Ready in 10 minutes, this crunchy Apple Cabbage Slaw is made with simple, fresh ingredients! It is filled with crisp apples and crunchy cabbage in an easy, creamy dressing. Who knew apple in coleslaw could add so, so much?
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Why You’ll Love this Apple Slaw
Confession time: I used to avoid coleslaw. The heavy, mayo-laden versions just didn’t do it for me. But a few years ago, I started making my own—lightening up the dressing and focusing on maximum crunch—and now? I can’t get enough! This apple cabbage slaw is fresh, crisp, and packed with flavor, with just the right touch of sweetness from the apples.
It’s also incredibly versatile! It adds a cool, crunchy contrast to Smoked Chicken Legs, making them even more delicious. It’s amazing piled high on BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders—seriously, don’t skip it! And if you’re looking for a lighter meal, try it alongside grilled salmon for a fresh, balanced plate.
So if you think you’re not a coleslaw person, trust me—this one might just change your mind. Give it a try, and get ready to crunch away!
Apple Slaw Ingredients & Substitutes
- Mayonnaise – I prefer avocado or olive oil mayo, but use your favorite.
- Apple cider vinegar – Organic has a cleaner taste, but white wine vinegar works too.
- Honey – A natural swap for sugar that keeps the dressing just sweet enough, but you can use agave or even sugar too.
- Spices – A little onion powder and black pepper are all you need!
- Coleslaw mix – Pre-shredded cabbage mix with carrots makes it extra easy. But feel free to shred your own cabbage!
- Apple – Chop into matchsticks. Sweet varieties like Gala or Crispin add more sweetness, while green apples, like Granny Smith or a Honeycrisp bring a tart bite.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Apple Cabbage Slaw
Grab the bowl you plan on making the coleslaw in and whisk together your dressing ingredients in the same bowl! One less dish to wash! Add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, ground pepper, and onion powder to a large bowl and whisk to combine well to make the dressing.
Then, toss in the bag of coleslaw mix and chopped apples, tossing with tongs to mix all the ingredients until the dressing is evenly distributed.
- Because the coleslaw mix can become clumped in the dressing ingredients, tongs help to piece it apart for more even mixing.
- You can certainly shred your cabbage! Slice it thin! Sometimes you can do this in a food processor.
What to Serve with Apple Slaw
This is the best coleslaw, by itself, as a side, and as a topping on burgers or BBQ pork sandwiches. Try it with my Pulled Pork Sliders, on hot dogs and BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders. It’s delicious with Raspberry Salmon, tacos, ribs, burgers–you name it!
Success Tips for Apple Coleslaw
- Let It Chill – Coleslaw can be enjoyed right away, but letting it sit for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors meld. Want to prep ahead? It holds up well in the fridge for even longer!
- Crisp Apples Make a Difference – Use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala to keep the texture fresh and crunchy. Softer apples can turn mushy too quickly.
- Dressing Balance Is Key – Too tangy? Add a little extra honey. Too sweet? A splash more vinegar will even it out. Adjust the seasoning to your taste—it’s easy to tweak!
- Customize It – Add toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or dried cranberries for extra texture and a pop of flavor. Prefer a tangier slaw? Swap some mayo for Greek yogurt.
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Variations
- Gluten-Free Coleslaw Recipe – This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
- Low-Carb Apple Coleslaw (Sugar-Free) – Swap the honey for a sugar-free honey substitute or your preferred sugar alternative. For a true keto version (around 3 carbs per serving), omit the apple.
- Cranberry Apple Coleslaw – Add dried fruit like raisins, chopped dates, or dried cranberries (craisins) for a festive, slightly sweet twist.
- Apple Coleslaw with an Asian Twist – Give it an Asian-inspired makeover by adding a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, and crunchy peanuts or cashews. Toss in mandarin orange segments for a bright, citrusy kick! Like my Ramen noodle salad.
- Healthy Coleslaw Recipe – Lighten up the dressing by replacing some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, tangy alternative.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
I get it; sometimes you want to get creative, add a dash of this and splash of that! Below are some ideas.
- More Tang: Add a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard or a splash of soy sauce.
- Cheese: Add crumbled feta, blue cheese, or shredded cheddar.
- Protein: Make a well-rounded dish with protein by adding chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy bacon bits.
- Fresh Herbs: Try a handful of chopped, cilantro, parsley, or dill.
- Spices: Sprinkle in some ground cinnamon, nutmeg or a little celery seed to pair well with the sweetness of the apples.
- Maple Syrup: Replace the honey with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
- Nuts and Seeds: Bring a crunch to the recipe with chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, and sunflower seeds are also delicious!
- Onions: If preferred, swap the onion powder for diced red onion or sliced green onions.
Apple Cabbage Slaw FAQs
You can peel the apples before slicing or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. I used unpeeled apples because I was lazy!
Toss them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Coleslaw is not an ideal food to feed to dogs. The mayonnaise, cabbage, and seasonings can negatively affect their stomach. If your dog accidentally eats a small amount of coleslaw, they should be fine. There is a chance it might upset their stomach.
Coleslaw is considered a salad. In fact, “coleslaw” comes from the Dutch word “koolsla” which means “cabbage salad.”
Apple cider vinegar is a better choice because the sweetness cuts the acidity. If you must use white vinegar, ensure it is a food-grade product, like Heinz, not the common cleaner product often sold in gallons.
