Crisp Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe
This crisp apple cranberry coleslaw recipe is fresh, crunchy, and lightly sweet. A quick and easy side dish perfect for holidays, and BBQs.

Crisp Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe
This Crisp Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is a fresh and crunchy side dish that’s simple to make. Shredded cabbage is combined with crisp apples and sweet dried cranberries for the perfect balance of flavors. Topped with healthy chopped walnuts. A simple light, creamy dressing brings everything together without overpowering the ingredients. It’s an easy, crowd pleasing salad for holidays, BBQs, or weeknight meals. Find more ideas 👉Cold Side Dishes recipes
FAQ’s and Tips
Can I make apple cranberry coleslaw ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make it up to 24 hours in advance. For best texture, add the apples and dressing just before serving.
What type of apple works best?
- Crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith work best and hold their shape well.
How do I keep the apples from browning?
- Toss sliced apples with a little lemon juice before mixing them into the coleslaw.
Can I make this coleslaw dairy-free?
- Yes, substitute the creamy dressing with a vinaigrette or use a dairy-free mayo.
Tips
- Shred cabbage finely for the best texture and even coating of dressing.
- Chill the coleslaw for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor.
- Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Use raisins or cranberries to enhance flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving for the best balance.
Ingredients for Crisp Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe
- green and red shredded cabbage
- medium apples
- red onion
- dried cranberries/raisins
- chopped walnuts
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- sugar
How To make Crisp Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe
- Wash and dice the apple. Add some lemon juice to prevent it browning.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and sugar until creamy.
- Mix the shredded cabbages, diced apples, dried cranberries and walnuts together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and stir to combine.

- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until ready to serve.

- Easy to prepare and full of color, this coleslaw is ideal for holiday meals, potlucks, BBQs, or everyday dinners. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, grilled chicken, or sandwiches, and can be made ahead for stress-free entertaining. Refreshing, crunchy, and crowd-pleasing, this apple cranberry coleslaw is sure to become a favorite.

Looking for more ideas to round out your meals? Browse our full collection of warm side dishes for cozy comfort, explore refreshing cold side dishes for lighter pairings, or head over to the complete side dish recipe page to find the perfect match for any occasion.
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PrintCrisp Apple Cranberry Coleslaw Recipe
This crisp apple cranberry coleslaw recipe is fresh, crunchy, and lightly sweet. A quick and easy side dish perfect for holidays, and BBQs.
- Prep Time: 10 min, 2 hr chill.
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 8–12 1x
- Category: side dish
- Method: no cook no bake
Ingredients
- 4 cups of green and red shredded cabbage
- 2 medium apples, washed and diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Wash and dice the apple.
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and sugar until creamy.
- Mix the coleslaw mix, diced apples, dried cranberries and walnuts together in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until ready to serve.
Notes
- Shred cabbage finely for the best texture and even coating of dressing.
- Chill the coleslaw for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor.
- Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Use raisins or cranberries to enhance flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving for the best balance.
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