Take your coleslaw to a whole new level with sweet, tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans. Mix in an apple and some savory, green onions then toss them all in a creamy dressing for a dish that will be a favorite at any gathering!
For years I’ve loved this crunchy slaw. I’ve eaten it at church gatherings, covered dish suppers, picnics, and cookouts. I’ve also seen it on many restaurant menus. I think the reason it’s shown up in so many places for so many years is because it’s just so stinking good! It’s fruity, sweet, tart and crunchy. It’s one dish that has just the right amount of each of those important elements for a burst of flavor in every bite.
Now, I have to share a little “funny” with you. As much as I love and rave about this slaw, I’ve never made it. I think somehow or another, the whole notion of making for myself just escaped me. So, over the weekend, I decided to change all of that and come up with my own version. I thought a bit about the different versions of the recipe I’d had over the years and came up with a shortlist of my favorite ingredients.
To a “bagged” slaw mix, I added dried cranberries, an apple, chopped pecans, and green onions. Now, how easy was that? Next, all that was needed was to make a creamy dressing with just the right mix of flavors. My inspiration for the dressing came from my Broccoli Apple Salad recipe. I mixed up sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, and honey then sprinkled in some salt and pepper. I poured that heavenly dressing over my slaw mixture gave it a good toss then went in for a taste test.
Yep…that was it, all of those magical flavors blended together beautifully to make one special bite. This was a lesson learned. When you like something, even if it’s a yummy slaw recipe, give it a go and make it yourself in your own special way! Go for it…you’ve got this.
Ingredients
- 2 11 oz bagged cole slaw mix
- 1 large Gala or Honeycrisp apple - chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pecan
- 4 green onions - sliced
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup sour cream (yogurt can be substituted)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add slaw mix, apple, cranberries, pecans and onions to a large bowl. Toss to mix all ingredients. Set aside
- In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Whisk together until smooth. Pour 3/4 of dressing over slaw and toss until mixed well. Add remaining dressing if desired. **Additional dressing can be saved in a sealed container to add to slaw at a later time or before serving.
- Serve immediately. Slaw can be stored, covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Toss slightly and add saved dressing if needed.
Items You Might Need For This Recipe
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Wow, this recipe and the pictures of this slaw actually make me want to go to the grocery first thing in the morning. Thank you for coming up with this recipe, you just made my life easier with the holidays rushing at me and a huge family that gets together for all of them. Actually, we get together for any reason….um, ground hog day, do-nut day(don’t ask, just roll with it), any little thing brings us together. thank goodness. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Pam
Pam you have made my day! Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope y’all enjoy the cranberry slaw. Merry Christmas to you and everyone in your family!
XO,
~Donya
PS – send me pics when you make your slaw!
Made this today….It is wonderful!!. We all love it. My grand daughter said “this is yummy”
Thank you so much for sharing, June! You’ve made my day and I’m tickled your grand daughter like it.
Have a wonderful 2019!
CO,
~Donya
I too was inspired by the pictures. I used avocado oil mayo (Chosen Foods) and plain unsweetened non-dairy yogurt (Kite Hill) and you’d never know I’d substituted anything. It was delicious. Will become my go-to salad to have with BBQ! Thanks for posting.
Do you need to put anything on the chopped apple to keep the pieces from turning brown? Can’t wait to try this salad!
Hey Amy. You don’t need to do a thing to the apples. Just make the salad per the recipe. I hope you love it! Please let me know.
Have a great day,
XO ~ Donya
As it happens, I was testing coleslaw recipes when I happened upon yours without searching. I had all the ingredients, so I made it for dinner. I have also begun making my menu for Thanksgiving and this slaw is now on the menu. Thanks so much for sharing.
Love how easy this is to make! Such a delicious side!
Looks like a new favorite side dish in my house!
This cranberry pecan slaw is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST recipe I’ve ever made. Just flat out incredible. I make it at least once/week and hubby and I eat and eat and eat on it till we are just as fat as ticks. Every person I’ve let have a bite of it goes straight and buys the ingredients and makes it themselves. And. They rant and rave over it like I do! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi , can I make this a few hours ahead including dressing it and just stir and add pecans when serving ?
Pat, you sure can. The slaw actually gets better if it sits in the dressing for a bit.
Enjoy!
~Donya
I make a big batch of it and we eat it for three days with no problems with the pecans being mushy. The is the absolute BEST slaw you will EVER EVER eat! I make it about every week it is so good.
Linda, this made my day! I am so glad you like the recipe. I’m doing a happy dance right now!!
XO,
~Donya
Thank you , I made this and such a hit. We ate the leftovers for two days and it really did get better. I candied the pecans with maple syrup, very yummy.
I will definitely be making this a lot this summer
Sounds like a great sweet twist on the recipe. I am so glad you liked it, Pat! Thank you so much for sharing.
XO,
~Donya
What would be a good substitute for the apple or should I just leave it out. (I’m allergic). I thought about adding chopped carrot…
Carrots would be great Mary Ellen. I know you’ll love this salad. Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great day,
~Donya
Maybe pears.
Made this salad today using walnuts in place of pecans and adding some poppy seeds. It turned put FANTASTIC! It will have a showplace spot on our Thanksgiving table. Thank you!!!
This cole slaw is delish !, I already make a tasty slaw , but adding the cranberries , pecans and apple … , really bumped it up a notch
Thanks for this easy recipe ! Can’t wait to serve it to guests or take to pot lucks !
Made this for a family gathering and one guest stated it was the “best he ever ate in his whole life!!” What a compliment!
This was a big hit at our church pot luck. I am planning to make this a lot this summer 2020.
This really is as good as I would have hoped for. I did substitute broccoli slaw for the cole slaw and it was a great hit with our guests. Didn’t deviate from the recipe other than that. I will definitely make this again for gatherings and dinner.