Red cabbage salad with apple
This red cabbage salad with apple is colourful, crunchy and full of flavour. Thinly sliced red cabbage is combined with crisp apple, carrots, dried cranberries and toasted walnuts, then tossed with a simple homemade dressing. It’s an easy red cabbage salad recipe that works beautifully as a side dish or light meal.
This red cabbage salad with apple is colourful, crunchy and full of flavour. Thinly sliced red cabbage is combined with crisp apple, carrots, dried cranberries and toasted walnuts, then tossed with a tangy-sweet dressing made with lime, fresh ginger, Dijon mustard and a touch of maple syrup or honey.
We love salads, especially ones that have a lot going on! For us, a great salad is one with plenty of texture and different flavours in every bite. This one definitely delivers. It’s crunchy, chewy, sweet, tart and nutty all at once.
We also love that most of it can be prepared ahead of time. That makes it great for an easy pack-along lunch, but it’s pretty enough to serve when entertaining or as part of a holiday meal.
And then there’s cabbage. It’s one of those humble vegetables that gives you a lot for your money. A single head goes a long way, keeps well in the refrigerator and can be turned into so many delicious things — from cabbage and bean soup to traditional Greek cabbage rolls. Any time we can save a little on groceries without sacrificing flavour, we’re happy!
Why you will love this recipe
It’s full of texture. Crisp cabbage and apple, chewy dried cranberries and crunchy toasted walnuts make every bite interesting.
It’s easy to make. Most of the work is simply chopping and tossing everything together.
You can make it ahead. Red cabbage holds up beautifully once dressed, making this a convenient salad for entertaining or meal prep.
It’s colourful. The deep purple cabbage, carrots and apple make this an especially beautiful addition to a holiday or dinner table.
It’s easy to customize. Change the apple, nuts or dried fruit depending on what you have on hand.
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this red cabbage and apple salad. Be sure to check the recipe card below for the exact quantities and additional ingredients required.
For the salad dressing
Vegetable oil – Use vegetable oil or another mild-flavoured oil so that it doesn’t overpower the other flavours in the dressing.
Lime juice – Adds fresh acidity and brightness.
White wine vinegar – Gives the dressing additional tang and complements the red cabbage particularly well.
Fresh ginger – Adds a subtle warmth and freshness. Freshly minced ginger gives the best flavour.
Dijon mustard – Adds flavour and helps bring the dressing together.
Maple syrup or honey – A little sweetness balances the acidity of the lime juice and vinegar. Either maple syrup or honey works well.
For the salad
Red cabbage – Slice the cabbage very thinly for the best texture. A mandoline works beautifully, but a sharp knife works too.
White wine vinegar – The cabbage is tossed with vinegar before the remaining ingredients are added, which helps season and soften it slightly.
Apple – Choose a crisp apple that will hold its shape in the salad. A sweet-tart variety works particularly well.
Carrot – Adds natural sweetness, crunch and another pop of colour.
Fresh parsley – Adds freshness and balances the sweeter ingredients.
Dried cranberries – Their chewy texture and sweet-tart flavour are delicious with the cabbage and apple.
Walnuts – Toast the walnuts before adding them to bring out their flavour and give the salad extra crunch.
How to make it
This salad comes together easily once all of your ingredients are prepared.
Step 1 – Make the dressing
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl or a jar and whisk or shake together until well combined and emulsified. Set aside.
Step 2 – Prepare your ingredients
Toast your walnuts, finely shred your cabbage, grate your carrot, slice your apple and finely chop your parsley.
Step 3 – Prepare your cabbage
Combine the cabbage with the salt, sugar and vinegar. Mix together and allow to set for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 4 – Finish salad
Add the rest of the ingredients to the cabbage, pour in the dressing and toss to coat.
Helpful hints
Slice the cabbage thinly. Very thick pieces of raw cabbage can be tough. Thin slices give the salad a much better texture.
Use a crisp apple. You want an apple that will hold its shape and provide crunch rather than becoming soft.
