Although this is a side dish, we have some delicious creative ideas to add to make this a whole meal and perfect for a light lunch or added to that brunch buffet tables.
It's a creamy salad combination of dried fruits, and nuts and is a showstopper delicious salad that's even perfect for the Christmas holiday table.
Our flavorful creamy slaw has apples, dried cranberries, and pistachios in it, and great when you want something different to bring to any dinner invitations or family gatherings, especially during the Christmas holiday for a festive side dish.
The recipe is so versatile with mix-ins plus can be made with shredded broccoli, cauliflower, or sliced green beans since the salad dressing is the key to making this delicious cabbage slaw!
Scroll all the way down to the recipe card hit print for this easy recipe and check out all our alternate ingredients substitutions!
Coleslaw Salad Step-by-Step Recipe
- Prepare all the vegetables and fruits by shredding them in a food processor or chopped by hand
- Mix all the salad seasoning ingredients in a bowl
- Pour over the cabbage shredded
- Add the mix-in's
- Refrigerate at least an hour before serving
- See all instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post
Shopping List
- shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- diced apples cored and skins left on
- pistachios shelled
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- dried cranberries, craisins, or raisins
- chopped carrots
- white or apple cider vinegar
- mayonnaise
- buttermilk
- milk
- Optional: cooked boneless meats of any kind IE: bacon, chicken breast cubed
Dressing for Slaw Salad Shopping List:
- mayonnaise
- apple cider vinegar
- honey
- granulated garlic powder
- Greek Yogurt
- salt and pepper to taste
- cayenne pepper is optional if you like heat and spicy
- shredded cabbage
Mix-In Ideas
- chickpeas drained and rinsed
- chopped celery
- grapes sliced in half
- finely chopped onions
- sliced radishes
- broccoli or cauliflower slaw
- fresh peas
- corn cut off the cob
- julienne carrot
- hot peppers
- cherry peppers
- artichoke hearts
- hearts of palm
- raw shredded zucchini cubes or other squash
- add fresh herbs when available IE: basil, dill, Italian flat leaf parsley, oregano, mint, etc.
- nuts of any kind
- cooked chicken cubed
- mandarin oranges
- mango cubed
- pineapple cubed
Tips
- Keep salads cold by placing ice in a ziplock bag in another bowl and setting your salad on top when eating outdoors
- Add pepperoni, chunks of ham, and crumbled bacon, for a meat lovers' salad
- Try mixing greens baby greens, spinach, and shredded red cabbage all nice additions also
- Make a creamy garlic parmesan dressing for a change or use whatever you prefer
- Any kind of fresh snap peas, green beans, or chickpeas are perfect in this salad
- Use fresh lemon greek style dressing for a change or blue cheese
- Substitute sunflower or pumpkin seeds for food allergies
- Keep the salad cold and covered if there are any leftovers for up to 2 days
Pin for later
Sweet Creamy and Delicious Coleslaw Salad
This creamy coleslaw salad goes great no matter what you're cooking!
Picnics, BBQ and just because it's addicting and delicious this is one salad to please everyone who tastes it!
Coleslaw Salad
Yield: 10
Prep time: 10 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M
A mixture of cabbage, nuts, and dried fruit with a creamy homemade dressing festive coleslaw. Chicken or another meat can be added for a whole meal in itself.
Ingredients
- 3 cups of shredded or minced fine cabbage or coleslaw mix (then omit carrots)
- 1 red small apple with skins left on chopped mixed with 2 teaspoons orange juice or lemon juice to keep from browning
- 1/2 cup of dried cranberries/craisins, raisins regular or golden
- 1 diced, or grated small carrot
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 teaspoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 4 teaspoons of granulated sugar or honey
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (add more depending on how creamy you prefer your slaw)
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish:
- 1/4 cup toasted pistachios left whole and shelled ( any kind of nuts can be used and for nut allergies add pumpkin seeds or sunflower seed
- Optional: 1 cup of rotisserie chicken or grilled and cubed ( or crumbled bacon or another cooked boneless meat you prefer
- Note: mandarin oranges, mango, or pineapple cubed can be substituted for apples or in addition (see notes below for more options with mix-ins)
Instructions
- Prepare the apples diced or cubed and add to the lemon juice.
- Shred the cabbage for the salad and add to a large bowl (with a cover).
- Drain the apples if he has accumulated a lot of liquid.
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, both kinds of milk, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings, and salt, and pepper to taste.
- Fold in the dried cranberries. (add cooked chicken if used in this step).
- Pour this over the cabbage and mix until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate this mixture covered for around 1 hour before serving.
- Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to two days.
- The recipe can be cut in half or doubled.
- Serving suggestions: line the bowl or dish with Romaine Lettuce leaves and add the slaw in the center. Garnish with pistachios, and apple cubes and serve.
Notes
Mix-In Ideas
- chickpeas drained and rinsed
- chopped celery
- grapes sliced in half
- finely chopped onions
- sliced radishes
- broccoli or cauliflower slaw
- fresh peas
- corn cut off the cob
- julienne carrot
- hot peppers
- cherry peppers
- artichoke hearts
- hearts of palm
- raw shredded zucchini cubes or other squash
- add fresh herbs when available IE: basil, dill, Italian flat leaf parsley, oregano, mint, etc.
- nuts of any kind
- cooked chicken cubed or another cooked meat
- mandarin oranges
- mango cubed
- pineapple cubed
Tips
- Keep salads cold by placing ice in a ziplock bag in another bowl and setting your salad on top when eating outdoors
- Add pepperoni, chunks of ham, and crumbled bacon, for a meat lovers' salad
- Try mixing greens baby greens, spinach, and shredded red cabbage all nice additions also
- Make a creamy garlic parmesan dressing for a change or use whatever you prefer
- Any kind of fresh snap peas, green beans, or chickpeas are perfect in this salad
- Use fresh lemon-style Greek dressing for a change or blue cheese
- Substitute sunflower or pumpkin seeds for food allergies
- Keep the salad cold and covered if there are any leftovers for up to 2 days
Nutrition Facts
Calories
155.09Fat (grams)
8.15 gSat. Fat (grams)
1.45 gCarbs (grams)
13.69 gFiber (grams)
1.78 gNet carbs
11.91 gSugar (grams)
11.09 gProtein (grams)
8.16 gSodium (milligrams)
152.6 mgCholesterol (grams)
25.75 mgThe default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
These are all copyright-protected images and content. Do not reprint/reuse this recipe or its images without my written permission.
Pin for later
Other Great Salad Recipes to Try:
Watermelon Salad
Beet Salad
Butternut Squash Salad
Caprese Portabello
Italian Potato Salad
Insalata Caprese Salad
Tuscan Panzanella Salad
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2023.