This easy cabbage salad recipe is super tasty and nourishing too. The sweet and sour dressing goes quite well with the simple crunchiness of fresh green apples and cabbage.

Why We Love this Cabbage Salad

Recipes for cabbage salad often involve a slightly soggy scoop of shredded slaw mixed with mayo, but not this recipe! With a tangy-sweet dressing drizzled over crispy, crunchy leaves, this is one salad that will redefine things for good.

It’s fresh and crisp and because the base is cabbage instead of lettuce, leftovers keep for a day or two as well! It can also be made ahead of time.

The dressing is homemade but with just a handful of ingredients, it’s ready in just minutes.

This salad pairs well with just about any entree.

Ingredients & Variations

This salad has more additions than a traditional slaw recipe. It’s easy to get creative and mix things up with this recipe.

DRESSING: No maple syrup? No problem, just use honey or even brown sugar mixed with warm water. ½ teaspoon of dry mustard powder mixed with 1 ½ teaspoons of mayo can substitute for dijon in a pinch.

CABBAGE: Napa, red, Asian, purple cabbage – any of these can be used.  Feel free to matchstick some carrots, chop some kale, or even shred a broccoli stalk for extra flavor and nutrition.

TOPPINGS: Any crumbly, salty cheese can work, including goat cheese or even blue cheese. Toasted walnuts or toasted sunflower seeds can be substituted for pecans.

How to Make Cabbage Salad

  • Thinly slice cabbage and apple (as per recipe below).
  • Shake dressing ingredients thoroughly in a sealed jar.
  • Toss together in a salad bowl and top with feta, cranberry raisins, and nuts.

Tips for Success

  • If you aren’t serving this right away, a squeeze of lemon juice over keeps the apples from browning. (Or use Opal apples that never oxidize, keeping their fresh appearance).
  • Toss the cabbage and dressing thoroughly and let it sit a few minutes before serving if time allows.
  • Toast the raw sunflower seeds, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts or the pecans in a dry skillet for about 1 minute or until slightly browned.

Leftovers

Leftover cabbage salad doesn’t get soggy like tossed salad might. Just keep it covered tightly and refrigerate any leftovers.

Cabbage salad tastes great served atop pulled pork sandwiches or tucked into fish tacos!

Other Savory Salad Recipes

  • Classic Coleslaw Recipe – a perfect summer salad
  • Creamy Apple Slaw Recipe – a refreshing side dish
  • Dill Pickle Coleslaw – creamy & flavorful
  • Easy Asian Slaw– quick and easy!
  • Creamy Broccoli Slaw – crunchy & tangy

Did you enjoy this Cabbage Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

Cabbage Salad

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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