5-Star Comment
I made this recipe for my bookclub. I asked my husband to try it, and he wanted me to leave it all at home. LOL. Everyone in my book club loved it! I will definitely make this recipe again.
Mehsurf
Why This Dish Always Has a Place at My Table
For years, I’ve loved this crunchy, pretty slaw. I’ve eaten it at church gatherings, covered dish suppers, picnics, and cookouts. One bite and you get it: sweet dried cranberries, crisp apples, and toasted pecans all tossed with creamy dressing that ties everything together just right.
To me, this isn’t just a slaw recipe. It’s the kind of side dish that sparks conversation. Someone always says, “This reminds me of…” and suddenly you’re swapping stories and memories right alongside second helpings. That’s the heart of Southern food — dishes that taste good, but also make people feel connected.
XO,
Donya’s Tips For The Best Cranberry Pecan Slaw
- Chill before serving: Let the slaw rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the flavors can come together.
- Slice apples last: To keep them from browning, cut them just before mixing into the slaw.
- Adjust the sweetness: Add a touch more honey if you like it sweeter, or an extra splash of vinegar for more tang.
Need a fantastic family meal? Serve this slaw with Crock Pot Beef Roast and Roasted Baby Potatoes for a weeknight meal that’s also excellent for entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cole Slaw mix – A quick shortcut that saves time without skimping on crunch.
- Dried cranberries & apples – Bring the sweet-tart balance that makes this dish shine.
- Pecans – Add nuttiness and texture.
- Green onions – A little savory bite to balance the sweetness.
- Creamy dressing – A mix of mayo, sour cream, vinegar, and honey that pulls it all together.
Recipe Variations
- Cranberries Swaps: You can also use pomegranate arils in place of dried cranberries.
- Add Chicken: For a bit of protein, you can toss this slaw with shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken to make it a chicken salad.
- Add a Sprinkle: For an additional layer of taste and texture, sprinkle in some almonds or walnuts.
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Slaw (Quick Highlights)
- Combine the base: Toss slaw mix, apple, cranberries, pecans, and green onions in a large bowl.
- Whisk the dressing: Stir together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Mix it up: Pour most of the dressing over the slaw and toss. Add more if you like it creamier.
- Serve & store: Chill until ready to serve. Save extra dressing to stir in right before serving if needed.
Can This Coleslaw Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, this slaw is excellent to make in advance because it gives the flavors time to marinate. If you’ve stored the slaw for a while, give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
Easy Homemade Cole Slaw Recipes You’ll Love
Ingredients
- 2 11-ounce bagged cole slaw mix
- 1 large chopped Gala or Honeycrisp apple
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 4 sliced green onions
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup sour cream (yogurt can be substituted)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ 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 ¾ 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.
Video
Notes
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Storing Leftovers
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 1–2 days for best flavor and crunch. Toss Before Serving
Give the slaw a quick toss before serving to freshen up the texture and redistribute the dressing.
Nutrition
What To Serve With Homemade Cranberry Pecan Slaw
Like my Orange Cranberry Sauce, this recipe makes a great side dish. It’s extra tasty paired with Crock Pot Chicken Thighs and Marinated Pork Tenderloin. It’s also good with Roast Beef And Cheese Sliders and Air Fryer Sausage And Potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like using crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold up well and balance the sweet cranberries.
Absolutely. Shred green and red cabbage with a little carrot for color and crunch if you prefer fresh over bagged.
If you find the slaw a bit too sweet, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to balance it out.
Yes! With the cranberries, apples, and pecans, it fits right in at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter — just as easily as it does at a summer cookout.
If you tried this Cranberry Pecan Slaw Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
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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
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
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
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.
Looks like a new favorite side dish in my house!
Love how easy this is to make! Such a delicious side!
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.
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.
How much pepper? It’s not listed in the ingredients but in the directions.
Hey there Carolyn!
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, that’s a good question! I generally just salt and pepper this dish to taste, so it comes out to be about 1/4-1/2 of a teaspoon of pepper, but you can use however much you like depending on your preferences. I hope this helps, let me know how it turns out if you end up trying this recipe. Thank you for your support, I hope you have a great day!
~Donya
This looks delicious. I was wondering if you put any thing on the apples to keep them from turning brown if you have leftover. Can’t wait to make this.
Hey there Kay!
That’s a great question! I don’t normally put anything on my slaw to store it, but if you want to sprinkle a little lemon juice over the apples before throwing them into the slaw then that will ensure they don’t brown, plus it’ll give a nice fresh burst of flavor! Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, if you have any other questions please feel free to reach out again. Happy Holidays!
~Donya
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
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!