Noshing With the Nolands » Salads
By Tara Noland on July 25, 2023 | Updated October 9, 2025
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Here is a perfect Apple Cranberry Coleslaw that can take you from summer right into fall and even the holidays!! The salad is loaded with fresh apples, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and coleslaw with a tangy dressing of both yogurt and mayonnaise. Perfectly scrumptious for any time, really!!
If you love coleslaw, then try our Pineapple Walnut Raisin Coleslaw too. Or if you need a potato salad, this recipe for Nan’s Mashed Potato Salad is the best. Plus another great fall salad is this Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad , enjoy!!
What is the Difference Between Coleslaw and Slaw?
Coleslaw recipes are typically seen with cabbage that has been sliced very thinly. The term slaw can refer to other vegetables that are used to make this type of shredded salad.
Helpful Items For This Recipe
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11Pcs Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Durable Kitchen Cutting Board Set of 3, BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe
Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Set of 4
What is in Apple Cranberry Coleslaw?
This sweet and tangy salad has a great combination of flavors. It makes a perfect side dish for summer or at any time of the year. It is easy to make and requires hardly any time to put together. Make it ahead and have it ready to bring to any function also. It is nice because it is just one bowl and so easily portable.
Ingredients
Package of Coleslaw Mix – You can also use shredded cabbage for this salad along with grated carrots if you don’t want to buy the packaged coleslaw or want to make a larger amount.
Gala Apples, cut into thin slices – Any type of apple can be used to make this apple coleslaw but pick one that is nice and crisp and fresh.
Dried Cranberries – These little powerhouses of nutrients are easy to locate and add so much to the salad in the way of sweetness and flavor.
Sunflower Seeds – These small gems add not only a nutty flavor but a little crunch too. You can substitute many other nuts for the sunflower seeds, also.
Green Onions, thinly diced (green part only) – These always add color and flavor to a coleslaw.
Dressing Ingredients
Plain Greek Yogurt – This adds the perfect tang, creaminess, and flavor.
Mayonnaise – This is always a necessary ingredient when making this type of salad.
Granulated Sugar – Where there is sour, you need sweetness for a coleslaw.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Another tangy ingredient to balance it all off.
Salt to taste – You can use table salt or Kosher for this recipe.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste – Freshly ground is always the best.
How to Make Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
This makes a nice-sized salad that serves 8. You can easily double it to feed a crowd.
How do you make Coleslaw that Doesn’t get Watery?
The key here is the salt. Adding salt will make the vegetables lose their liquid. You can toss the salt in a colander with the cabbage and let it sit for a bit to get some of the moisture out. Dry it and continue on. Also, don’t make your coleslaw too far in advance of serving.
Recipe Pro Tips!
You can use any variation of coleslaw mix for this recipe. I used one that only had green cabbage and carrots in it. It is also very good with purple cabbage and/or the pre-made broccoli coleslaw mix. (Which usually contains broccoli, green cabbage, carrots, and purple cabbage).
You can substitute sunflower seeds for any type of nuts. Sliced almonds or pecans are my favorite substitute. Or we have added pepitas which I love too.
Be sure to use plain Greek yogurt. Regular plain yogurt isn’t as thick and will change the consistency of the sauce.
Greek yogurt can be substituted with sour cream.
You can serve this immediately after mixing, but I prefer to let it chill for 30 minutes to an hour to let the flavors combine.
This recipe goes great with or on pulled pork sandwiches.
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
WANT MORE GREAT SALADS THAT WILL TAKE YOU FROM SUMMER TO FALL?
All of these salads will help you creep slowly into fall while still enjoying all the great bounties that summer has for us.
- Sweet Kale Salad
- Fall Harvest Salad
- Copycat Wendy’s Apple Chicken Salad
- Wheat Berry Salad with Cranberries, Pecans and Goat Cheese
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PrintApple Cranberry Coleslaw
This Apple Cranberry Coleslaw is a perfect transitioning salad that goes easily from summer to fall. It makes a perfect side dish for BBQ!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 8, 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 14oz Package Coleslaw Mix
- 2–3 Gala Apples (cut into thin slices)
- ½ Cup Dried Cranberries
- ¼ Cup Sunflower Seeds
- Small bunch of Green Onions (thinly diced (green part only))
- ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the ingredients in a large bowl by combining the coleslaw mix, apples, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and green onion. Stir to combine.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour dressing mixture over coleslaw and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill for 30 minutes, then serve cold.
Nutrition
- Calories: 239 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 437 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
Keywords: apple coleslaw, apple cranberry coleslaw, coleslaw, fall, salad, side dish, slaw, summer
