For a simple and easy side dish, try Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing. It is full of texture, flavor, and nutrition. And it’s a great addition to any backyard barbeque, picnic, or potluck this spring and summer.
This red cabbage slaw has great crunch, texture, and freshness. There is sweetness, tanginess, nuttiness, and a slight bite. Plus it’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While it’s perfect in sandwiches, sliders, and tacos (you might want to omit the walnuts), this slaw doubles as a fantastic side dish. Try it with my fried chicken, bbq pork, or grilled steak.
Ingredients needed:
- Red cabbage—provides color, crunch, and texture.
- Apple—for sweetness, freshness, and crunch.
- Carrots—impart sweetness, provide texture and color.
- Red onion—for color and a sharp bite.
- Walnuts—for crunch and nuttiness.
- Parsley—for bright, fresh flavor.
- Water and lemon juice—for the apple to soak in to prevent oxidation.
- Low-fat yogurt—provides a light and healthy creamy base for the dressing.
- Poppy seeds—for texture, color, and crunch.
- Apple cider vinegar—adds tanginess.
- Grated onion—flavors the dressing.
- Sugar—for sweetness. Substitute with honey for a healthier option.
- Salt—for flavor.
Recipe highlights.
- Cut apple into matchsticks and soak in lemon sugar water. Drain and dry the apple after 5 minutes.
- Combine dressing ingredients.
- Add cabbage, carrots, onion, and walnuts to a large mixing bowl.
- Add apple and dressing to the mixing bowl. Mix in parsley. Toss well.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
- See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
Can it be made ahead?
Yes. You can prep the ingredients the day before. Store the apple strips separate from the vegetables to keep the apple white. Also, store the dressing separately. Combine all the components at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
How to store:
Store dressed slaw in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. After this time period, it will begin to break down too much.
For convenience and fast prep, use prepackaged shredded cabbage and carrots. I like to chop my own when time permits. A regular chef knife or a mandoline is great for shredding the cabbage. I like this vegetable peeler for shredding the carrots.
Recommended supplies:
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- A grater to grate onion for the dressing.
- Fine mesh strainer to strain the lemon water soaked apple.
- A citrus reamer to juice the lemon.
- Kitchen tongs to toss the slaw.
- Rubber spatula to mix the salad. I have this silicone set. It’s sturdy and seamless.
- Mini wire whisk to mix the poppy seed dressing.
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Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
Description
For a simple and easy side dish, try Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing. It is full of texture, flavor, and nutrition. And it’s a great addition to any backyard barbeque, picnic, or potluck this spring and summer.
Ingredients
Yogurt Poppy Seed Dressing:
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice and 1 tablespoon sugar. Add water, whisking to dissolve sugar. Cut and core apple. Cut into 1/8-inch slices, then into matchsticks. Place in the lemon sugar water. Allow to soak for 5 minutes. Drain apple. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Pat dry.
- If shredding your own cabbage and carrot: Cut into cabbage into wedges then into 1/8- inch wide strips (or use a mandoline to shred). For the carrot, use a vegetable peeler to shave 1/4-inch x 2-inch long strips.
- For the dressing, combine ingredients and whisk until well incorporated. Set aside.
- Place the cabbage, onion, carrot, and walnuts into a large bowl. Add apple.
- Drizzle dressing over slaw. Add chopped parsley. Toss gently to blend, paying careful attention not to break up the apple matchsticks.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
- Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Notes
- If prepping the slaw ahead of time, store dried apple separately from cabbage and carrots to prevent colors from bleeding onto the apple. Add apples just before serving.
- Dressed slaw keeps well in an airtight container, refrigerated for 2 days. After this time period, it will begin to break down too much.
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Oh all the beautiful colors in this Thao! I hate to say it but I’ve been using a commercial cole slaw dressing mixed with grated onion, mustard and cider vinegar. I really need to do my own and love that yours is yogurt based!
It’s a vibrant slaw 🙂
I don’t blame you. Those prepackaged slaws and greens are incredibly convenient, especially when you’re short on time. I like how the yogurt light and healthy.
Beautiful salad. I love that there’s a creamy element. Great ingredients.
Thank you so much, Mimi. I love that it also has a good amount of nutritional value.