Toast the walnuts. It only takes a few minutes and makes a noticeable difference in their flavour.
Taste before serving. Cabbage salads sometimes benefit from a final adjustment of seasoning or acidity after everything has been tossed together.
Give it a little time. If you prefer your cabbage slightly softer, allow the dressed salad to sit before serving.
Substitutions and variations
Change the nuts. Pecans would be a natural substitute for the walnuts.
Try another apple. Use your favourite crisp sweet-tart apple.
Change the dried fruit. Raisins or chopped dried cherries can replace the cranberries.
Add some cheese. Crumbled feta would be delicious if you want to make the salad a little more substantial.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to chop or shred cabbage?
You can certainly use a sharp knife to chop or shred your cabbage, and this is the way we prepared it for years. But we recently discovered another way! Chop your cabbage into chunks, and use a mandoline slicer to shred it easily! Just be sure to use the finger guard because mandoline slicers can be a little dangerous! You can see this tip in action by watching our You Tube video highlighting our favourite kitchen hacks here.
What apple is best for red cabbage salad?
Any variety apple would work well; use an apple you like! Don’t peel the apple as the skin will provide extra nutrition, and colour!
Can I prepare the red cabbage and apple salad ahead of time?
Yes! Actually, this salad tastes even better if allowed to sit for a while. Rest assured then that you can make your salad a few hours before serving it. Refrigerate any unused portions to be enjoyed the next day!
Storage and make ahead
Red cabbage is sturdy, so this salad holds up better than salads made with delicate leafy greens. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.
If you are preparing the salad well in advance, you can prepare the cabbage and vegetables ahead of time and keep them refrigerated. For the best texture, keep the toasted walnuts separate and add them closer to serving so that they remain crunchy.
What to serve with red cabbage and apple salad
This colourful salad works with everything from simple weeknight dinners to a larger holiday meal. Here are a few dishes I especially like to serve with it.
Maple glazed pork tenderloin
Authentic Greek Chicken Gyros (Easy Homemade Recipe)
Lamb burgers with feta
Greek marinated chicken thighs
Want some more salad recipes? Check these out:
Looking for more delicious salad recipes? Here are a few more of our favourites.
Roasted cauliflower and kale salad
Chopped kale and cabbage salad
Potato Salad (Πατατοσαλάτα)
Roasted beet salad (Σαλάτα με παντζάρια)
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Recipe
Red cabbage salad with apple
Equipment
- Mandoline slicer, optional
Ingredients
For the salad dressing
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil, or other mild flavoured oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp maple syrup, or honey
For the salad
- 8 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced by hand or with a mandoline slicer
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 apple, washed and thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely grated
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts, toasted See Recipe Note
Instructions
For the salad dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake until well combined. Alternatively, whisk to combine. Set aside.3 tbsp vegetable oil, or other mild flavoured oil, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 2 tsp maple syrup, or honey
For the salad
- In a large bowl combine the cabbage, vinegar, salt and sugar. Toss to combine and let sit for 5-10 minutes.8 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp sugar
- Add the sliced apple, grated carrots, chopped parsley, dried cranberries and toasted walnuts. Add the dressing, and toss to coat.1 apple, washed and thinly sliced, 1 carrot, peeled and finely grated, ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped, ¾ cup dried cranberries, ⅓ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- Serve with additional cranberries sprinkled on top, if desired.
- Enjoy!
I cut the recipe in half and it made plenty for a dish-to pass dinner for 6. Didn’t have any cranberries, so they weren’t added. If I had them, they would have added a lot to the flavor, I think. The group enjoyed the salad, though, even with the missing ingredients.
Hi there! How happy we are to know that you included our recipe for this cabbage salad in your dinner party! We are thrilled that everyone enjoyed it, and we hope you make it again, and find much more to love here with us! xoxo Helen & Billie
I loved how it turnes out so I will make this salad again! Thank you!
So happy to know that Diana! Thanks for letting us know, and we hope you continue to find much to love here with us! xoxo Helen & Billie