Bright Apple, Pear & Cranberry Winter Slaw
Bright Apple, Pear & Cranberry Winter Slaw is a crisp, colourful salad that brings together fresh green and red cabbage, sweet apple, firm pear, dried cranberries, carrots, green onions, toasted pecans, and fresh parsley. The combination creates a lovely balance of crunchy, sweet, tangy, and creamy flavours in every bite.
The creamy honey apple cider dressing brings everything together with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. It is an easy side dish for winter meals, holiday gatherings, family dinners, or whenever you want something fresh and colourful alongside the main course.
Ingredients
For the Slaw:
- 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded (350 g)
- 2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded (175 g)
- 1 large crisp apple, thinly sliced or julienned (180 g)
- 1 large firm pear, thinly sliced or julienned (180 g)
- ½ cup dried cranberries (60 g)
- ½ cup carrots, shredded (60 g)
- ⅓ cup green onions, thinly sliced (35 g)
- ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped (55 g)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (15 g)
For the Honey Apple Cider Dressing:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise (80 g)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (60 g)
- 2 tbsp honey (42 g)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (5 g)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (1.5 g)
- ¼ tsp salt (1.5 g)
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper (0.5 g)
How to Make It
1. Prepare the Slaw
Add the finely shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, sliced apple, sliced pear, dried cranberries, green onions, toasted pecans, and chopped parsley to a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly without bruising the fruit.
2. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
3. Combine the Slaw and Dressing
Pour the dressing over the cabbage, fruit, and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until the cabbage, apples, pears, cranberries, pecans, and carrots are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
4. Chill the Slaw
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the slaw for 15–20 minutes. This short resting time allows the flavours to blend while keeping the cabbage pleasantly crisp.
5. Finish and Serve
Give the slaw a gentle toss just before serving. Sprinkle a few extra toasted pecans or dried cranberries over the top if desired, then serve immediately.
Why This Recipe Works
This winter slaw works because it combines several contrasting textures and flavours in one bowl. Crisp cabbage and carrots provide a fresh crunch, while apples and pears add natural sweetness and juiciness. Dried cranberries bring a pleasant chewy texture and a fruity tang, while toasted pecans add richness and crunch.
The honey apple cider dressing balances the salad beautifully. Creamy mayonnaise and Greek yogurt provide a smooth base, while apple cider vinegar and lemon juice add brightness. Honey adds gentle sweetness, and Dijon mustard gives the dressing a subtle savoury depth that complements both the fruit and vegetables.
Tips for the Best Apple, Pear & Cranberry Winter Slaw
- Keep the cabbage crisp: Finely shred the cabbage and avoid adding the dressing too far in advance if you want maximum crunch.
- Choose firm fruit: Use a crisp apple and firm pear that can hold their shape when sliced and tossed.
- Toast the pecans: Toasted pecans add more flavour and a satisfying crunch compared with raw nuts.
- Slice evenly: Thinly sliced or julienned apples and pears distribute their flavour throughout the slaw.
- Rest before serving: Chilling for 15–20 minutes gives the flavours time to blend without making the cabbage overly soft.
- Finish with toppings: A few extra pecans and cranberries on top make the finished slaw look colourful and inviting.
Serving Suggestions
This colourful slaw makes a refreshing side dish for roasted vegetables, grilled meats, sandwiches, wraps, or family-style dinners. Its combination of crisp cabbage, sweet fruit, cranberries, and creamy dressing also makes it a natural addition to a festive winter or holiday table.
For the best texture, serve the slaw chilled but not overly softened. A final sprinkle of toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and fresh parsley adds extra colour and crunch just before bringing it to the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this slaw ahead of time?
Yes. The vegetables, fruit, and dressing can be prepared ahead of time. For the crispest texture, keep the dressing separate and toss it with the slaw closer to serving time.
What type of apple works best?
A crisp apple with a balanced sweet-tart flavour works especially well. Choose an apple that holds its shape when thinly sliced rather than becoming soft quickly.
Can I use a different nut instead of pecans?
Yes. Walnuts or another favourite crunchy nut can be used in place of pecans. Toasting the nuts first will add extra flavour and texture.
Can I substitute the Greek yogurt?
Plain Greek yogurt provides creaminess and a little tang. If needed, another plain thick yoghurt can be used, although the texture and flavour may vary slightly.
How long should the slaw chill before serving?
A resting time of 15–20 minutes is enough to let the flavours blend while keeping the cabbage and other vegetables crisp.
Can I add extra cranberries or pecans?
Yes. Extra cranberries and toasted pecans make an easy finishing garnish and add more colour, sweetness, and crunch.
Nutrition & Timing
| Details | Amount |
|---|---|
| Servings | 6 |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Chill Time | 15–20 minutes |
| Total Time | 30–35 minutes |
| Calories | 245 |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 240 mg |
Final Thoughts
Bright Apple, Pear & Cranberry Winter Slaw is an easy way to bring fresh colour, crunch, and seasonal flavour to the table. The combination of crisp cabbage, juicy apple and pear, tart cranberries, toasted pecans, and creamy honey apple cider dressing makes every bite interesting.
With minimal preparation and just a short chill time, this slaw is simple enough for everyday meals while still looking special enough for festive gatherings. Serve it chilled with a little extra pecan and cranberry garnish for a fresh and colourful finish.ple enough for everyday meals while still looking special enough for festive gatherings. Serve it chilled with a little extra pecan and cranberry garnish for a fresh and colourful finish.
Print
Bright Apple, Pear & Cranberry Winter Slaw
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Description
A crisp, colourful winter slaw made with green and red cabbage, sweet apple, firm pear, dried cranberries, carrots, green onions, toasted pecans, and fresh parsley, all tossed in a creamy honey apple cider dressing.
Ingredients
For the Slaw
4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded (350 g)
2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded (175 g)
1 large crisp apple, thinly sliced or julienned (180 g)
1 large firm pear, thinly sliced or julienned (180 g)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (60 g)
1/2 cup carrots, shredded (60 g)
1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced (35 g)
1/2 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped (55 g)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (15 g)
For the Honey Apple Cider Dressing
1/3 cup mayonnaise (80 g)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (60 g)
2 tbsp honey (42 g)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (5 g)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (1.5 g)
1/4 tsp salt (1.5 g)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (0.5 g)
Instructions
1. Add the finely shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, sliced apple, sliced pear, dried cranberries, green onions, toasted pecans, and chopped parsley to a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly without bruising the fruit.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage, fruit, and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until the cabbage, apples, pears, cranberries, pecans, and carrots are evenly coated.
4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the slaw for 15–20 minutes. This allows the flavours to blend while keeping the cabbage pleasantly crisp.
5. Give the slaw a gentle toss just before serving. Sprinkle with extra toasted pecans or dried cranberries if desired, then serve chilled.
Notes
Finely shred the cabbage and avoid adding the dressing too far in advance for maximum crunch. Use a crisp apple and firm pear that can hold their shape when sliced and tossed. Toast the pecans before adding them for extra flavour and a satisfying crunch. Thinly sliced or julienned apples and pears distribute their flavour throughout the slaw. Chilling for 15–20 minutes gives the flavours time to blend without making the cabbage overly soft. Extra toasted pecans and dried cranberries make a colourful finishing garnish. The vegetables, fruit, and dressing can be prepared ahead of time. For the crispest texture, keep the dressing separate and toss it with the slaw closer to serving. Walnuts or another favourite crunchy nut can be used instead of pecans. Plain thick yoghurt can be used instead of Greek yogurt, although the texture and flavour may vary slightly. Serve chilled with extra pecans, cranberries, and fresh parsley for a fresh and colourful finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
