Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts (Crunchy & Fresh)

Name: Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cups red cabbage, finely shredded; 1 medium apple, thinly sliced or julienned; 1 medium carrot, grated; ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped; ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped; 2 green onions, thinly sliced; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp lemon juice; ¼ tsp salt; ⅛ tsp black pepper

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This Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts is as colorful as it is delicious! A crunchy, easy side tossed in a light maple-Dijon vinaigrette.

Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts served in a wooden bowl.

I love a good salad that brings a little color to the table, and this one is definitely a favorite! The combination of sweet, crisp apples, fresh red cabbage (often called purple cabbage), and toasted walnuts gives every bite a delicious mix of textures and flavors. Everything is tossed in a simple maple-Dijon dressing that’s lightly sweet and tangy without overpowering the fresh ingredients. This salad comes together in just a few minutes and makes a beautiful side for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, or anytime you want something fresh and colorful on the table.

▶️ Video Tutorial

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts

💜 Vibrant & Colorful
The deep purple cabbage and bright apple slices make this salad look as gorgeous on the table as it tastes.

🥗 Serious Crunch
Crisp red cabbage, fresh apples, and toasted walnuts give every single bite an incredible, satisfying texture that holds up without getting soggy.

🍁 Sweet & Tangy Dressing
The light maple-Dijon vinaigrette ties everything together with the perfect balance of zesty, savory, and gently sweet notes.

⏱ Quick & Versatile
Just a few simple prep steps and it’s ready to serve. It works just as well for a quick weeknight side as it does for a holiday spread.

🧺 Ingredients You’ll Need

Salad

🥬 Red cabbage – 4 cups, finely shredded (about 350 g)

🍎 Crisp apple – 1 medium, thinly sliced or julienned (about 150 g)

🥕 Carrot – 1 medium, grated (about 100 g)

🌰 Toasted walnuts – ½ cup, roughly chopped (about 50 g)

🌿 Fresh parsley – ¼ cup, chopped (about 15 g)

🧅 Green onions – 2 stalks, thinly sliced (about 25 g)

Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette

🫒 Olive oil – 3 tbsp (45 ml)

🍏 Apple cider vinegar – 2 tbsp (30 ml)

🍁 Maple syrup – 1 tbsp (15 ml)

🟡 Dijon mustard – 1 tsp (5 g)

🍋 Fresh lemon juice – 1 tbsp (15 ml)

🧂 Salt – ¼ tsp (1.5 g)

🖤 Black pepper – ⅛ tsp (0.5 g)

📋 How to Make Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts

1. Make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well emulsified.

Whisking maple-Dijon vinaigrette in a wooden bowl.

2. Add the salad ingredients. To the same bowl with the dressing, add the shredded red cabbage, sliced apple, grated carrot, toasted walnuts, fresh parsley, and green onions.

Shredded red cabbage, sliced apples, carrots, walnuts, and herbs in a wooden mixing bowl.

3. Toss and serve. Toss everything together until the cabbage and apples are evenly coated in the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch more salt or black pepper if needed, then serve fresh.

Tossing the red cabbage salad in a wooden bowl until evenly coated with dressing.

Fresh colorful cabbage salad in a wooden bowl with a metal serving fork.

👩‍🍳 Tips for the Best Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts

🥬 Shred the red cabbage thinly Red cabbage is sturdier than green cabbage, so finely shredding it ensures the best crisp, tender texture that absorbs the dressing easily.

🍏 Cut the apples into matchsticks Thin matchstick slices (julienne) mix seamlessly with the shredded cabbage and ensure you get sweet apple flavor and crunch in every forkful.

🌰 Toast the walnuts Toasting the walnuts in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes brings out their natural oils, deepens their flavor, and keeps them extra crunchy.

⏳ Let it sit for 10–15 minutes Letting the salad rest before serving allows the maple-Dijon vinaigrette to gently soften the cabbage while keeping all its signature crispness intact.

✨ Red cabbage may be humble, but it is an absolute nutritional powerhouse. Beyond its stunning purple color and crisp texture, it is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. If you’re curious to learn more about why it’s so good for you, [there’s a helpful article here] that breaks down all of its amazing health benefits.

