This tasty and refreshing apple coleslaw is really easy to make and has the perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and tang. There is no overwhelming soupy dressing with this coleslaw, and it is a great dish to serve at a summer meal alongside your favorite entrees!
Eating coleslaw at summer meals seems like a very natural thing to do...
...as it often shows up alongside burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and just about anything cooked outside on the grill.
It offers a nice balance against the heavy, greasier dishes...
...and it's kind of like an easy way make sure you get your required vegetable component.
And if you like coleslaw, but don't like them to be overly soupy or drippy, you have come to the right place!
It just takes about 20 minutes to make and some time to chill in the fridge and you are set!
No Over-Dressing
While I like coleslaw, I don't like it if it's drenched in dressing. If it's got too much dressing, I think it defeats the purpose of coleslaw being a "refreshing" side dish. So my version has just the right amount of dressing...enough to coat all the ingredients and give them flavor.
I whisk together some mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl big enough for the salad. If you don't want to use mayonnaise, you can substitute with Greek yogurt, or try some dijon mustard for a non-dairy option. Simply adjust the other ingredients to taste to achieve the right flavor.
The Slaw
After I have the dressing made, I finely chop some cabbage, which is, obviously the main ingredient in a coleslaw. You can do a mix of green and red cabbage, or do all one color...it's totally up to you!
The next ingredient to prepare is an apple! The apple provides extra texture and crunch and sweetness to the slaw. You can totally skip it if you want to, but I find that the coleslaw is really lacking something without it. There's a reason why I've officially called this recipe an apple coleslaw...it's better with it than without!
Choose whatever apple variety you like, but pick one that is crisp, like a Fuji or Granny Smith. Obviously, a Fuji will provide more sweetness whereas a Granny Smith will give more tang.
Another optional ingredient is grated or julienned carrot. I can go either way with the carrot, but I do find that it adds a pleasant texture, sweetness, and color to the dish. If you do decide to omit the apple and carrot, I would adjust the dressing to make sure you getting the right balance of sweetness and tang.
Then it's as simple as tossing all the slaw ingredients into the same bowl where you whisked together the dressing and give it a good mix! Chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and give it another mix before serving. So easy, right??
What To Serve It With
As I mentioned above, coleslaw naturally goes well with hamburgers and hot dogs and just about anything cooked on an outdoor grill. You can even stuff the coleslaw INTO a burger or hot dog, and it would give a great refreshing crunch to wraps.
I don't have an outdoor grill, but I have served this apple coleslaw with some other meat recipes and they pairings have been great! It is a nice and simple partner to strong and more robust-flavored dishes like:
- Finger-Licking Slow-Roasted Ribs
- Chicken Skewers with Thai Curry Dipping Sauce
- Slow-Roasted Dry Rub Ribs
- Smoky Chipotle Beef Barbacoa
- Crispy Crunchy Cornflakes Chicken
- Crispy Shake N Bake Chicken
- Dry Brined Roast Chicken
You can also add some chopped scallions to the coleslaw, as well as roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds or raisins. There is definitely room for some variation to this recipe.
I, personally, like it as it is, and you should give it a try as it's pictured here with Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak! How ever you decide to serve it up, you are going to love this apple coleslaw and how easy and tasty is to make.
~ Lisa.
Fresh and Simple Apple Coleslaw
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
Coleslaw:
- 125 g shredded cabbage any combination of green or purple
- ¼ crisp apple, peeled, cored, and cut into matchsticks
- ½ medium sized carrot, peeled and grated
Instructions
- In a medium or large mixing bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients. Whisk well.
- Add shredded cabbage, apple matchsticks, and grated carrot to the bowl and mix well with the dressing.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Mix coleslaw again before serving. Best eaten the same day.
Notes
- Use a mix of green and purple cabbage, or use all of one color.
- Carrots and apple are optional, or adjust amounts according to taste.
- Crisp varieties of apple contribute to the crispness of the coleslaw, and different varieties will either make the flavor more tart or sweet.
- Mayonnaise could be substituted with Greek yogurt and additional honey, salt and pepper, according to taste.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Coleslaw is best eaten the same day it is made.
Love all the crunchy texture in this coleslaw! It goes really well with BBQ.
Thanks, Vanessa!
This slaw is just made for serving with my pulled port sandwiches! It's going to be such a hit. Thanks for the great recipe, Lisa!
Serving it with pulled pork sounds perfect, Colleen! I hope it is, indeed, a hit!
I would have NEVER thought to include apple in a slaw! Such a wonderful combination of fresh ingredients. Beautiful recipe!
Thanks, Justine!
Grated apple really makes this salad...I love how it brings a bit of sweetness to the dressing. When it comes to coleslaw, I really do think simpler is better.
Simple definitely is better in some recipes, Bernice. Thanks for the comments!