Home & Garden

Crisp Apple Coleslaw (No Mayo, No Fuss)

If you’ve ever pushed coleslaw to the side of your plate like a soggy afterthought, this version is here to redeem it. Fresh cabbage, crunchy apples, and a light, tangy dressing turn this into the main event—not the sad scoop you ignore at the cookout.

Bonus: there’s no mayo, and you don’t need to plan ahead. It comes together in under 15 minutes, and yes, it holds up well in the fridge.

Cabbage carrot celery onion and apple coleslaw in a bowl
Photo by LimeSky on Adobe Stock

Why You’ll Love It

  • 🥬 Crisp, not soggy
  • 🍏 Sweet + tangy balance from the apples
  • 🧅 Optional red onion kick
  • 🫙 No mayo mess—just olive oil, vinegar, and a touch of honey

Ingredients

  • ½ head green cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 large apple, julienned (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are ideal)
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

For the dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Shred and chop: Combine cabbage, apple, carrot, parsley, and onion (if using) in a large bowl.
  2. Mix the dressing: In a separate jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
  3. Toss and chill: Pour dressing over the slaw and toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes for flavors to meld (or refrigerate up to 24 hours before serving).

Tips & Variations

  • Add chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds for crunch.
  • Swap parsley for cilantro if serving with tacos or BBQ.
  • Want it creamy? Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt.

Serve It With

  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Pulled pork sandwiches
  • Veggie burgers or tofu wraps
  • Or eat it straight from the bowl—no judgment

Final Thought

This is the kind of slaw that actually gets eaten. No weird gloopy texture, no bitter bite—just fresh, crisp flavor with a light dressing that doesn’t overpower. Make it once, and you’ll never go back to the deli tub version again.


Alex Schenker

Alex loves nature and does his best to take care of the planet. He doesn't take for granted the serenity that can be found in the stillness of an ancient forest, or the majestic power of the ocean's large waves as they crash on an isolated island shoreline. He wants to raise awareness for how simple it can be to make a couple changes in your everyday life that can make a huge difference for the environment in the long term.

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