Crunchy Coleslaw Salad (Printable version)

Refreshing mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, dressed creamy, topped with crunchy sunflower seeds.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
02 - 2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded
03 - 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
04 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

05 - 2/3 cup mayonnaise
06 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon honey
08 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
09 - 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

11 - 1/2 cup roasted unsalted sunflower seeds

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Just before serving, sprinkle roasted sunflower seeds on top, reserving a few for garnish if desired.
05 - Serve immediately to maintain crispness, or refrigerate up to 2 hours for a softer texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It actually stays crunchy, even if you dress it hours ahead (unlike most coleslaws that turn into mush).
  • The sweet-tangy dressing is balanced perfectly, so it never tastes like mayonnaise soup.
  • You can throw it together in the time it takes to heat the grill, making it the ultimate last-minute side dish.
02 -
  • Don't dress the slaw more than 2 to 3 hours ahead, or the vegetables will start to weep and soften—it's still delicious but loses that signature crunch.
  • The celery seed makes a huge difference; I learned this the hard way by skipping it once and wondering why everyone said something was missing.
03 -
  • If you want a lighter version, swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt—it changes the texture slightly but keeps the same creamy feel with less heaviness.
  • Taste the dressing before you add it to the vegetables; it should taste a little too strong on its own, which means it will season the vegetables perfectly as they sit.
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