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5.0 from 33 votes

Easy Creamy Apple Coleslaw Recipe

Ready in 10 minutes this crunchy Apple Coleslaw is made with simple, fresh ingredients! It is filled with crisp apples and crunchy cabbage with an easy creamy dressing. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 77 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise use a quality mayo, I like Avocado or Olive oil mayo
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2-4 teaspoons honey Use more if a sweeter dressing is desired
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 9-12 ounce package coleslaw mix I like the kind with multiple colors of cabbage for pops of color, or shred your own, if you want to add purple cabbage, slice or shred ½ cup to add to the mix.
  • 1 small apple cut into matchsticks, use sweet apples like Gala or Crispin, or sweet-tart apples, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise (½ cup), apple cider vinegar (2 TBL), honey (2-4 tsps), ground pepper (¼ tsp) and onion powder (1 tsp). Whisk to combine. If a sweeter coleslaw is desired use the higher amount of honey.
  2. Add the coleslaw mix (9-12 ounces) and apples (1 small apple, cut into matchsticks), and toss with tongs to thoroughly mix the contents. Serve immediately or for better flavor refrigerate for 30 or more minutes.
  3. This recipe is naturally gluten-free and doubles or triples easily.

Notes

  • Storage Tips
  • Store this coleslaw recipe in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. It's still just as delicious after the next day. The purple cabbage will bleed into the slaw after the first day, but it doesn't affect the flavor.
  • Can you freeze coleslaw? | Believe it or not, you can freeze coleslaw! Coleslaw made with only a vinegar dressing is best to freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge. If freezing coleslaw with mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, it's best to keep the dressing separate and freeze the coleslaw mix. 
  • Variations
  • Low-Carb Apple Coleslaw (Sugar-Free) | Replace the honey with a sugar-free honey substitute (my favorite brand) or just a sugar substitute; for truly keto coleslaw (around 3 carbs per serving), omit the apple.
  • Cranberry Apple Coleslaw | Add some dried fruit; raisins, chopped dates or dried cranberries (craisins) to bring holiday vibes.
  • Apple Coleslaw with an Asian Twist | Make an Asian-inspired coleslaw by using soy sauce, sesame oil, peanuts or cashews to make a crunchy slaw and pieces of tangy mandarin oranges – Yum! Try my healthy Ramen noodle salad recipe.
  • Healthy Coleslaw Recipe | To make a healthier coleslaw dressing, replace some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. 
  • Substitutions and Add-Ins
  • More Tang: Add a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard or a splash of soy sauce.
  • Cheese: Add crumbled feta, blue cheese, or shredded cheddar.
  • Protein: Make a well-rounded dish with protein by adding chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy bacon bits.
  • Fresh Herbs: Try a handful of chopped cilantro, parsley, or dill.
  • Spices: Sprinkle in some ground cinnamon, nutmeg or a little celery seed to pair well with the sweetness of the apples.
  • Maple Syrup: Replace the honey with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
  • Nuts and Seeds: Bring a crunch to the recipe with chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, and sunflower seeds are also delicious!
  • Onions: If preferred, swap the onion powder for diced red onion or sliced green onions.
  • EXPERT TIPS
  • This can be served immediately, but letting it chill for 30 minutes or more will allow the flavors to meld; you can easily make it several hours before serving.
  • Makes a great side dish on its own, or top your burgers or pulled pork sliders with it. 
  • Low-Carb Apple Coleslaw (Sugar-Free) | Replace the honey with a sugar-free honey substitute (my favorite brand) or just a sugar substitute; for truly keto coleslaw (around 3 carbs per serving), omit the apple.
  • Cranberry Apple Coleslaw | Add some dried fruit; raisins, chopped dates or dried cranberries (craisins) to bring holiday vibes.
  • Apple Coleslaw with an Asian Twist | Make an Asian-inspired coleslaw by using soy sauce, sesame oil, peanuts or cashews to make a crunchy slaw and pieces of tangy mandarin oranges – Yum! Try my healthy Ramen noodle salad recipe.
  • Healthy Coleslaw Recipe | To make a healthier coleslaw dressing, replace some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. 
  • More Tang: Add a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard or a splash of soy sauce.
  • Cheese: Add crumbled feta, blue cheese, or shredded cheddar.
  • Protein: Make a well-rounded dish with protein by adding chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or crispy bacon bits.
  • Fresh Herbs: Try a handful of chopped cilantro, parsley, or dill.
  • Spices: Sprinkle in some ground cinnamon, nutmeg or a little celery seed to pair well with the sweetness of the apples.
  • Maple Syrup: Replace the honey with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
  • Nuts and Seeds: Bring a crunch to the recipe with chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans. Pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, and sunflower seeds are also delicious!
  • Onions: If preferred, swap the onion powder for diced red onion or sliced green onions.
  • This can be served immediately, but letting it chill for 30 minutes or more will allow the flavors to meld; you can easily make it several hours before serving.
  • Makes a great side dish on its own, or top your burgers or pulled pork sliders with it. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 11 serving Calories 77kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 3mg (1%) Sodium 163mg (7%) Potassium 114mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 69IU (1%) Vitamin C 17mg (19%) Calcium 22mg (2%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 77

% Daily Value*

Serving 11 serving
Calories 77kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 163mg 7%
Potassium 114mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 69IU 1%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 0.3mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.