With crunchy carrots, sweet and tart apples, dried cranberries, salty feta cheese, and a creamy dressing, Carrot Apple Slaw is a refreshingly sweet and savory salad for summer!
It's May, y'all. MAY. And that means that after a flurry of teacher appreciation and field day and end-of-year parties, the school year will come to a close. Spring will give way to summer. Vacation time will be upon us. And I just don't know if I'm ready for the year to be almost halfway over!
But, alas, I have no control over the lightning-quick speed at which life is zooming by. What I do have control over is how wholeheartedly I strive to enjoy it as it comes. And I have to admit...I do love me some summertime!
So with the kick-off to the summer season (AKA, Memorial Day weekend) just a few short weeks away, my mind is already turning to recipes involving grilling, fresh produce, ice cream, and salads...and at the moment, this Carrot Apple Slaw tops the list! Because if you need a special salad to complement just about any summertime entree, this sweet/tart/savory/crispy/creamy combo is IT.
Carrot Slaw
When I was growing up, my mom often made a carrot salad that had a creamy dressing and was peppered with raisins, pineapple tidbits, and marshmallows. Sounds weird, but it was actually pretty good. I recently pondered making a similar recipe for my own children, but then I wondered what it might be like to throw some apples in there instead of pineapple. After all, each of my kids enjoys raw carrots, and they're all obsessed with apples.
Apple Slaw
So I tossed some matchstick carrots into a bowl, julienned a sweet red (Honeycrisp) apple and a tart green (Granny Smith) apple, whipped up a quick, creamy dressing inspired by one of my recent chicken salad concoctions, and mixed everything up. Then, for good measure, I stirred in some sweetened dried cranberries and velvety feta cheese. I let everything hang out in the fridge for about an hour to soften the carrots a bit and allow the flavors to meld and...WOW! This is one tasty Carrot Apple Slaw.
I think this recipe would be a fabulous substitute any time you might serve a traditional cole slaw...as a side dish to barbecue or grilled entrees, piled on top of a pulled pork sandwich, or as a serving of fruit and veggies for picky kids at lunch or dinnertime. Because let me tell you, my kids went crazy over this.
It has a little bit of everything, flavor- and texture-wise. The crunchy carrots soften the longer they sit in the dressing, but they still maintain a nice bite. I prefer using a sweet apple and a tart apple to get both flavors in there, but feel free to use your favorite variety. The dressing includes a bit of honey for sweetness and a splash of rice wine vinegar for tang. But I think the dried cranberries and feta cheese crumbles are the real stars of the show. The cranberries add a pop of flavor while the creamy feta cheese contributes the perfect balance of saltiness.
So the next time you need a unique, versatile salad or side dish that's sure to please, I hope you'll give this Carrot Apple Slaw a try. It's easy to make, it's bright and colorful, and it's oh-so-good!
Helpful Tips, Tricks, & Equipment
- You may use all yogurt or all mayonnaise if you prefer, but realize that doing so will slightly affect the flavor of the dressing.
- Same thing goes for the honey...tweak it up or down depending on how sweet you prefer your slaw.
- You can typically buy pre-cut matchstick carrots in the produce section of the grocery store. Try to cut your apples about the same size.
More Summer Salads
- Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad with Avocado
- German Potato Salad
- Spring Salad with Mixed Berries, Candied Almonds, & Honey Citrus Vinaigrette
- Tortellini Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Basil, & Fresh Corn
Carrot Apple Slaw
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet red apple
- 1 large tart green apple
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 10 ounces matchstick carrots (about 3 cups)
- â…“ cup mayonnaise
- â…“ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)
- ½ cup dried sweetened cranberries
Instructions
- Core apples and cut into thin slices; cut slices into matchsticks (you should have around 3 ½ cups julienned apples). Place in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add carrots and stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, rice wine vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste. Pour over apple/carrot mixture and stir to coat. Mix in crumbled feta cheese and dried cranberries. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to blend, or longer if you prefer softer carrots and apples. If a bit of liquid accumulates at the bottom of the bowl, serve using a slotted spoon.
