Crisp and Refreshing Cabbage Apple Salad
How to Make a Cabbage Apple Salad: A Coleslaw-Style Recipe Perfect as a Side Dish, Brunch, or Sandwich Filling
Do you have half a head of cabbage leftover and wonder what to make? This recipe is for you! We’ve created a crisp and refreshing coleslaw-style salad using nutrient-rich cabbage and sweet apples. It’s a versatile dish that works wonderfully as a side dish for meals, a filling for sandwiches, or a simple brunch option. The key to its deliciousness lies in the salting and draining process. By lightly salting thinly sliced apples and cabbage, then squeezing out excess moisture, you retain the vegetables’ crispness while removing bitterness, resulting in a much fresher and tastier salad. Combine this with a dressing of creamy mayonnaise, sweet corn syrup, tangy lemon juice, and a pinch of pepper for a universally loved cabbage and apple dish. It’s absolutely delicious served alongside rice, or piled generously onto a bagel for a delightful sandwich. This salad requires no cooking and highlights the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients. Try making this wonderfully appealing salad today!
Salad Ingredients
- 1 Apple (approx. 220g)
- 1/2 Head Cabbage (approx. 150g)
- 1/5 Carrot
Vegetable Salting
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp Vinegar
Dressing Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or honey/agave)
- 1/2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp Vinegar
Dressing Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or honey/agave)
- 1/2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one apple (about 220g). Since we’ll be using the peel, it’s important to wash it thoroughly under running water, using baking soda to ensure it’s clean. The apple peel is nutritious and adds a pleasant crunch, so eating it with the skin is recommended.
Step 2
After washing, remove the core from the apple and then slice it into thin, lengthwise strips. Cutting them not too thinly will provide a better texture when you bite into them.
Step 3
Next, prepare about 150g of cabbage (roughly half a head). After washing it clean, thinly shred it to a similar thickness as the apple slices. Shredding it thinly will help the dressing coat it well and contribute to a tender texture.
Step 4
Thinly slice the carrot lengthwise, matching the thickness of the shredded cabbage. Carrots add a lovely color and a subtle sweetness to the salad.
Step 5
Place the shredded cabbage, apple, and carrot in a bowl. Add the ingredients for salting the vegetables: 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1/2 Tbsp vinegar.
Step 6
Gently toss the vegetables with your hands to evenly distribute the seasoning. Let the dressed vegetables sit for about 10 minutes. This process will soften them slightly and draw out some moisture, which helps to mellow any bitterness while keeping them crisp.
Step 7
After 10 minutes, you’ll notice the vegetables have slightly wilted and some liquid has collected at the bottom. At this stage, the vegetables are tender yet still retain a pleasant crunch.
Step 8
Now, it’s time to remove the moisture from the salted vegetables. Put on a pair of disposable gloves and use both hands to firmly squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Removing excess water is crucial; it prevents the dressing from becoming watery and ensures it adheres well to the ingredients, making for a more flavorful salad. This step is key to achieving the perfect taste!
Step 9
To the squeezed-out cabbage, apple, and carrot mixture, add the dressing ingredients: 4 Tbsp mayonnaise for creaminess and 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or your preferred sweetener like honey or agave) for a touch of sweetness.
Step 10
Next, add 1/2 Tbsp of lemon juice for a bright, zesty note, and a pinch of black pepper to enhance the overall flavor.
Step 11
Using a spoon or spatula, gently mix everything together until the dressing is evenly coated on all the ingredients. Your delicious coleslaw-style salad is now complete!
Step 12
This cabbage and apple salad is incredibly versatile and requires no cooking. Its crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor make it a fantastic side dish for any meal. It’s also perfect for a hearty brunch or as a delicious filling for sandwiches, especially on bagels. Imagine how wonderful a bagel sandwich with this salad would be – it’s truly a delightful experience!
