This red cabbage slaw is easy, crunchy and comforting just like a regular slaw, but with the added apples and candied walnuts you get that irresistible sweet, sour, and nutty crunch that your taste buds love so much.
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What to expect
A slaw - also known as coleslaw or cole slaw - is a side dish generally made with thinly shredded raw cabbage commonly dressed with vinaigrette or mayonnaise.
With this recipe I wanted to create a slaw that is a little different from your typical slaw.
I wanted the people at my table to be like - wait a minute - is that? Yes. Red cabbage slaw, with candied walnuts and apple. And it's delicious!
This red cabbage slaw is perfect for any special occasion - halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas or even new years eve.
The base of this red cabbage slaw is as simple as it gets: thinly shredded raw red cabbage, shredded carrot and thinly sliced apple.
For dressing, I use apple cider vinegar, olive oil and salt.
Just before serving, I add some homemade candied walnuts (you can add store bought candied walnuts if you prefer) that I make in literally 5 minutes with sugar and walnuts.
Here's our blog post on how to make candied walnuts at home, but I also added all the steps below.
The candied walnuts add not only a nice extra crunch to the slaw, but also a sweet, nutty, and slightly toasted flavour that pairs perfectly with the acidity and tartness of the vinegar and green apples.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Red cabbage: red or purple is my favourite type of cabbage as its packed with an incredible amount of antioxidants. You can also use regular white cabbage, although the slaw will look prettier with the red cabbage.
- Carrots: to add crunch, sweetness and colour.
- Apples: I prefer to use green apples such as Granny Smith in this red cabbage slaw, as they are less sweet, more tart and acidic and are great with the sweet candied walnuts. Golden delicious are also ok (they are the ones I use in the picture here).
- Walnuts + sugar: to make candied walnuts. It takes just 5 minute to make them, but if you prefer you can purchase them at the store already made.
- Apple cider vinegar + olive oil + salt: this is my go to seasoning for this slaw.
Instructions
STEP 1: Make candied walnuts
First, put a sheet of parchment paper on a cutting board (or on a tray), and prepare two forks close to you. You'll need them later.
To a pot, add the sugar. Set the heat to medium-low and wait around a minute until the sugar starts to melt. You can add a pinch of salt if you like, to boost flavours even more.
Now set the heat to low, and stir with a spoon, until the sugar is completely melted and of rich brown colour.
Keep the heat on low, and add the walnuts. With a spoon, coat the walnuts in the sugar, turning them around a few times till they are fully covered in it.
If the heat gets too hot and the sugar starts to smoke, turn the heat off.
Transfer the walnuts on the parchment paper, and with the two forks separate the walnuts from one another.
You should work fast here, as the sugar will quickly cool down and turn into a solid. Let cool down while you prep the slaw.
NOTE: I tested many recipes for candied walnuts, and the simplest, fail-proof method to do them is to add a bit more sugar than necessary.
Here I do this on purpose to make it easier for you to make the candied walnuts. But don't worry, a lot of the sugar, more than half of it, won't end up in your salad. It will stay in the pan.
I know it's a bit wasteful, but this is the best way to make sure you make great candied walnuts, without failing, and without throwing everything in the bin.
STEP 2: prep the red cabbage slaw
To a bowl, add the shredded red cabbage. You can either cut it thinly with a knife or you can use a mandoline.
I'll be honest, if your chef's knife skills are a bit rusty, you'll be better off using a mandoline. But either way, what's important is that the red cabbage is cut thinly.
I use only ¼ of a whole red cabbage. It will yeald enough slaw for 4 to 6 people.
Add the shredded carrots. I use a standard vegetable grater and I like to grate the carrot coarsely.
Now add the apple. First, cut the apple into 4 pieces. Then remove core and seeds.
Finally cut the apple into thin slices. Like with the cabbage, you can use a knife or a mandolin.
STEP 3: season the red cabbage slaw
Dress the salad with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt and mix well. I use 2 parts of vinegar for 1 part of olive oil.
In this case 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Just before serving, add the candied walnuts, and toss the salad one more time.
I like to chop the walnuts into smaller pieces and keep only a few bigger pieces to add on top of the individual portions.
Dinner Ideas
This red cabbage slaw with candied walnuts and apples is perfect as a starter or as a side dish. Try it with:
Roasted butternut squash soup | rich, creamy and dairy-free
Easy chocolate brownie cake | it melts in your mouth + vegan
Storage
Store this red cabbage slaw with apples and candied walnuts in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
The only inconvenience is that the walnuts will not be as crunchy as when freshly made.
For many more side dishes ideas, check out our sides category page.
Recipe
Red cabbage slaw + apple and candied walnuts
Equipment
- Knife or mandoline
Ingredients
- ¼ red cabbage
- 2 carrots
- 1½ apples I like to use Granny Smith
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the candied walnuts
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
Make candied walnuts
- First, put a sheet of parchment paper on a cutting board (or on a tray), and prepare two forks close to you. You'll need them later.To a pot, add the sugar. Set the heat to medium-low and wait around a minute until the sugar starts to melt. You can add a pinch of salt if you like, to boost flavours even more.
- Now set the heat to low, and stir with a spoon, until the sugar is completely melted and of rich brown colour.
- Keep the heat on low, and add the walnuts. With a spoon, coat the walnuts in the sugar, turning them around a few times till they are fully covered in it.If the heat gets too hot and the sugar starts to smoke, turn the heat off.
- Transfer the walnuts on the parchment paper, and with the two forks separate the walnuts from one another.You should work quickly here, as the sugar will cool down fast and turn into a solid. Set aside and prep the slaw.
Make the red cabbage slaw
- To a bowl, add the shredded red cabbage. You can either cut it thinly with a knife or you can use a mandolin.
- Add the shredded carrots. I use a standard vegetable grater and I like to grate the carrot coarsely.
- Now add the apples. First, cut the apples into 4 pieces. Then remove core and seeds. Finally cut the apple into thin slices. Like with the cabbage, you can use a knife or a mandolin.
- Dress the salad with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt and mix well.
- Just before serving, add the candied walnuts, and toss the salad one more time. I like to chop the walnuts into smaller pieces and keep only a few bigger pieces to add on top of the individual portions.
Video Recipe
Nutritional Values
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