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Apple Cabbage Salad

This apple cabbage salad is not only vibrant but has the most refreshing, crunchy texture. It’s similar to a slaw but with a vinegar-based dressing instead of mayo.

Salads are one of the best ways to add color to your plate regardless of the season. Many fall and winter salads will swap out the delicate leafy greens for something a little heartier such as Brussels sprouts or roasted broccoli or in this case, cabbage.

Ingredients

  • Cabbage – a mix of both green and red cabbage gives the salad more dimension as well as a bright pop of color.
  • Apple – the star ingredient that really helps balance out the bitterness of the raw cabbage and adds a refreshing element with a hint of sweetness. Choose an apple that falls on the sweeter side or use a combination of sweet and tart.
  • Dressing – extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, raw honey, kosher salt, and pepper.

Substitutions & Variations

Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

How can you make this apple cabbage salad using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

  • No apples? – use jicama, fennel, or water chestnut instead.
  • No white wine vinegar? – other kinds of vinegar that work: apple cider or champagne.
  • No raw honey? – use maple syrup.
  • Add-ins – finely chopped curly kale, fresh herbs, toasted nuts or seeds, dukkah.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep the apples from browning?

To keep your apples from turning an unpleasant shade of brown in the salad, squeeze them with lemon juice immediately after cutting them.

How do you cut a head of cabbage?

Remove the wilted outer leaves and discard them. Then slice the cabbage in half and then each half in half again and cut out the white core. Then using either a mandoline slicer or a chef knife, make thin slices across until you’ve reached the desired amount.

What should I serve with apple cabbage salad?

You can serve it as a side, with roasted cauliflower or fish tacos, in a sandwich, or as a veggie burger topping.

More Fall Salad Recipes

Apple Cabbage Salad

5 from 6 votes
Platter of sliced red and green cabbage with sliced apples in a vinegar dressing.
This apple cabbage salad is not only vibrant but has the most refreshing, crunchy texture. It's similar to a slaw but with a vinegar-based dressing instead of mayo.
Author: Lindsey Jenkins
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Serving Size 8 cups

Ingredients
 

Salad

  • 3 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 3 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium apple, cut into matchsticks this equals about 2 cups

Dressing

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients together until combined. Taste and add more salt if needed, then set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the sliced cabbage and apple slices. Pour the dressing over top and toss to combine.
  • Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop before serving. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

Side note: it doesn’t matter what ingredients you use for the slaw, just make sure the total amount is equal to (roughly) 8 cups.
No apples? – use jicama, fennel, or water chestnut instead.
No white wine vinegar? – other kinds of vinegar that work: apple cider or champagne.
No raw honey? – use maple syrup.
Add-ins – finely chopped curly kale, fresh herbs, toasted nuts or seeds, dukkah.

4 Comments

  1. Evie Ugrin says:

    Agree totally!
    This Coleslaw is delicious, versatile, very nutritious and yes, easy to make.
    Appreciate the inspiration.
    Evie
    Montana

    1. Aww thanks Evie! So glad you enjoy it! 🙂

  2. Suzie Taleff
    I just made this to have with fish tacos. I added fennel, used green cabbage and avocado oil. It is delicious!

    1. Yum!! One of my favorite flavor combos!

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