Red Cabbage Salad with Apples and Walnuts

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.

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 266kcal

Author Julia Maz

Ingredients

Salad

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

Maple-Dijon Dressing

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

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

Video

Notes

🔀 Recipe 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.

Nutrition