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    Home » Salads

    Coleslaw with Apples and Almonds

    Published: Jun 24, 2022 · Modified: Jun 24, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

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    Want to add something crisp and fresh to the table tonight? Stir up a batch of this super yummy Coleslaw with Apples and Almonds. It will take less than 30 minutes!

    This apple coleslaw is a delightful side dish for sandwiches and grilled chicken or other meats, a topping for Pulled Pork, or as a main dish alongside other plant-based salads. I recently included it in a Lunchtime Meal Prep with White Bean Salad and it was a tasty combo.

    overhead close-up of coleslaw with julienned apple. this …
    Jump to:
    • Why Make This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • More Great Salads
    • Tell us what you think!
    • Coleslaw with Apples and Almonds

    While summer certainly calls for cold salads, there are some recipes, like this easy apple coleslaw that deserve a place at the table year-round.

    Chock full of veggies, this apple coleslaw recipe gets its sweetness from the golden raisins, the apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sugar. Crisp shredded cabbage, almonds, and green apple give it a bit of crunch. It gets all dressed up in a dill dressing with a bit of cumin and cayenne spice. It’s definitely one of those salad recipes to put on repeat!

    Why Make This

    It’s super quick. This apple slaw recipe comes together in minutes! Whisk together a quick homemade dressing, add the coleslaw mix, fruits, veggies, and nuts, and give it a toss. Salad in seconds!

    It’s versatile. You can vary this cole slaw in lots of ways, swapping different ingredients in and out based on what you have. It’s great for shopping your kitchen.

    It’s uber-affordable. Cabbage is a very cheap eat. Long-lasting and fiber-filled, it’s a great item to keep on your budget grocery list.

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you’ll need to make this Coleslaw with Apples:

    coleslaw ingredients laid out on black table.

    mayonnaise – I like to use mayonnaise in my coleslaw dressing, especially Homemade Mayonnaise. But if you like, you can swap in Greek yogurt or sour cream instead. To make this apple coleslaw vegan, you can use a plant-based mayonnaise.

    apple cider vinegar – I love using apple cider vinegar since it’s already a bit sweet. You can use other vinegars if you like, just adjust the amount of sugar you add to account for a more astringent vinegar.

    olive oil – I use olive in my apple salad recipes, but you can use whatever cooking oil you have on hand.

    herbs and spices – I like dried dill, ground cumin, ground cayenne pepper, granulated sugar, and black pepper in this homemade dressing, but you can swap in your favorite herbs and spices. Use fresh dill or even chopped mint if you like. You might whisk in a teaspoon of poppy seeds to the dressing for more visual interest and crunch.

    coleslaw mix – This typically includes finely shredded green cabbage, shredded carrots, and a bit of red cabbage for visual interest. You can shred your own veg or buy the bagged variety for a quick fix. If you like, you can add chopped celery as well.

    golden raisins – I love the novelty of golden raisins and the fact that they seem so grown-up. (They taste better, too.) You can use regular raisins or dried cranberries, if that’s what you have. For a slightly different bit of sweetness, you can also add in diced pineapple or chopped grapes.

    chopped almonds – Almonds that have been toasted and chopped are great in this Apple Coleslaw, but you can use other nuts, such as pecans or walnuts if you prefer.

    green onion – This type of onion adds some bite without overpowering. You can also use sweet or red onion as well as chopped shallots if you like.

    apple – I like Granny Smith apples for their sweet tart flavor. Honeycrisp and Opal apples are also good choices as they tend not to brown or not to brown as quickly as other apples.

    Variations

    There are so many ways you can mix and match your favorite flavors in this apple coleslaw. Consider adding in chopped, crispy bacon for a salty touch or use honey mustard or poppy seed dressing for a grocery store shortcut.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Here’s how to make Coleslaw with Apples:

    dressing ingredients scooped into large white bowl.
    dressing prepped in white bowl with a metal whisk.
    coleslaw mix and other mix-ins added to bowl with dressing.
    fully assembled coleslaw in the white bowl.
    1. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, and olive oil. Stir in the dill, cumin, cayenne, sugar, and black pepper to taste.
    2. Add the coleslaw mix, apples, raisins, almonds, and scallions. Toss to coat well. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to a day before serving.

