sweet dressing!
You know this recipe is a keeper when your dairy-free husband eats a massive bowl of it because it’s “so good, and worth how bad I’m going to feel afterward” (his words).
Honestly, I have to agree with him. If I couldn’t eat dairy, I would still eat this apple coleslaw because it’s just THAT GOOD. It’s a little more sweet than my Oriental Coleslaw and a little lighter than my Shredded Cabbage Salad with Apples…
… which basically means that it is perfect.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
In the summertime, everyone loves grilling out (I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t!) and what goes better with grilled goodness than a fresh and flavorful summer coleslaw? That’s right. Nothing. Whether you’re grilling up some beef brisket, a couple of homemade hamburgers or a cauliflower steak or two (for the non-meat-eaters among us) nothing goes better than a crisp, colorful side of freshly made coleslaw.
And, we’re not talking about the simple stuff here. Something vibrant, flavorful and just right for the occasion. That’s where this healthy and delicious apple coleslaw comes in. It’s sweet, yet tangy and provides a fantastic crunch you just wouldn’t get from a store-bought alternative.
Is Apple Coleslaw Healthy?
A little high in salt and a little high in fat, this isn’t something you want to be eating mountains of. But as an occasional summer side, it’s no problem to add a few spoonfuls to your plate. On the brighter side, this apple coleslaw also includes plenty of nutritious ingredients, including carrots, cabbage, almonds and green onions. This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free and can easily be made vegan by swapping the honey for maple syrup and the yogurt and mayonnaise for plant-based alternatives.
How to make ahead and store
This apple coleslaw is best made a few hours ahead of time, just to give those flavors time to meld. Once assembled though, eat as soon as possible for the ultimate texture and flavor. If that’s not possible (or you want to save some for a sneaky snack later on) keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days max.
Serving Suggestions
Now that you have a fresh, chilled, colorful bowl of delicious coleslaw with apples, it’s time to serve it up! Try it alongside your favorite protein, such as this Simple Coffee-Rubbed Steak, and a side of crisp, crunchy Air Fryer Potato Wedges. It also goes great with Brisket Sandwiches and these quick and super tasty Oven-Baked Hamburgers.
If this recipe has opened your eyes to the world of coleslaw and all its possibilities, you might like to take a look at these other variations, too: there’s Carolina Coleslaw, Jalapeño Coleslaw or this Simple Mexican Coleslaw.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 small head of green cabbage, shredded (about 7-8 cups)
- 2 large carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 2 large apples, cut into matchsticks (I used Fuji)
- 1/2 cup green onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 1/4 cup parsley, very finely minced
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds in a small pan and cook until lightly browned and toasted, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a large bowl, stir together all the salad ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- DEVOUR immediately, but best if you cover it and refrigerate for at least 2 hours!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
This recipe is killer. The dressings honey/vinegar ratio is perfect. I used honey crisp apples and I ended up using 1/4 cup Mayo and the rest was Greek yogurt. I am printing this immediately for my recipe arsenal, thank you!!!
So happy you like it Mallory