Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw

4.89 from 9 votes

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By: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale ChipsPublished: July 7, 2020

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Crisp and creamy Apple Slaw is totally picnic-perfect. It is a healthy coleslaw recipe made with a tangy and slightly sweet Greek yogurt maple Dijon dressing. Enjoy this quick and easy side dish any time of the year because when the kids and adults gobble it up, you know it has to be the best cole slaw recipe ever.

Can Coleslaw Be Healthy?

We absolutely love barbecue. My husband has been on a quest to perfect his barbecue brisket technique with his smoker. And I love using my Instant Pot to make pulled pork and ribs. With all those savory meats, I needed to master a coleslaw recipe to pair with them that we could all love.

That’s why I made this Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw! Typically coleslaw can be a bit of a calorie bomb when made with gobs of mayonnaise. But this is a healthy coleslaw recipe without mayo.

What’s the trick? Greek yogurt! When you toss your slaw mix in this lightened-up dressing, you get a healthy veggie side dish perfect for any meal. We think it is the best way to make cole slaw with its combination of sweet and savory flavors. And you don’t sacrifice any of the creaminess.

Now this apple slaw is part of our regular menu, whether we share with friends summer barbecues or potlucks or enjoy on a busy weeknight with crockpot apple cider chicken or grilled cheese and butternut squash soup.

bowl of healthy coleslaw with a spoon next to it

What You’ll Need

It’s tasty and so easy with only seven ingredients, plus salt and pepper. Here’s some information about the ingredients plus an overview of how to make it. Get all the amounts and step-by-step instructions in the reicpe card at the bottom of the post. But keep reading for tips, serving ideas, and more.

Coleslaw Dressing Ingredients

Plain Greek yogurt: nonfat, whole, or anything in between, just not flavored.
Dijon mustard: I almost always use Grey Poupon. It adds a nice tangy zing to the dressing.
Maple syrup: definitely use real maple syrup, not just pancake syrup. It truly adds subtle but flavorful sweetness.
Apple cider vinegar: a basic cider vinegar will do, or you can use a raw apple cider vinegar like Bragg’s.
Salt and pepper

Apple Slaw Ingredients

Coleslaw mix: I switch between the one that is all cabbage and the one that includes red cabbage and carrots. Both are equally tasty. You can also use shredded cabbage, or a mixture of cabbage and finely julienned carrots.
Apples: I typically peel my apples, but that is up to you. Then you can either cut it into matchsticks with a knife, shred it, or spiralize it. They add a bit of sweet, fresh flavor.
Dried cranberries – raisins or golden raisins are great alternatives too. The sweet-tart chewy little bits add a different texture.

bag of coleslaw mix, an apple, dried cranberries, with bowls of Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar plus salt and pepper on a marble tapletop

How to Make Apple Slaw

Apple slaw is super easy to make. You’ll find yourself bringing it to barbecues and whipping it up as a quick side dish for a weeknight meal.

Make the dressing. Stir the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider salt, and pepper together in a bowl.

sprinkling pepper into the coleslaw dressing mixture with the bag of slaw mic, apples, and dried cranberries nearby

stirring the maple dijon cole slaw dressing mixture

Mix the coleslaw: Add the slaw mix or shredded cabbage, apples, and dried cranberries. Toss everything together with tongs until it is well coated. Serve immediately if you like a crisp slaw, or cover and store in the fridge for a few hours or overnight if you prefer a softer texture.

Alternatively, you can mix the dressing ingredients together in a bowl or liquid measuring cup with a pour spout and pour it over the slaw mix. But the method above means one less dish to wash.

pouring dried cranberries from a measuring cup into a bowl with the slaw mix and julienned apples

Tips for Success

How do you shred cabbage for coleslaw?

Personally, I like to save time and grab a bag of coleslaw mix, since it is fairly inexpensive. But to save even more money, you can shred a head of cabbage.

Rinse the head of cabbage and remove the outermost leaves. Slice off the bottom of the stem if needed so it can stand flat on the cutting board.
Cut the cabbage in half from top to bottom, then into quarters.
Make a diagonal cut in each quarter to cut out the thick stem.
Lay one wedge flat side down on the cutting board and cut into thin slices.
Cut those slices in half horizontally and run your knife through horizontally a few more times to get the size of shreds you prefer.
Repeat with the remaining wedges.

How do you shred apples?

I usually grate my apples with a box grater or paddle grater because it is quicker.
For a bit more of a crunchy texture, you can use a knife to cut the apple into matchsticks. Cut the apple from the core and cut very thin slices, then cut each slice into thin matchsticks.
You can also use a spiralizer, then cut the apple spirals into smaller pieces. The kids love this.

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Last updated on September 30, 2023 12:04 am

Will the apples turn brown?

The acid in the vinegar and Greek yogurt will keep the apples from browning.

Storing Coleslaw

Store your coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Can you freeze coleslaw?

I do not recommend freezing apple slaw. Neither the Greek yogurt in this healthy coleslaw recipe nor cabbage freeze and thaw well. Both tend to release moisture and you will end up with a watery slaw after it thaws.

apple coleslaw in a white serving bowl with a blue decorative edge

What food goes with coleslaw?

This apple slaw recipe is a great side for grilled dishes or barbecue favorites. Of course, it’s perfect pile on top of BBQ Pulled Chicken sandwiches or with Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts. But there are so many more meal options:

Steak Dinner: Honey Balsamic Grilled Flat Iron Steak is so tender and juicy, and complemented nicely with a fresh salad.
Sunday Roast: Apple Cider Dijon Marinated Tip Roast is an easy, lean beef roast that has some of the same flavors as this cole slaw recipe.
Slow Cooker Meal: BBQ Rubbed Crockpot Turkey Breast doesn’t take much effort to make a moist and flavorful turkey to pair with it.
Party Food: Or put it on top of these Pulled Pork Loaded Sweet Potato Fries or BBQ Chicken Nachos.

Maple Dijon Apple Cole Slaw - the classic salad recipe with a healthy fall twist

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4.9 from 9 votes