Apple Cranberry Coleslaw: A Crisp, Refreshing Side Dish

Looking for a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying side dish that’s perfect for any occasion? Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is the ideal choice! This recipe blends the crunchiness of classic coleslaw with the natural sweetness of apples and dried cranberries, making it an exciting twist on the traditional coleslaw. Add in the crunch of walnuts, a touch of zingy green onions, and a creamy yet light dressing, and you have a side dish that is both flavorful and visually appealing.

Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, this coleslaw is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Whether served as a complement to grilled meats, sandwiches, or as part of a refreshing salad spread, Apple Cranberry Coleslaw offers the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.

Key Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

Before diving into the preparation of this delicious and healthy coleslaw, let’s go over the ingredients. The recipe features a mix of fresh, crunchy, and sweet elements, complemented by a creamy dressing. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Coleslaw:

• 1 (14-ounce) bag of 3-color coleslaw mix: This convenient prepackaged mix of cabbage and carrots forms the base of your coleslaw. It’s quick, easy, and saves you time. If you prefer to shred your own cabbage, you can certainly do so for a more customized texture.
• 1 large apple, chopped: Choose a firm, slightly tart apple such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples will add a nice balance of sweetness and tartness to the dish.
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries: These add a chewy, sweet contrast to the crunchy vegetables and apples. You can also use fresh cranberries for a more tangy taste if you prefer.
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts: Walnuts provide a delightful crunch and a mild, nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients. If you have allergies or prefer a different nut, feel free to substitute with almonds or pecans.
• 4 green onions, sliced: Green onions (or scallions) bring a mild onion flavor with a little bite. You can also substitute red onions for a more robust flavor, or even omit them if you prefer a more neutral taste.

For the Dressing:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise: The base of the dressing. For a lighter version, opt for reduced-fat mayonnaise or a plant-based mayo alternative.
• 3/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream: Adds creaminess and tang. Plain yogurt provides a lighter alternative to sour cream, making this dressing less heavy while still maintaining richness.
• 1/4 cup honey: This natural sweetener balances the tanginess of the dressing and the slight tartness from the  apples and  cranberries. You can use maple syrup or agave syrup if you prefer a different sweetener.
• 3/4 teaspoon dried ground ginger: Ginger adds a lovely warmth and slight spice to the dressing. If you want a more pronounced ginger flavor, feel free to increase this to 1 teaspoon.
• Optional: For a slightly different twist, you could add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a splash of apple cider vinegar to the dressing for an extra layer of flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

Step 1: Prepare the Coleslaw Mix

In a large mixing bowl, add the 3-color coleslaw mix. This pre-shredded mix includes a variety of cabbage (green, red, and sometimes napa) and carrots, providing both color and texture to the coleslaw. If you’re using fresh cabbage and carrots, finely shred them yourself or use a food processor to save time.

Next, chop the apple into small, bite-sized pieces. You can peel the apple if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds color and nutrients to the dish. Add the chopped apple to the coleslaw mix.

Step 2: Add the Cranberries and Walnuts

Add the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts to the bowl. The cranberries add a chewy texture and a burst of sweetness, while the walnuts offer a satisfying crunch and earthy flavor.

If you prefer to use a different nut, feel free to swap the walnuts for almonds, pecans, or sunflower seeds. If you have a nut allergy, simply omit the nuts altogether, and you’ll still have a delicious coleslaw.

Finally, add the sliced green onions to the mixture. Their mild onion flavor will add an aromatic touch that elevates the overall taste.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and plain yogurt or sour cream. Whisk these two ingredients together until smooth and creamy. The combination of mayo and yogurt will create a balanced dressing that’s creamy but not overly rich. If you want a lighter version of the dressing, you can use half the amount of mayo and increase the yogurt for a tangier, lighter finish.

Next, stir in the honey to sweeten the dressing. If you prefer a less sweet coleslaw, you can reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons or substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor.

Add the ground ginger to the dressing. This spice adds warmth and depth, making the dressing feel a bit more complex and flavorful. If you prefer a stronger ginger flavor, you can increase the amount to 1 teaspoon.

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until fully combined and smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness or spice level to your liking.

Step 4: Combine and Toss

Pour the dressing over the prepared coleslaw mixture. Use tongs or a large spoon to gently toss everything together until the coleslaw is evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Be careful not to over-mix, as the apples and cranberries can become mushy if handled too roughly.

Once everything is well-coated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the coleslaw for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and gives the salad time to chill.

Tips for the Perfect Apple Cranberry Coleslaw

1. Customize Your  Dressing: If you prefer a tangier dressing, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. For extra sweetness, increase the honey or substitute with a sweeter syrup like maple.
2. Make It Ahead:  Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve if you want to keep the vegetables crisp.
3. Crunch Factor: For extra crunch, you can top the coleslaw with additional nuts, such as slivered almonds or sunflower seeds. You can also add a handful of crispy fried onions just before serving for some extra texture.
4. Vegan or Dairy-Free Version: To make this recipe vegan, substitute the mayo with a plant-based mayonnaise, and use a dairy-free yogurt alternative. Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar.
5. Dress Right Before Serving: To keep the coleslaw from becoming too soggy, always dress the salad just before serving, especially if you plan to store leftovers. This will help maintain the texture of the veggies and fruit.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This recipe makes approximately 8 servings. Here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugars: 20 g (from the honey, apples, and cranberries)
• Protein: 3 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Cholesterol: 10 mg
• Potassium: 180 mg
• Calcium: 40 mg
• Iron: 1 mg

Weight Watchers Points

For those following the Weight Watchers program, here is the breakdown of WW points for Apple Cranberry Coleslaw:

• SmartPoints (Green, Blue, Purple): 7 points per serving (based on the original recipe with full mayo and yogurt).
• PointsPlus: 6 points per serving.

If you adjust the recipe to be lighter (e.g., using reduced-fat mayo and yogurt), the points can be reduced to 5 points per serving.