Purple Cabbage Coleslaw (with Apples & Cinnamon)

This Purple Cabbage Coleslaw with Apples and Cinnamon is by far the most deliciously crunchy and sweet coleslaw you will ever eat!  The pickiest of eaters will devour this slaw. It is loaded with crunchy pink lady apples, raisins, carrots, and the best cinnamon dressing ever.  It should almost be called a dessert.  No one will ever believe it is dairy free and refined sugar free too.  I dare you not have seconds or thirds! If you love slaw you have to try this recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Make it a day ahead: This coleslaw is even better the second day. Go ahead and make it ahead of time so no fussing on the day you want to serve it. Making a batch of purple cabbage coleslaw ahead also lets you relax.

Minimal ingredients: This coleslaw has 4 main ingredients and 2 dressing ingredients plus a few spices. Easy peasy with purple cabbage coleslaw!

Ingredients You Will Need

Red cabbage: Whether you call it red or purple this cabbage has a high concentration of antioxidants which are proven to reduce oxidative stress. It can be served raw or cooked. It is just so pretty and a favorite of mine for all sorts of salads like purple cabbage coleslaw.

Carrot: Fresh carrots add a satisfying crunch and a touch of natural sweetness to the salad with a vibrant color.

Pink lady apple: This is my favorite apple! I love the sweet-tart crisp bite it has that adds a refreshing burst of flavor to this salad. It is also my apple of choice as it is slow to oxidize (turn brown). This makes it the perfect choice for this make ahead salad.

Raisins: Raisins are dried grapes. The drying process concentrates both the nutrients and sugars in the grape. This makes them nutrient dense and they add a delicious sweetness to this purple cabbage coleslaw.

Avocado mayonnaise: This mayo is made from avocado oil, unlike many common mayos crafted with other oils. It offers a unique creamy texture and a healthier fat profile.

Apple cinnamon fruit spread: Using unsweetened apple cinnamon fruit spread provides a fruit-forward flavor without excessive sweetness. My favorite is St. Dalfour.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon powder is much finer than ground cinnamon and easier to mix into recipes. Ground cinnamon has a coarser texture and can add a bit of crunch to dishes.

Salt and pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while ground black pepper adds a gentle heat. These aspects improve the overall flavor of a dish.

Instructions

In a small bowl: Add mayonnaise, apple cinnamon spread, cinnamon, salt and pepper and whisk well. Set aside.

In a large bowl: Add cabbage, apples, carrots and raisins tossing to combine.

Pour dressing in: Add dressing to purple cabbage coleslaw and toss well to coat everything thoroughly.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Make this coleslaw a day ahead: This helps the cabbage soften and the flavors of the dressing really meld together with the slaw ingredients. An overnight rest improves purple cabbage coleslaw.

Buy carrot sticks: You can buy carrot sticks saving you even more time in the preparation of this slaw.

Recipe Variations

Add green cabbage: You could use a mix of green and purple cabbage or even broccoli slaw for this recipe.

Dried cranberries: Want to add a bit of tang to the sweetness of this slaw? Swap unsweetened cranberries for the raisins.

Storage Tips

Purple cabbage coleslaw with apples and cinnamon can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days. Ensure it is placed in a sealed airtight glass container.

FAQs About Purple Cabbage Coleslaw with Apple & Raisins

How do you keep the red cabbage from bleeding in coleslaw?

While this slaw never lasts long enough to have this happen, you could toss the cabbage with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar before combining with the remaining ingredients. This prepares a perfect purple cabbage coleslaw.

Why does my homemade coleslaw get watery?

Cabbage contains a lot of water. You could salt the cabbage and let it sit for 2 hours, rinse with cold water and spin in a salad spinner to prevent this. The good news is the dressing on this slaw is thick and creamy. It helps keep the purple cabbage coleslaw from getting too watery.

Does red cabbage need to be washed?

I always wash my vegetables. I remove the outer leaves and discard, cut the cabbage in half and rinse under cold water. A thorough wash ensures your purple cabbage coleslaw is clean. Allow to drain on paper towels or dry cloth.