Name: Cran-Apple Walnut Slaw with Maple Dressing: A Cozy, Seasonal Side Dish
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups (about ½ small head) green cabbage, finely shredded; 2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded (or use a coleslaw mix); 2 medium crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala), julienned or thinly sliced; ¾ cup (75 g) shredded carrots; ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries; ½ cup (50 g) toasted walnuts, roughly chopped; 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional); 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version); 2 tbsp pure maple syrup; 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; ½ tsp salt; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Optional: 1 tbsp olive oil for a silkier texture

Description

Cran-Apple Walnut Slaw with Maple Dressing is a seasonal salad that brings together the best of autumn flavors. The slaw consists of two types of cabbage, crisp apples, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. These ingredients come together in perfect harmony to create a crunchy, flavorful side dish with the ideal balance of sweet, tart, and nutty flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Slaw

4 cups (about ½ small head) green cabbage, finely shredded
2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded (or use a coleslaw mix)
2 medium crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala), julienned or thinly sliced
¾ cup (75 g) shredded carrots
½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries
½ cup (50 g) toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the Maple Dressing

⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: 1 tbsp olive oil for a silkier texture

Instructions

1. Prepare the Slaw Base

In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, apples, carrots, cranberries, walnuts, and green onions.
Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.

2. Make the Maple Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together mayonnaise (or yogurt), maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust: add a touch more maple for sweetness or vinegar for brightness.

3. Toss & Chill

Pour the dressing over the slaw.
Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Chill for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

4. Serve

Transfer to a serving bowl or platter.
Sprinkle with extra walnuts, cranberries, and parsley just before serving for color and crunch.

Notes

This Cran-Apple Walnut Slaw with Maple Dressing is crisp, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with sweet and tangy flavors. For extra crunch, sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds or add a handful of dried cranberries before serving—great as a side for fall meals or festive gatherings!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 180

Keywords: Autumn slaw recipe, cranberry apple slaw, fall slaw with maple dressing, healthy slaw recipe, walnut apple slaw