Zesty Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe for Festive Tables

Crisp cabbage and vibrant cranberry almond thanksgiving slaw dance together in a festive autumn medley that brightens any holiday table.

Tart berries and crunchy almonds weave through shredded vegetables with elegant simplicity.

This colorful salad brings fresh textures and zesty flavors to traditional Thanksgiving sides.

Packed with nutrients and dressed in a light, tangy vinaigrette, the slaw offers a delightful contrast to rich holiday dishes.

Each forkful delivers a satisfying crunch and burst of seasonal flavors.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a stunning side that will impress everyone gathered around your table.

Dive into this delectable slaw and watch it become the unexpected star of your holiday feast.

How To Keep Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Crisp

• Smart Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the slaw in an airtight container to maintain its crispness and flavor for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate if storing longer to prevent soggy vegetables.
• Prep-Ahead Magic: Chop cabbage and carrots 1-2 days before your event, storing them in sealed containers to save time during meal preparation. Add delicate ingredients like almonds and parsley just before serving.
• Texture Tip: If the slaw becomes slightly watery after refrigeration, quickly drain excess liquid and refresh with a sprinkle of fresh almonds for renewed crunch.
• Leftover Transformation: Repurpose remaining slaw as a zesty topping for grilled chicken, fish tacos, or mixed into a quick salad for a delicious next-day lunch option.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything Crunchy In Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

• Green Cabbage: Crisp base that adds delightful crunch and earthy undertones to the slaw.
• Red Cabbage: Provides vibrant color and peppery flavor while boosting nutritional value.
• Carrots: Brings sweet notes and beautiful orange hue for visual appeal and added texture.
• Parsley: Delivers bright, fresh herbal accent that lifts the entire dish's flavor profile.

• Dried Cranberries: Introduces tart-sweet burst that complements the vegetables with holiday-inspired charm.
• Sliced Almonds: Contributes delicate nutty crunch and elegant texture to the salad.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky base that helps bind ingredients with rich, subtle flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the overall taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides zesty depth and helps emulsify the dressing for smooth consistency.
• Honey: Offers natural sweetness and helps round out the dressing's flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances and elevates all other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complexity to the dressing.

Tools That Make Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw A Snap

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining and tossing slaw ingredients.
• Small bowl or jar: Perfect for whisking and mixing dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing components smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing almonds and chopping parsley.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, honey, and other seasonings.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise ingredient quantities for dressing.

Quick Steps To Whip Up Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw

• Holiday Slaw Palette

A vibrant medley of crisp cabbage varieties, sweet cranberries, and crunchy almonds creates a festive side dish that dances with flavor and texture. This colorful salad brings brightness to any seasonal gathering.

• Zesty Dressing Magic

Whisk together a harmonious blend of tangy apple cider vinegar, golden honey, rich olive oil, and bold Dijon mustard. This liquid gold transforms simple vegetables into a memorable culinary experience.

• Flavor Fusion

Drench the slaw with the luscious dressing, gently mixing until every ingredient is beautifully coated. Allow the mixture to rest, letting the flavors mingle and intensify for maximum deliciousness. Serve chilled and watch guests marvel at this unexpected twist on traditional holiday fare.

Tips To Give Your Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Extra Zing

• Winter Slaw Preservation: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the crunch and flavor intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep vegetables and dressing separately, combining just before serving to maintain maximum texture and prevent soggy slaw.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, crumbled goat cheese, or roasted turkey for a hearty protein boost that transforms this side into a complete meal.
• Allergy-Friendly Twist: Replace almonds with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version, perfect for those with nut allergies while maintaining the delightful crunch and nutty flavor profile.

Ways To Serve Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw That Wow

• Fresh Holiday Table Centerpiece: Create a stunning Thanksgiving spread by arranging the colorful slaw in a beautiful crystal or ceramic serving bowl, garnished with extra parsley sprigs and scattered almonds for elegant visual appeal.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the slaw's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken strips, sliced turkey, or crumbled goat cheese on top, transforming it from a simple side dish to a complete meal with delicious protein options.
• Leftover Magic: Store any remaining slaw in an airtight container for 2-3 days, using it as a tangy topping for sandwiches, wraps, or mixed into green salads for a delightful flavor boost and zero food waste.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the slaw ingredients separately and keep the dressing in a sealed container, allowing guests or family members to mix just before serving, ensuring maximum crispness and freshness of the vegetables.

Festive Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cranberry almond thanksgiving slaw delivers a refreshing twist on classic holiday sides with crisp textures and tangy flavors. Festive ingredients blend seamlessly to create a memorable dish that delights palates at any seasonal gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (946 ml) green cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups (473 ml) red cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup (237 ml) carrots, shredded
• ½ cup (118 ml) almonds, sliced
• ½ cup (118 ml) cranberries, dried
• ¼ cup (59 ml) parsley, fresh, chopped
• ¼ cup (59 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Preparation: Combine shredded green and red cabbage, grated carrots, and finely chopped fresh parsley in a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and textural foundation for the slaw.
2. Flavor Incorporation: Scatter dried cranberries and sliced almonds throughout the vegetable mixture, ensuring an even distribution for balanced taste and mouthfeel.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper into a smooth, emulsified dressing that will bind and enhance the slaw’s components.
4. Flavor Melding: Gently toss the vegetables with the prepared dressing, coating each ingredient thoroughly and allowing the flavors to intermingle and develop depth.
5. Resting and Serving: Let the slaw rest for 20 minutes at room temperature to allow the ingredients to marinate, then serve as a festive and refreshing side dish that showcases a harmonious blend of crisp textures and complementary flavors.

Notes

• Maintain Crunch: Let slaw rest briefly before serving to prevent vegetables from becoming soggy, preserving the crisp texture of cabbage and almonds.
• Customize Dressing: Adjust honey and vinegar ratios to control sweetness and tanginess, tailoring the flavor profile to personal preference or dietary needs.
• Enhance Nutrition: Consider adding protein-rich quinoa or grilled chicken to transform this side dish into a complete, balanced meal for health-conscious eaters.
• Adjust Dietary Restrictions: Swap honey with maple syrup for vegan version, or use gluten-free Dijon mustard to accommodate different dietary requirements.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg