Green Apple Cabbage Summer Coleslaw Recipe

12 servings
15 min

Are you looking for an incredibly easy recipe for your new favorite summer coleslaw? Look no further! This simple cabbage slaw recipe uses green apples, green cabbage, and a delightful sweet and creamy dressing. Use this green apple cabbage summer coleslaw recipe as your new favorite side dish, salad topper, sandwich addition, and summer BBQ sensation. We have been eating it like crazy at our house, and it’s barely even spring yet!


Warning – This is a Mayo-Free Coleslaw!


This is not your classic coleslaw recipe. Not at all. And that’s why it’s SO good! I’m not a fan of the classic creamy cabbage coleslaw that is served everywhere you look. The stuff you get at the deli to go with your BBQ Sandwiches or on top of your hot dogs? No way, that’s not for me. See… I’m not a mayo fan. AT ALL. That’s right, I said it. I don’t like mayonnaise. I’ll go so far as to say I DESPISE mayo. It’s not going on anything I’m eating.


So, when I started thinking spring and summer apple slaw recipes, I thought, why can’t I make one that I’ll like eating too? This crazy easy slaw recipe is the product of all those thoughts! The creamy and tangy pineapple dressing is just amazing in this coleslaw and apple mix!


One more word of warning? This will kick your classic coleslaw’s booty…


One MORE EXTRA word of warning? Leave the potato salad at home – there’s a new perfect side dish in town!

Ingredients:


Coleslaw:


  • 2 large Granny Smith Apples
  • 1/4 head green cabbage
  • 1/2 head napa cabbage
  • Handful fresh parsley


Pineapple Yogurt Coleslaw Dressing:


  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used 5%)
  • 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons pineapple juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt


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Kitchen Equipment Used:


  • Large bowl – Use a glass bowl with a lid like this one and you can store the coleslaw in the mixing bowl for less dishes!
  • Sharp knife – I use my Zwilling Santoku knife for everything in the kitchen. I have had this particular knife for over 10 years and I could not love it more. But you don’t have to have an expensive knife like this. Any big knife that’s sharp will do!
  • Cutting Board – A nice and big one will make the chopping up of this coleslaw a much easier job!
  • Food Processor (Optional)
  • Box Grater (Optional)

Cabbage and Coleslaw Shredding Options:


  • Food Processor – If you prefer grated pieces, the grater attachment to your food processor would be the quickest way to go for sure!
  • Box Grater – If you prefer your coleslaw with much smaller, grated pieces, this is the way to go. With the manual box grater, this will take a little time though.
  • Knife and Cutting Board – My preferred method. I like bigger pieces of apple and cabbage in my coleslaw, so a knife is how I can control the piece size for my apples and cabbage.
Recipe Assembly Instructions:


  1. Chop up cabbage, napa cabbage, parsley, and apples into small pieces. I like to chop the apples into very thin matchstick slices.
  2. Mix all dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl and whisk together.
  3. Pour dressing over apple/cabbage mixture and stir and mix until desired coverage is reached. I tend to go very light on the dressing.
  4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is best made the day before it is needed so everything can mesh together in flavor.
Helpful Tips for your Slaw Recipe:


  • Chop all the ingredients to roughly the same size. That way you don’t have huge chunks of apples or cabbage overpowering your bites.
  • Let it marinade – This slaw recipe is even better the next day. Make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge and all the flavors come together for an even more delicious flavor!
  • Less is more – For me, less dressing is better. Coleslaw dressing can be overwhelming, so add a little at a time. This recipe takes less than you think since the dressing is so sweet and creamy.
  • Timesaving Option – Short on time? Use a bagged coleslaw mix and simply cut up and add 2 green Granny Smith apples.


WW People! (Weight Watchers):


Make a quick switch and use 0% fat free plain yogurt, and no matter which plan you are on with WW (blue, green, purple), this recipe is 1 point per 2 CUPS of this coleslaw!!! AMAZING!!! That’s right, this is a healthy coleslaw recipe!


Optional Coleslaw Add-Ins:


Want to jazz up your apple coleslaw recipe? Feel free to toss in some additional ingredients!! All of these would be amazing in this slaw:


  • Celery
  • Celery seed
  • Almonds
  • Pecans
  • Lime juice
  • Green onions
  • Yellow onions
  • Red onion
  • Black pepper
  • Peanuts
  • Sesame oil
  • Red Bell Pepper
Serving Suggestions:


So, what the heck do you eat this green apple cabbage summer slaw recipe with, anyway?


Toppers:


  • Serve on top of a hot dog, on burgers, sandwiches, and most importantly, on BBQ!
  • You could also use this slaw as a side dish for grilled chicken, steaks, or pork chops too!
  • For added crunch to your lunch salad, add in a few spoonsful of this cabbage slaw and enjoy!
  • I love the apple slaw in a bowl as a snack too!


Need ideas for more summer slaw recipes?


Try one of these next:


  • Light and Easy Summer Slaw from The Spruce Eats
  • Classic Memphis-Style Coleslaw from Barefeet in the Kitchen
  • Creamy Broccoli Slaw from Spend with Pennies
Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQ’s)


Do you need to use green apples?


While it’s not an absolute requirement, green apples are certainly better in this coleslaw mixture! Especially the tart Granny Smith apples. They are tart to compliment the sweet dressing, and they hold up really well over several days in the refrigerator.


Green apples are for sure what I’d recommend! But, having said that, don’t go to the grocery store just for that ingredient. I’m a big fan of using what you have on hand always.


This dressing is really sweet? Can I use a dressing substitute instead of this pineapple dressing?


Of course! If this dressing isn’t for you, try another creamy coleslaw dressing that you love! It’s totally fine to make it your own! I like the sweet and creamy dressing on this because the cabbage and apples are so tart and sharp, it just makes a really nice contrast together.


Want more crunch in your slaw?


Add in some onions, celery or nuts! All of those would taste amazing!


I don’t like coleslaw that’s drowning in dressing. How do I avoid that?


Me EITHER! I’m with you! To avoid over-dressing the coleslaw mix, I add a little bit of dressing at a time. I’m talking a few tablespoons to start and then I go from there. And a little goes a surprisingly long way and coats the coleslaw really well!


Keep the rest of the dressing in the fridge in a glass container for 4-6 days and add it to salads, meats, or simply use it to dip fruit in! So, so good!


Will the apples turn brown in coleslaw?


It depends on what kind of apples you use. They might. But if they do, they will still taste amazing! If you coat them in a little lemon juice they will last much longer without browning.


I use Granny Smith green apples and I’ve never had a problem with them browning, even after several days.


What type of cabbage is best for coleslaw?


Truly, the sky is the limit here. I like green cabbage and napa cabbage the best for my coleslaw recipes. However, red and purple cabbage would be amazing too! There is no red cabbage called for in this recipe, but if that’s what you have on hand – it would be amazing in this!


How do you shred your cabbage for coleslaw?


It depends! I like my slaw to be on the chunkier side and not all shredded into tiny pieces. So, I chop all of my ingredients with my kitchen knife on the cutting board.


If you like the shredded variety of coleslaw better, you could use a tall box grater to shred the ingredients. My food processor and kitchen aid mixer both have grater attachments that will make the prep for this recipe an absolute snap!


I don’t have Apple Cider Vinegar on hand. What can I substitute for the apple cider vinegar?


No worries, it is complete fine to use whatever vinegar you have! Do you have some white vinegar? Champagne vinegar? Red or white wine vinegar would be amazing too!


Want a slaw recipe without vinegar at all? Or simply don’t have any vinegar on hand at all?


Still no worries! You can totally use some lemon juice or lime juice to give the dressing that little zing of acid it needs. Dijon mustard is also a delicious addition to the dressing in place of the vinegar or lemon/lime juice!


How long will this green apple coleslaw keep in the refrigerator?


This recipe is delicious and crisp for 4-5 days. I’ve never had any last longer than that at our house, so I couldn’t tell you how much farther it will go. I wouldn’t eat it past the 6-day mark though, just for safety.


Are you serious? Do you put this on a BBQ sandwich?


I’m telling you – just try it. It’ll change your average BBQ sandwich into this amazingly crisp and delicious combination of flavors! I also am a big fan of putting this slaw on a smoked turkey sandwich too!

Wrap Up – Green Apple Cabbage Summer Coleslaw Recipe


Thanks for sticking with me this long while I raved about apples and cabbage. I get so excited about recipes that I think people will really enjoy. And I get even more excited about a simple recipe. This is also a delightfully easy recipe with such simple ingredients. And it’s super quick to make to top it all! Truly, you can’t miss with that winning combination. I hope you make this recipe and love it. Send pictures if you do! And remember, above all else, just keep shuffling!


Related Posts:


  • Easy Tips for Creating the Perfect Pantry
  • Lemon Pound Cake
  • Simple Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup


Want to remember this? Save this recipe for “Green Apple Cabbage Summer Coleslaw Recipe” to your favorite Pinterest Board!
Green Apple Cabbage Summer Coleslaw Recipe
Recipe details
  • 12  servings
  • Prep time: 15 Minutes Cook time: 0 Minutes Total time: 15 min
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Ingredients

  • Coleslaw:
  • 2 large Granny Smith Apples
  • 1/4 head green cabbage
  • 1/2 head napa cabbage
  • Handful fresh parsley
  • Pineapple Yogurt Coleslaw Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used 5%)
  • 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons pineapple juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions

1. Chop up cabbage, napa cabbage, parsley, and apples into small pieces. I like to chop the apples into very thin matchstick slices.
2. Mix all dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl and whisk together.
3. Pour dressing over apple/cabbage mixture and stir and mix until desired coverage is reached. I tend to go very light on the dressing.
4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is best made the day before it is needed so everything can mesh together in flavor.
Tips
  • Chop all the ingredients to roughly the same size. That way you don’t have huge chunks of apples or cabbage overpowering your bites.
  • Let it marinade – This slaw recipe is even better the next day. Make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge and all the flavors come together for an even more delicious flavor!
  • Less is more – For me, less dressing is better. Coleslaw dressing can be overwhelming, so add a little at a time. This recipe takes less than you think since the dressing is so sweet and creamy.
  • Timesaving Option - Short on time? Use a bagged coleslaw mix and simply cut up and add 2 green Granny Smith apples.
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