Red Cabbage Coleslaw Apple Parmesan (Printable)

Vibrant and crunchy red cabbage slaw featuring crisp apple, salty Parmesan, and a tangy vinaigrette. A refreshing side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Fruit

01 - 1 small head red cabbage (about 1.3 pounds), finely shredded
02 - 1 large crisp apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), julienned or coarsely grated
03 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ Cheese

04 - 2.1 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved or coarsely grated

→ Dressing

05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1 teaspoon honey
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, julienned apple, and thinly sliced spring onions.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Add the shaved or coarsely grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl and toss gently to distribute without breaking down the vegetable shreds.
05 - Transfer the coleslaw to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using.
06 - Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the sharp bite of cabbage meets sweet apple and salty Parmesan creates that perfect contrast that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
  • It gets better as it sits, making it your best friend for meal prep and make ahead situations
  • You probably have everything you need right now, no special grocery runs required
02 -
  • The salt in the dressing will draw water out of the cabbage and apple, which can make things soggy after 24 hours
  • Grating the apple instead of julienning gives you more surface area for flavor but changes the texture completely
  • Room temperature ingredients help the dressing emulsify better than cold ones straight from the fridge
03 -
  • Use a box grater for the apple if you are short on time, it will release more juice but that just means more flavor in the dressing
  • Massage the cabbage with the dressing for about a minute if you want it to soften faster before serving
  • Keep the Parmesan in large flakes rather than fine grates, it makes each bite feel more special
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