This healthy Coleslaw with Apples is the perfect sweet, super crunchy summer side dish. The crunchy cabbage pairs well with the sweetness of the apples and it is all tossed in a light creamy apple dressing.
You'll love how crispy and fresh this apple coleslaw is, even with a mayo-based dressing. The apple really lightens it up! Best of all it only takes about 15 minutes to make with just 6 ingredients.
The perfect side to BBQ chicken thighs or shrimp tacos, this coleslaw with apples is extremely versatile and pairs well with any grilled meat or vegetables.
Nothing beats coleslaw as a summer side (except maybe a good potato salad), but it can get a little tricky with mayo content. You love the classic flavor, but don't want it to be too heavy and creamy for a pool day. Enter this coleslaw with apples recipe!
The sweetness of the apples helps you avoid any added sugar in the dressing (no Miracle Whip here!) and fresh herbs and green onions really lighten it up.
Why we love this coleslaw with apples:
- Quick and Easy - This whole recipe takes about 15 minutes to make total. It's the perfect quick side.
- Great for summer - This side dish pairs so well with BBQ pork, chicken, or ribs.
- Healthy - With no added sugar, this recipe fits a migraine diet, paleo, and Whole30.
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Apples in Coleslaw
My favorite part about this healthy coleslaw recipe is adding chopped apples to the mix. They still keep that crunch that you get with fresh cabbage and carrots, but with the added sweetness. I'm not sure why more people don't do this! It's one of my favorite ways to mix up this otherwise traditional recipe.
To add sweetness to the mayonnaise dressing without sugar, a little bit of apple juice is used. This increases the apple flavor - similar to an apple cider vinegar but less acidic.
Do you have to use honeycrisp apples? Not necessarily, but you do want them to be a little sweeter so keep that in mind. Fuji or gala apples will work too. And for a less sweet, more tart flavor, you can use green apples or "Granny Smith".
Ingredients
- Cabbage mix - You can typically find "pre-shredded cabbage slaw" or coleslaw mixes (then just toss the dressing in the bag). You can also buy cabbage and carrots separately and just use a mandoline or thinly slice them with a sharp knife.
- Apples - I prefer to use honeycrisp for these recipe, but any sweet apple will work.
- Mayonnaise - I recommend Sir Kensington's organic or Primal Kitchen.
- Distilled white vinegar - I used Heinz for this recipe.
- Apple juice - Any regular/plain apple juice will work!
- Parsley - Fresh or freeze-dried will work.
- Green onion - Adds a mild onion flavor without overpowering.
Pre-Shredded Cabbage
To make my life easier, I'll usually buy the pre-packaged shredded mix that contains red and green cabbage along with carrots. My favorite is from Trader Joe's but I've also found this at Kroger and Whole Foods where you get your fresh veggies. You can also buy these things separately and just use a mandoline or thinly slice the cabbage and carrots with a sharp knife.
How to Make Apple Coleslaw
Step 1: Mix the dressing
In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, apple juice, parsley, and green onions (pictures 1-2).
Step 2: Add the coleslaw mix and apples
Stir in the coleslaw mix and chopped apples till combined. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes in the fridge for the flavors to combine (pictures 3-4).
Prep Ahead
If you're planning to make this healthy apple coleslaw recipe ahead for the 4th of July or a BBQ but you're worried about it getting soggy, my favorite tips are:
- Mix the dressing in the bottom of the bowl and then place the cabbage, carrots, and apples on top. Then place the bowl in the fridge.
- Toss together about 5-10 minutes before you intend to serve, but place back in the fridge once tossed.
How to Make a Vegan Coleslaw
This is super easy, but all you have to do to make this a vegan coleslaw is substitute regular mayonnaise for my Egg Free Mayo recipe. This is especially helpful if eggs are a migraine trigger or allergy for you too.
Serving Suggestions
While this makes a great side dish, coleslaw with apples has a great way of adding extra veggies and flavoring to other dishes. Some of my favorite ways to mix it up are:
- Topped on BBQ Pork Sandwiches (or tacos)
- As a side dish for Honey Chipotle Chicken
- On Baja Fish Tostadas
- With simple Oven Ribs
- In Chicken Tinga Tacos
- With Buffalo Chicken Thighs
Looking for other BBQ side dishes? Try this Fingerling Potato Salad or this Peach and Watermelon Salad.
Storage Suggestions
Once the apple coleslaw has been mixed with the dressing, it will be best to consume within 2-3 hours. Store in the fridge till you are ready to serve.
After that, coleslaw will be good the next day but will be a bit more soggy. This would make it better to use as a topping for tacos, rather than as a stand alone side dish.
Recipe FAQ
Yes! Pre-shredded broccoli slaw would also work in this apple coleslaw recipe and be just as delicious as a side dish or topping.
Wait to mix the shredded slaw with the dressing. Salt from the coleslaw dressing draws out the moisture in the cabbage, softening it, but also increasing the water content. This can happen within 20-30 minutes of mixing everything together.
To enhance the flavor, you can make coleslaw the day before, especially if you like a really soft texture. I personally prefer a really crunchy coleslaw so I recommend eating within 2-3 hours of mixing the apple slaw with the dressing.
If you don't like apples in coleslaw, just omit them from the recipe. Or for a version that's a little more low carb, use jicama instead. It's crunchy like an apple but without the sweetness.
Recipe Tips
- Chop apples right before serving to avoid them turning brown.
- Mix up the apples depending on the flavor you want. Use green apples for a more tart flavor or honeycrisp for sweeter.
- Buy pre-shredded coleslaw mix - will save you time so you don't have to shred a cabbage or carrots.
Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
For more easy side dishes like this coleslaw with apples, try these vegetarian recipes!
If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.
Coleslaw with Apples
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon apple juice
- 2 green onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh or freeze dried parsley
- ¾ cup honeycrisp apple, chopped
- 12 oz coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the mayo, green onion, apple juice, vinegar, and parsley together until combined. Place coleslaw mix and chopped apple on top.
- Toss everything together when 10-20 minutes away from serving and put back in the fridge to continue to chill. Taste and adjust any seasonings! Serve cold.
Notes
- You can buy pre-shredded coleslaw mix most places, just toss out the dressing if it comes with it. I used Trader Joe's here.
- Gala, Granny Smith (green) or Fuji apples can be subbed for honeycrisp, but I like honeycrisp the best.
- This serves 4-6 people depending on portion sizes and whether you're using it as a side dish or topping on BBQ sandwiches.
Tabitha says
This coleslaw recipe is fast and easy to make and it is really tasty. Not too sweet, not too much vinegar. I put it in pulled pork and pork tacos or eat it on the side. Make it every couple of weeks.
Brittany says
Delicious!! My husband and I like the sweeter coleslaw so we left the vinegar out of it. Love the addition of the apples. Great recipe!
Alicia says
Thanks, Brittany!
Susan says
I was missing Kentucky fried chicken coleslaw so I made this recipe. I absolutely love it! Even more than Kentucky fried chicken’s. Hubby also approved and wants to try it on hamburgers.
Susan says
Really yummy on hamburgers!
Bariann says
I thought I would miss all the sugar from traditional coleslaw but this is delicious! I made it with shredded broccoli and it turned out to be the perfect compliment to lunch yesterday. Another wonderful recipe!
Alicia says
So happy you enjoyed this!! I agree it doesn't need sugar like you'd expect with the apples!
Claire Newman says
Really tasty coleslaw and the apple made it stand out. Used it with pulled pork so it paired really well. Added shallot instead of green onion.
Alicia says
Thanks so much for taking the time to review, Claire!