Video
Notes
Adapted from Weight Watchers
Ann
I made this one morning and served it for lunch. I found it to be rather bland. Next day I had the leftovers and it was wonderful! It needs time for flavors to blend. It was still crisp the next day.
Melissa C
Just made this tonight, to go with leftover pizza and hot wings, and it was delicious!
I added cabbage and green onions from the garden, plus the zest from the lemon, and since I didn't have cranberries, I subbed in some chopped dates. I left the dressing the same, adjusting the vinegar and salt/pepper to taste. Thank you so much, for this fab salad recipe! I'll definitely be making it again and again.
Aimee
Would this be ok being made a day ahead of time? I’m taking it to my in-laws for a birthday party and am hoping to get it done the evening before.
Looks delicious, so excited to try it!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Absolutely, Aimee! The slaw will just soften as it marinates in the fridge, so it won't be as crunchy as if you had served it sooner. But we've actually enjoyed leftovers for several days and they were still yummy. 🙂
Su Mucheng
Great recipe,cant wait to try this at home. Thanks for posting.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Noelle
I used all yogurt and a little extra honey and I loved how sweet it was! Thanks for the great recipe 🙂
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I'm so glad you were able to tweak it to your tastes, Noelle! 🙂
Markene
Hi, can you use just plain vinegar?
& add some cabbage so it seems like traditional slaw.
Samantha Skaggs
I can't guarantee how those substitutions would turn out, since I haven't tried them. But you may certainly tweak the recipe as you wish. 🙂
Lisa
When I made the recipe, instead of 10 oz of carrots I used 5 oz of carrots and 5 oz shredded cabbage. It turned out amazing!
Samantha Skaggs
What a clever idea, Lisa! I'm going to have to try that. 🙂
Shiho
Delicious and so refreshing. It was soooo good for hot weather in Brisbane, Australia!! Thank you for sharing 😀
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yay, Shiho...it's definitely a great summer side dish!
Mandy
I know we'll love this because we already love the individual ingredients. I'll have to omit the dried cranberries, I'm afraid. I love them just a little too much even to have them in the house, if you get my drift. I may experiment with fresh cranberries, quick cooked in sugar free syrup and added at serving time.
Mary Vitale
Made the carrot & Apple slaw salad. It was just okay, I think too tart. In Mexico they make a plain carrot salad that I really wanted to duplicate for a summer dinner. It's been 80 here in San Miguel for a couple of weeks & ate on the outside with guests.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hi Mary! You could use only sweet apples (such as honeycrisps or pink ladies) and eliminate the Granny Smith for a less tart slaw. You could also increase the honey if you prefer. 🙂
Ronald Bosch
Thanks Samantha. For my next Waldorf salad, I am now inspired to add feta and cranberries. Should taste devine.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You're very welcome, Ronald...sounds like the perfect addition to a Waldorf salad! Enjoy! 🙂
Bobi
My mom used to make a recipe like this. Brings back summer memories!
I have a link party going on this weekend, I'd love to have you join.
Thanks, Bobi
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Isn't food nostalgia the best, Bobi?! My mom made a carrot salad, but without the apples. I have fond memories of that recipe as well... 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kristi Rimkus
What a gorgeous salad! I've pinned this for the weekend.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much for the pin, Kristi...I hope you enjoyed this recipe if you've had a chance to try it. 🙂
Michelle vail
Amazing 3 of of 4 kids approved. Added extra cranberries. Walnuts, and yogurt only.
Amy | Club Narwhal
Samantha, I can't believe how fast this year is going! Also, this slaw looks SO refreshing--I just want to heap it on some pulled pork sandwiches 🙂
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Right, Amy?! But just you wait until that sweet baby joins you soon...the year following that will positively ZOOM! 😉 And I totally agree that this slaw would be great on pulled pork sandwiches...I've already got that on my to-try list. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and hope you're having a fabulous week!
Verena
Hi Samantha
My daughter put me onto this recipe and we have made it several times. We love it and it's so versatile. We have served it with roast pork belly with crackling and tonight I'm going to add a little leftover red cabbage I have lurking at the back of my fridge and will be serving it with crispy skin duck breast.