Apples bring a tart sweetness that is set a-dazzle by the apple cider vinegar, honey, and mayonnaise dressing that combine to make this Apple Slaw absolutely heavenly.
Coleslaw is a welcome treat for virtually any meal. Whether it’s barbecue food or a chicken pot pie, a bite of coleslaw with a meal seems to add a welcome crunch to many plain dishes that need a little cool and savory sweetness to make them complete.
I like to serve a sweet coleslaw like apple slaw with something that really contrasts and complements it — and that’s basically every food I can think of — because the sweet and acidic flavors bring that big sigh of relief whenever you take your first bite.
And I’m pressed to imagine a situation where crunchiness is not welcome against, say, the soft, savory heaven of your first bite of a hot dog or a hamburger charred on the grill and topped with sharp onions. I could go on and on about chicken and biscuits, chicken and dumplings, steak and baked potato, but do you see what I’m saying?
Because except for salad, there’s often not much crunch at the table. So, knowing a variety of coleslaw variations comes in so handy. Everyone loves it, and you get that oh-so-welcoming crispy texture you need at virtually every meal that only salad, a bite of corn on the cob, or slaw can provide.
Why You and Your Family Will Love Apple Slaw
You never know that a dish is missing something until you try adding something a bit new and fresh to an old tried-and-true recipe. As Chef Kimberly Jones used to say, “You’ve got to play with your food, Rhonda.”
Apples bring a host of flavors and textures to this coleslaw, which is so welcoming and delicious that you’ll want to have it with everything from a battered fish sandwich to a hot dog with mustard on it. Fried chicken would taste lovely against its sweet and crunchy texture, as would pulled pork, sticky, saucy barbecued ribs, or a simple ham and cheese sandwich, where this slaw could act as both topper and side.
I chose the pulled pork option this weekend when I got to cook for Sherry’s family, complete with my beautiful new friend Brooke, her husband Jeremiah, and their beautiful little tow-headed cutie of an angel daughter, Ellie. Ellie loved this slaw with a special meal I made her, complete with snacks all day like these Honey Cookies and some Mermaid Dip — because Ms. Ellie is certainly a mermaid. She can swim with the best of the fishes, including her favorite new plastic toy, “Bloop Bloop,” which keeps sinking because he has a hole in his tummy where something used to go. But it’s more fun to keep him this way and fish him out with pool skimmers.
How to Make Ahead and Store
You’ve heard of freezer slaw, right? Well, freezer slaw recipes omit the mayonnaise and use a vinegar base. Mayonnaise-based coleslaws cannot be frozen, which is a huge consensus among chefs and people who love to freeze foods. However, because of all the vinegar in this coleslaw, it will keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Serving Suggestions
If you like this slaw, you’ll try serving it with these fun Pulled Pork Shooters that contain cheese grits and coleslaw. They are simply amazing and the apple would contrast nicely against that pulled pork. And try this amazing Mexican Coleslaw with Cilantro Lime Dressing, too!
This weekend, I served this apple slaw with Slow Cooker Beer BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, some Potato Salad with Dill Relish, and Grilled Peach Ice Cream, which Jeremiah pulled off splendidly!
Apple Slaw Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 large apples julienned
- 1 cup shredded carrots
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, julienned apples, and shredded carrots.
- Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well to coat evenly.
- Allow the slaw to sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Leave a Comment