🔀 Red Cabbage Salad Variations

🍒 Add tart dried fruit
Toss in a handful of dried cranberries, tart cherries, or golden raisins for a lovely chewy contrast to the crunchy vegetables.

🌻 Switch up the nuts or seeds
If you don't have walnuts on hand, toasted pecans, slivered almonds, or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) pair wonderfully with the apples.

🍐 Try pears instead of apples
Swap the crisp apple for a firm, ripe pear (like Bosc or Anjou) for a slightly softer sweetness that feels elegant.

🌿 Boost the fresh herbs
A sprinkle of fresh mint or dill alongside the parsley adds an extra layer of brightness that cuts through the rich dressing.

🫙 Storage & Make-Ahead

🧊 Storage

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Because red cabbage is sturdy, it holds its crunch remarkably well without turning soggy.

⏳ Make-ahead tip

If you’re prepping this in advance, shred the cabbage, carrots, and onions ahead of time and mix the dressing. Slice the apples and toss in the toasted walnuts right before serving so the nuts stay extra crisp.

🧺 Perfect for potlucks & outdoor gatherings

Unlike delicate leafy greens that wilt under dressing within an hour, this hearty cabbage salad actually loves sitting for a bit. It won’t get watery or limp, making it the ideal side dish to pack in a cooler for an autumn picnic, take to a friend’s dinner, or bring along to an outdoor gathering.

Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts served on a ceramic plate with a fork.

🍽️ What to Serve With Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts

🥔 Perfect Baked Potatoes
Fluffy on the inside with a crisp skin, warm baked potatoes pair effortlessly with the cool, tangy crunch of this cabbage salad.

🍝 Tomato Mushroom Spinach Pasta
The rich, savory notes of garlic, mushrooms, and tomatoes create a comforting contrast to the sweet apples and crisp textures here.

🍚 Rice and Beans
A hearty, seasoned bowl of rice and beans keeps things satisfying and balanced, while this bright slaw cuts through the warmth with refreshing acidity.

💡 My Tip:
If you love that bold, restaurant-style texture, toss the toasted walnuts in at the very end so they stay exceptionally crisp. Red cabbage is naturally heartier than green cabbage, so giving the dressed salad a quick 10-minute rest lets the flavors meld together without losing any of that signature satisfying crunch!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to massage red cabbage before adding it to the salad?

No massaging is needed for this recipe! Because the cabbage is finely shredded, it will naturally soften just enough once tossed with the maple-Dijon vinaigrette, leaving you with the ideal crisp-tender bite without turning limp.

Will the purple cabbage turn the apples and dressing pink?

Red cabbage naturally releases pigment once mixed with acidic dressing, so the apple slices may pick up a pretty pink tint if the salad sits for a few hours. This doesn't change the flavor or crispness at all—it actually looks lovely!

Can I use raw walnuts instead of toasted?

You can use raw walnuts if you're in a hurry, but toasting them in a dry skillet for 3–5 minutes brings out their rich, nutty aroma and makes them much crispier. It’s a tiny step that makes a massive difference in every bite.

Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts close-up showing crisp shredded cabbage and apple matchsticks.

📝 Final Thoughts

There is something so satisfying about a dish that looks stunning on the table without requiring hours in the kitchen. This salad hits all the right notes for me — vibrant color, bold textures, and a maple-Dijon vinaigrette that ties it all together effortlessly. It’s fresh, versatile, and hearty enough to pair with anything from a quick weeknight dinner to a festive gathering.

If you make this Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts, I’d love to hear how you served it! Did you stick to the classic recipe, or toss in your own favorites like dried cranberries or different toasted seeds? Drop a comment below and let me know — reading your kitchen stories and seeing your twists on these recipes is always the best part of my day. 💬

📄 Scroll down for the full recipe card with step-by-step instructions.

🥬 More Recipes with Cabbage:

Crispy Cabbage Fritters

Whole Roasted Cabbage

Quick Pickled Cabbage Rolls