    Notes:

    If you like your slaw on the crisp side, mix it up right before serving as described here.

    If you aren’t going to serve it soon, you can assemble the salad and the dressing ahead of time, storing them separately in the fridge. Leave the apple uncut until dressing the salad so it doesn’t brown prior to serving.

    I’ve made this up to a day in advance with the dressing and apple, and it was still delicious, just a slightly different texture than when served fresh.

    FAQs

    Can I make coleslaw with apple cider vinegar?

    Coleslaw is delicious with apple cider vinegar because it already has a bit of sweetness and its apple essence complements the flavor of cabbage.

    Can you add apples to coleslaw?

    Apples add great texture and sweetness to coleslaw.

    Will apple go brown in coleslaw?

    Some apples brown faster than others. The best apples for coleslaw include: Opal, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Cortland, Empire, and Gala. Choose based on whether you prefer sweet or tart apples.

    divided glass meal prep box with coleslaw, bean salad, and strawberries in the sections.

    More Great Salads

    • White Bean Salad Recipe
    • Mexican Coleslaw
    • Lemon Orzo Salad
    • Corn Salad with Cilantro Dressing

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    overhead shot of bowl of coleslaw with apples.
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    5 from 2 votes

    Coleslaw with Apples and Almonds

    Want to add something crisp and fresh to the table tonight? Stir up a batch of this super yummy Coleslaw with Apples and Almonds.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 160kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • large mixing bowl
    • wire whisk
    • cooking tongs

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon dried dill
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • pinch ground cayenne pepper
    • pinch granulated sugar
    • black pepper
    • 1 14-ounce bag cole slaw mix , can also use finely shredded green cabbage
    • 1 Granny Smith apple cored and julienned
    • ¼ cup golden raisins
    • ¼ cup chopped almonds toasted
    • 2 green onion chopped
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, and olive oil. Stir in the dill, cumin, cayenne, sugar, and black pepper to taste.
    • Add the coleslaw mix, apples, raisins, almonds, and scallions. Toss to coat well. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to a day before serving.

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate and are based on ⅛ of the recipe. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 4 days.
    Notes:
    If you like your slaw on the crisp side, mix it up right before serving as described here.
    If you aren’t going to serve it soon, you can assemble the salad and the dressing ahead of time, storing them separately in the fridge. Leave the apple uncut until dressing the salad so it doesn’t brown prior to serving.
    I’ve made this up to a day in advance with the dressing and apple, and it was still delicious, just a slightly different texture than when served fresh.
    Variations: There are so many ways you can mix and match your favorite flavors in this apple coleslaw. Consider adding in chopped, crispy bacon for a salty touch or use honey mustard or poppy seed dressing for a grocery store shortcut.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @goodcheapeatsblog or tag #goodcheapeats!

    This post was originally published on February 21, 2016. It has been updated for content and clarity.

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    Comments

    1. kay

      May 25, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for Memorial Day and it was delicious. I assembled it the day before, minus the apples, then stirred in the morning, then again before serving. Yum even though I had to leave out raisins due to picky family members.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        June 02, 2020 at 1:31 pm

        I understand the picky raisin people. Glad it was a hit even so!

        Reply
    2. MaryAnn Coy

      July 09, 2019 at 7:56 pm

      Have you ever tried sliced fresh pears in salads? They are really good. I could see subbing dried cranberries for golden raisins too.
      Coleslaw minus sugar is my preference. I often sub yogurt for half the mayo in any salad. Saves calories & adds tangy flavor.

      Reply
    3. Andrea

      June 28, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      Just made this but added celery, subbed seedless red grapes for the golden raisins, and added some chopped avocado on top. Delicious!!!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        June 28, 2016 at 4:23 pm

        Sounds great!

        Reply
    4. Judith

      April 07, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Thank you for this. On day 11 of Whole 30 and needed some variety in our veggies.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        April 09, 2016 at 8:03 am

        Good luck! You’re almost halfway done!

        Reply
    5. Sara S

      February 22, 2016 at 4:37 am

      Thank you for your blog, insights, and great recipes. This one looks delicious, and if like so many others I have tried, will also be great!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        February 22, 2016 at 7:10 am

        Thanks for your kind words. I hope you like it!

        Reply

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