How to Store & Keep Your Coleslaw Fresh
Freeze Coleslaw? Yes, You Can! – Coleslaw made with a vinegar-based dressing freezes the best. If using a creamy dressing with mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt, it’s best to freeze the slaw mix separately and add the dressing after thawing. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Refrigerate for Best Flavor – Store your coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s one of those salads that gets better as the flavors combine—within reason, of course!
Color Changes, But the Taste Remains – If you’re using purple cabbage, don’t be surprised if it starts to color the slaw after the first day. It won’t affect the flavor, just the look!
More creamy salad recipes
- Best Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
- Southern Tuna Salad Recipe
- Bacon Balsamic Macaroni Salad
- Easy Apple Pecan Chicken Salad with Tarragon
- Best Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Dressing
The best way to get the full flavor of this recipe is to allow the slaw to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise use a quality mayo, I like Avocado or Olive oil mayo
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2-4 teaspoons honey Use more if a sweeter dressing is desired
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 9-12 ounce package coleslaw mix I like the kind with multiple colors of cabbage for pops of color, or shred your own, if you want to add purple cabbage, slice or shred ½ cup to add to the mix.
- 1 small apple cut into matchsticks, use sweet apples like Gala or Crispin, or sweet-tart apples, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise (½ cup), apple cider vinegar (2 TBL), honey (2-4 tsps), ground pepper (¼ tsp) and onion powder (1 tsp). Whisk to combine. If a sweeter coleslaw is desired use the higher amount of honey.
- Add the coleslaw mix (9-12 ounces) and apples (1 small apple, cut into matchsticks), and toss with tongs to thoroughly mix the contents. Serve immediately or for better flavor refrigerate for 30 or more minutes.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and doubles or triples easily.
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Notes
- Low-Carb Apple Coleslaw (Sugar-Free) | Replace the honey with a sugar-free honey substitute (my favorite brand) or just a sugar substitute; for truly keto coleslaw (around 3 carbs per serving), omit the apple.
- Cranberry Apple Coleslaw | Add some dried fruit; raisins, chopped dates or dried cranberries (craisins) to bring holiday vibes.
- Apple Coleslaw with an Asian Twist | Make an Asian-inspired coleslaw by using soy sauce, sesame oil, peanuts or cashews to make a crunchy slaw and pieces of tangy mandarin oranges – Yum! Try my healthy Ramen noodle salad recipe.
- Healthy Coleslaw Recipe | To make a healthier coleslaw dressing, replace some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- More Tang: Add a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard or a splash of soy sauce.
- Cheese: Add crumbled feta, blue cheese, or shredded cheddar.
- Protein: Make a well-rounded dish with protein by adding chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy bacon bits.
- Fresh Herbs: Try a handful of chopped cilantro, parsley, or dill.
- Spices: Sprinkle in some ground cinnamon, nutmeg or a little celery seed to pair well with the sweetness of the apples.
- Maple Syrup: Replace the honey with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
- Nuts and Seeds: Bring a crunch to the recipe with chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, and sunflower seeds are also delicious!
- Onions: If preferred, swap the onion powder for diced red onion or sliced green onions.
- This can be served immediately, but letting it chill for 30 minutes or more will allow the flavors to meld; you can easily make it several hours before serving.
- Makes a great side dish on its own, or top your burgers or pulled pork sliders with it.
Nutrition
Amy Nash
Mmm, so crunchy and creamy and good! I could eat this every day!
Thank you, Amy!! I could too!
Janelle
Served this with pulled pork sandwiches. This was the perfect side!
So perfect with pulled pork!
Jenn
Coleslaw can be hit or miss for me but the apple in this really makes it stand out:) And the dressing is top notch!
I hear you! So glad you liked it!
Jules
This coleslaw is my new favorite! I just loved how delicious it is and made the perfect side dish.
Thank you so much!
Lynn
I don’t know if you know this, but I’m a coleslaw connoisseur and this was FABULOUS! Thanks for the recipe!
Well that’s just so fun!
Laura Ashley Johnson
The apple added such a yummy crisp and sweetness to the coleslaw. We had it with pulled pork and everyone loved it!
So delish with pulled pork!!
Bobby
This cole slaw is perfect! I love the crispy apples – such a great crunch. Thank you!
Thanks!
Justine
I do love a slaw that’s on the sweeter side – this one is right up my alley! So creamy and delicious.
So good!! Appreciate your comment!!
Stephanie
This is the best coleslaw recipe I’ve made – the apples and onion powder take it to a whole new level. Will have to try it with honey next time. I don’t think I’ll ever purchase premade coleslaw again!
Yay! Glad to hear and the honey is just a touch and really takes it up a level!
Mahy
Definitely the recipe I have been craving for. It is perfect to add to my planning with all the heavy food that has been going on over the holidays!
So perfect!!
Beth
I love the extra texture and slightly sweet flavor the apples add to this coleslaw. It’s so delicious!
Thank you so much!
Tasia
We love the tang of apple cider vinegar in our coleslaw, but I had never added apples before. The addition was a perfect texture and the extra pop of flavor was enjoyed by my whole family. I also love that photo of the stack of sliders ~ gorgeous shot Kathleen!
Yay!! And thank you, those sliders are amazing!!