Apples add delightful crunch and sweetness to salads of all types. From spinach apple salad to crunchy Waldorf salad, apples add both familiar comfort and an air of elegance to any salad platter. And in this creamy, crispy apple slaw, a favorite picnic side dish gets a lift from this beloved fruit.
Apple Slaw Ingredients
- Shredded cabbage:Â Like all slaws, cabbage is the base of this recipe. You can shred cabbage yourself, or opt for a pack of pre-shredded mix from the store.
- Apples: Choose crisp, tart apples for this recipe. They’ll add great texture and flavor to this traditional picnic side.
- Mayonnaise:Â Mayo is the foundation of many coleslaw dressings, including this one. The mayo gets amplified with extras like lemon juice and a hint of sugar.
Directions
Step 1: Combine the veggies and apples
In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, apples, raisins, celery and onion.
Step 2: Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Editor’s Tip: A touch of sugar won’t make the dressing taste sweet, but it will help balance the overall flavors.
Step 3: Dress and chill the slaw
Add the dressing to the slaw mix, and toss until everything is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This time will help the flavors meld.
Recipe Variations
- Celery seed:Â Celery seed is a popular ingredient in many coleslaw recipes. You can add a teaspoon or two to the dressing to amplify that bright celery flavor.
- Dried cranberries:Â If raisins aren’t your thing, skip them or substitute dried cranberries. Cranberries and apples are a wonderful pairing.
- Red cabbage:Â Want to add some crunch and color? Add a bit of red cabbage to your slaw mix.
- Red onion:Â If you love the bite of red onion, feel free to use it in this recipe! It’ll add brightness and color to this salad.
How to Store Apple Slaw
Good news if you’re prepping ahead for your picnic: Coleslaw, including this apple slaw, lasts for up to five days in the fridge. However, know that the crunchy slaw will soften more as the days pass, and the apples may brown slightly, even with the acidic dressing.
Apple Slaw Tips
What apples are best for this recipe?
For this recipe, choose types of apples with a firm, crisp texture, like Cortland, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples will maintain their shape and give this salad a nice crunch.
If you opt for an apple that’s sweet (rather than very tart like Granny Smith), you can reduce the amount of sugar in this dressing by half.
What can you serve with apple coleslaw?
Coleslaw of any kind is a great addition to casual meals. Serve this coleslaw alongside burgers or at your next cookout. The apples in this recipe make this salad a great addition to late summer and early fall menus.
