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Overhead angle of a black speckled bowl filled with creamy apple coleslaw and sprinkled with sunflower seeds.
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Creamy Crunchy Coleslaw with Apples

If you’ve never added apples to your coleslaw, this is your sign to try it. This coleslaw is creamy, a little sweet, and has the perfect crunch from fresh cabbage and crisp green apples. It’s the kind of side dish that goes with everything—BBQ, sandwiches, or just straight out of the bowl with a fork.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword apple coleslaw, apple slaw, coleslaw with apples, sweet coleslaw
Prep Time 15 minutes
optional chill 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 7 cups
Calories 156kcal
Author Brandi Crawford

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½-1 cup mayo
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener I suggest you start with 1 tablespoon. Taste repeatedly and adjust as necessary. Add more for sweet coleslaw
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder Provides a nice savory balance with the sweetness. Omit if preferred.
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
  • 2 cups diced apples This was 2 apples for me.
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or slivered almonds

Instructions

  • Combine mayo, vinegar, sugar or sweetener, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste in a mixing bowl or your serving dish. Stir until smooth.
    ½-1 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
  • Add in the shredded coleslaw, diced apples, and sunflower seeds. Mix and stir. Taste repeatedly and adjust the ingredients if necessary. Add more sweetener if you like really sweet coleslaw.
    4 cups shredded coleslaw mix, 2 cups diced apples, 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
  • Serve immediately or chill if preferred.

Notes

If you are struggling with watery coleslaw, try this before making it: Toss your shredded cabbage with a bit of salt and let it sit for 10–20 minutes. Then squeeze out the excess moisture with a clean towel or paper towels. This pulls out water before it gets into your dressing.
Use fresh, crisp ingredients. Old or pre-bagged mix that's been sitting too long tends to release more liquid. Don’t overdress it early. If you’re making it ahead, add just enough dressing to coat, then stir in more right before serving.
You can use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar if preferred.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g