Purple Cabbage Coleslaw (with Apples & Cinnamon)

This Purple Cabbage Coleslaw with Apples and Cinnamon is by far the most deliciously crunchy and sweet coleslaw you will ever eat!   The pickiest of eaters will devour this slaw that is loaded with crunchy pink lady apples, raisins, carrots and the best cinnamon dressing ever.  It should almost be called a dessert.  No one will ever believe it is dairy free and refined sugar free too.  I dare you not have seconds or thirds! If you love slaw you have try this recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Make it a day ahead: This coleslaw is even better the second day so go ahead and make it ahead of time so no fussing on the day you want to serve it.

Minimal ingredients: This coleslaw has 4 main ingredients and 2 dressing ingredients plus a few spices. Easy peasy!

Ingredients You Will Need

Red cabbage: Whether you call it red or purple this cabbage has a high concentration of antioxidants which are proven to reduce oxidative stress. It can also be swerved raw or cooked. It is just so pretty and a favorite of mine for all sorts of salads.

Carrot: Fresh carrots add a satisfying crunch and a touch of natural sweetness to the salad with a vibrant color.

Pink lady apple: This is my favorite apple! I love the sweet-tart crisp bite it has that adds a refreshing burst of flavor to this salad. It is also my apple of choice as it is slow to oxidize (turn brown) making it the perfect choice for this make ahead salad.

Raisins: Raisins are dried grapes. The drying process concentrates both the nutrients and sugars in the grape making them nutrient dense and they add a delicious sweetness to this coleslaw.

Avocado mayonnaise: This mayo is made from avocado oil, unlike many common mayos crafted with other oils and offers a unique creamy texture and a healthier fat profile.

Apple cinnamon fruit spread: Using unsweetened apple cinnamon fruit spread provides a fruit-forward flavor without excessive sweetness.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon powder is much finer than ground cinnamon and easier to mix into recipes whereas ground cinnamon has a coarser texture and can add a bit of crunch to dishes.

Salt and pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while ground black pepper adds a gentle heat, improving the overall flavor of a dish.

Instructions

In a small bowl: Add mayonnaise, apple cinnamon spread, cinnamon, salt and pepper and whisk well. Set aside.

In a large bowl: Add cabbage, apples, carrots and raisins tossing to combine.

Pour dressing in: Add dressing to coleslaw and toss well.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Make this coleslaw a day ahead: This helps the cabbage soften and the flavors of the dressing really meld together with the slaw ingredients.

Buy carrot sticks: You can buy carrot sticks saving you even more time in the preparation of this slaw.

Recipe Variations

Add green cabbage: You could use a mix of green and purple cabbage or even broccoli slaw for this recipe.

Dried cranberries: Want to add a bit of tang to the sweetness of this slaw? Swap unsweetened cranberries for the raisins.

Storage Tips

Purple cabbage coleslaw with apples and cinnamon can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container.

FAQs About Purple Cabbage Coleslaw with Apple & Raisins

How do you keep the red cabbage from bleeding in coleslaw?

While this slaw never lasts long enough to have this happen, you could toss the cabbage with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar before combining with the remaining ingredients.

Why does my homemade coleslaw get watery?

Cabbage contains a lot of water. You could salt the cabbage and let it sit for 2 hours, rinse with cold water and spin in a salad spinner to prevent this. The good news is the dressing on this slaw is thick and creamy and helps keeping the slaw from getting too watery.

Does red cabbage need to be washed?

I always wash my vegetables. I remove the outer leaves and discard, cut the cabbage in half and rinse under cold water. Allow to drain on paper towels or dry cloth.