The ultimate summer side dish – Crunchy, crisp Carrot and Apple Slaw! It’s sweet, fresh, healthy & easy. But mostly, it’s oh so SCRUMPTIOUS!

Carrot and Apple Slaw is everything you want in a warm-weather salad recipe! Carrots for crunch; apples, raisins and honey for sweetness; rice vinegar for tang; mayo and Greek yogurt for creaminess – this bright, fresh coleslaw makes everybody happy!

close up of carrot and apple slaw in a bowl with recipe name at the bottom

A Summer Salad Favorite

Endless varieties of slaw make their appearance when the weather warms up—classic cabbage coleslaw, kale crunch salad, broccoli slaw. Vinegar-based, mayonnaise-based, tart, salty, sweet—you name it, and there’s almost certainly a slaw recipe for it!

Carrot Apple Slaw is an instant favorite veggie —even the kids will love it! Plus, it pairs amazingly well with almost everything you throw on the grill, from burgers and ribs to hot dogs and chicken.

Other Recipes to Serve with Carrot Slaw

The Ultimate Burger is always a backyard BBQ favorite – this cheeseburger is a mouthwatering classic!
This Crockpot Honey BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe makes barbecue so easy! It’s perfect for BBQ chicken sandwiches or as a topping for burgers and nachos!

Ingredients

Carrots: Buying a package of shredded carrots saves tons of time!

Fruit: Granny Smith apples, cut into matchstick slices, bring the perfect sweet and sour combo to this slaw, and a cup of raisins add color, texture and great flavor!

Dressing: Mayonnaise and nonfat Greek yogurt are the creamy foundation for the dressing. Honey, rice vinegar, salt and celery seeds bring all of the flavors together beautifully!

How to Make Carrot Apple Slaw

STEP ONE: Whisk the mayo, yogurt, rice vinegar, honey, salt & celery seeds in a medium bowl until blended and creamy.

mayo, non-fat greek yogurt, rice vinegar, honey, celery seeds, and salt in a mixing bowl next to a whisk

STEP TWO: Add the matchstick apples, carrots, and cup of raisins to a large mixing bowl.

shredded carrots, raisin, and matchstick cut granny smith apples in a mixing bowl

STEP THREE: Pour the dressing over the fruits and veggies and toss together until everything is evenly coated.

slaw dressing being poured over carrots, apples, and raisins in a bowl

STEP THREE: Refrigerate until ready to eat or enjoy right away!

carrot and apple slaw in a mixing bowl after being tossed in dressing

Tips for Success

On your summer buffet table, set the slaw bowl inside a larger bowl of ice and stir it occasionally to keep it cool and safe to eat.
Trust the recipe. When you mix the slaw, the dressing may not seem like enough, but it will become thicker and creamier as it melds together.
To make a lovely salad presentation, save a few raisins and celery seeds to garnish the top just before serving.
Use a vegan mayo to make this salad vegan-friendly. (It’s naturally gluten-free too!)
You can substitute craisins (dried cranberries) for the raisins.

serving spoonful of carrot and apple slaw over the bowl

What’s the Difference between Slaw and Coleslaw?

Coleslaw, cole slaw, cold slaw, slaw…are they all the same thing? Essentially, yes! Though the ingredients can vary slightly from recipe to recipe and region to region, a traditional coleslaw recipe is the same thing as just “slaw.” The original word for coleslaw comes from the Dutch word “koolsla” which simply translates to “cabbage salad”!

In the U.S., slaw has morphed from “cabbage only” to many other salad vegetables and fruits for many slaw combinations, so you’re sure to find some you love!

How Long Can Coleslaw be Left Out?

For ANY salad that contains mayonnaise (from chicken, tuna, and egg salad to a 7-layer lettuce salad and most coleslaw recipes), the rule of safety is 2 hours. If it’s a hot summer day, nearing 90 degrees, slaw should only be left out for an hour. Your leftover coleslaw (assuming it has remained cool the entire time) will keep in the refrigerator for a maximum of 5 days.

portion of carrot and apple slaw on a plate next to sliced chicken breast

Other Spectacular Summer Slaw Recipes!

*This post was originally posted on 05/08/2014.