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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Fabuuuuulous!!! Made it for Christmas…then proceeded to loooose it. Thank goodness I had time to check my saved recipes on line today because Easter is a week away!!!
Loved this, very tasty. But does anyone have bowl big enough for this whole recipe? Made two one half batches. Will make this again and again, just need a bigger bowl LOL
Awesome and thanks for the terrific rating! You’ve made my day.
~Donya
This makes a great side dish! Love the flavors!
Thanks, Cindy! I appreciate the outstanding rating as well.
~Donya
I made this recipe and it was delicious!!!! I tried it out on my sons family and my mom and dad.They loved it as well. They requested it for Thanksgiving
Thanks so much for sharing!
~Donya
My husband hates coleslaw. I made this salad for a lunch with friends and he tried it and loved it. Am making it again today because guess what? HE ASKED ME TO.
Hey there Jenni!
Wow! What a wonderful compliment, I am so happy to hear that this recipe made your husband a coleslaw fan, that warms my heart to hear! Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support! Please let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’m always happy to help where I can! Have a Happy Holiday Season!
~Donya
Incredible!
Hey there Christie!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, it’s definitely a Thanksgiving classic for good reason!
~Donya
This is the best cole slaw ever. I will probably never make regular Cole slaw again. And I usually make Cole slaw once or twice a year. I’ve already made this twice and am making it again for a get together Sunday and again for a get together next week. Seriously….. so good. Thank u.
Hey there Sandy!
Oh my goodness, you’ve made my day! I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you’ve been enjoying this recipe, this is one of my favorite coleslaw recipes too, you can never go wrong with the cranberry-pecan duo. Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate your support!
~Donya
Hi!! This sounds delicious!!
Any suggestions on what to substitute for the apple? I’m allergic to most tree fruits like apples, pear, apricots etc.
Thank you!!
Hey there Kristen!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, that is a great question! There are a couple different options for substituting the apples in this recipe, you could either leave them out all together, or you could replace them with something like fresh cranberries or tangerine slices. I hope this is helpful, let me know how everything turns out if you give the recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think!
~Donya
I’ve made this coleslaw twice now. It’s amazing! My BIL devoured it the first time I made it. The second time I made it I accompanied it with fish tacos! Again, it was amazing! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hey there Susie!
Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying this recipe! Pairing this slaw with fish tacos was a great idea, I’ve never done that but it sounds totally delicious. If you liked this slaw recipe, you should check out my Brussels Sprouts Slaw recipe, it’s just as easy to make and it has some fantastic bright, fresh flavors. Thank you so much for your support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe please don’t hesitate to reach out!
~Donya
This looks like a fun spin on coleslaw.
Hey there Mary!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, it’s a great twist on a classic coleslaw! I really hope you’ll give the recipe a try, let me know how it turns out!
~Donya