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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This looks amazing! Just sent the link to my mother ❤️
Hey there Christy!
Thank you so much for this phenomenal rating, and for sharing my recipe, I really appreciate your support! If you or your mother have any questions please feel free to reach out! I hope you enjoy this recipe, Happy Holidays!
Best,
~Donya
Thanks Donya. Canadian Thanksgiving has passed, but I’m thinking this would be great for Christmas – quick and easy to put together. I will be making this and your ambrosia – but only if I can find little white marshmallows. The only way to eat the coloured ones is in peanut butter slice – where the peanut butter hides their flavour. LOL
Thanks for the work you do , to provide easy, tasty recipes. My favourite recipe site! I hate scrambling for exotic ingredients!
Hey there Donna!
Wow! Thank you so much for this fantastic rating and your sweet words, you’re too kind! I think that these dishes would be fantastic additions to a Christmas dinner, if you liked these you should try my Scalloped Potato recipe, the creamy, rich potatoes compliment the Cranberry Pecan Slaw very well. Thank you for all your support, it truly warms my heart reading comments like this, I appreciate your kindness. If you ever have any questions about a recipe don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya
I made this but did not have the apple so I did add one of the smallest cans of drained pineapple tidbits, and 1/2 tsp. of poppy seed. It turned out wonderful! Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe!
Hey Kathie!
Thank you so much for your rating! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, it sounds like you really made this recipe your own in the best way. Thank you for your support!
~Donya
I am going to be honest I was prepared to not like this.. but all these tastes in my mouth together won me over.. super yummy.. Makes alot too.
Hey DeeDee!
My goodness this cracked me up, I am thrilled to hear you liked it! It is definitely an interesting flavor combination but there is just something about it that really works. Thank you so much for your rating, very glad to hear the recipe was a hit!
~Donya
Where can I find the nutritional info on the slaw?
Hey Rita,
Thank you for your interest in the recipe, it sure is a favorite in my house so I hope you like it! I don’t provide nutritional information for my recipes but if you click the link below, you can just copy and paste the recipe and it will give you all the nutritional facts. I hope this helps!
https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
~Donya
Wow! This was so good! My neighbor brought over a huge head of cabbage from their garden so I decided to give this recipe a try and I’m so glad I did! I will definitely be making this again! And yes, I shared with my neighbors.
Haven’t made the recipe yet – but from the reviews, and recipe ingredients, it seems like an awesome addition to my GF Thanksgiving menu this year. 🙂
You are so kind, Jyll! Thank you and I hope you like the recipe. Let me know.
Have a wonderful day,
~Donya
Donya, I can’t wait to try this recipe. It may make it to my Thanksgiving table this year! I found you via Pinterest, btw. I would like to make a suggestion. At the end of your recipes, it would be nice if you would put your blog name/address there so that when folks copy the recipe to their own file (that’s me!), they will always know the source of the recipe. I’m going to explore your blog now – looks very interesting!
Thanks for the idea! When a recipe is printed out, it has the website name on it but I’ll see what I can do about someone saving it.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
~Dpnya
Best Coleslaw Recipe ever!!
WOW! Thank you Nancy. You have made my day.
Have a wonderful weekend,
~Donya
We have made this three times in the last week since I found this recipe! It’s amazing! Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome, Amanda.
Thank you for your kind words.
Have a great weekend.
~Donya