Jolly Holiday Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

Crisp autumn days call for a vibrant cranberry almond Thanksgiving slaw that sparkles with seasonal flavors and unexpected textures.

This colorful side dish brings a delightful crunch to your holiday table with a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes.

Shredded cabbage serves as the hearty base, while ruby-red cranberries add festive brightness to every bite.

Toasted almonds provide a delicate nutty undertone that complements the fresh ingredients.

Crunchy and light, this slaw offers a refreshing counterpoint to traditional heavy holiday dishes.

Each forkful promises a delectable blend of colors and tastes that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Prepare to wow your guests with this simple yet sophisticated salad that celebrates the best of autumn’s bounty.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Cranberry Almond Slaw with a Holiday Touch

• Green Cabbage: Provides crisp texture and earthy foundation for the slaw.
• Red Cabbage: Adds vibrant color and extra nutritional punch with a peppery undertone.
• Carrots: Brings sweet crunch and bright orange color to enhance visual appeal.

• Dried Cranberries: Delivers sweet-tart burst and festive holiday touch with chewy texture.
• Sliced Almonds: Introduces nutty crunch and rich protein element for added complexity.
• Parsley: Contributes fresh herbal note and bright green color for garnish.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky base that helps blend all flavors together.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps balance overall taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds sharp, sophisticated undertone and helps emulsify dressing.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps smooth out acidic components.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the recipe.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and aromatic complexity to the dressing.

Tools for Slicing and Mixing Thanksgiving Slaw

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all the slaw ingredients and tossing them together.
• Small bowl or jar: Ideal for whisking and mixing the dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending the dressing components into a uniform, creamy consistency.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping parsley and slicing almonds if not pre-sliced.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for any ingredient preparation.

How to Prepare a Tangy and Sweet Slaw Combo

• Chop and Mix Veggies

Grab your cutting board and slice green and red cabbage into thin strips. Toss these colorful ribbons into a big mixing bowl with shredded carrots, creating a vibrant base for your festive slaw.

• Sprinkle in the Extras

Scatter dried cranberries and crunchy sliced almonds into the vegetable mix. Finely chop fresh parsley and add it to the bowl, giving your slaw a bright, herbal punch.

• Whip Up the Dressing

In a small container, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a drizzle of honey. Shake or whisk these ingredients until they transform into a smooth, creamy dressing that will make your slaw sing with flavor.

• Combine and Let Marinate

Pour the zesty dressing over your veggie blend and toss everything together until each piece is beautifully coated. Let the slaw rest for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle before serving.

Crunchy Add-Ons for Texture and Flavor

• Toast the almonds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the slaw.
• Prepare the slaw up to 24 hours in advance, keeping the dressing and salad separate until just before serving to maintain maximum crispness.
• Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to make this recipe completely plant-based while keeping the same sweet undertones.
• Add grilled chicken, crispy tofu, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete meal that's perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
• Experiment with different dried fruits like chopped dried apricots or golden raisins to give the slaw a unique twist and match different holiday menus.

Serve This Salad Beside Any Holiday Roast

• Festive Thanksgiving Table Companion: Place this colorful slaw alongside roasted turkey and classic side dishes for a refreshing crunch that brightens the holiday plate.
• Hearty Meal Booster: Serve as a protein-packed topping for leftover turkey sandwiches or stuff inside rolled wraps for an extra nutritious lunch the day after Thanksgiving.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this vibrant slaw to gatherings as a make-ahead dish that travels well and adds a zesty, fresh element to buffet-style meals, delighting guests with its tangy and crunchy profile.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep Magic: Store in sealed containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to deepen and develop, making it a perfect stress-free side dish for busy holiday preparations.

Storing Slaw and Keeping It Crisp

• Store this vibrant slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping it crisp and delicious for up to 3-4 days.
• Prepare the slaw mix and dressing separately, storing them in different containers to maintain maximum crunch and prevent soggy textures before final mixing.
• Keep sliced almonds and dried cranberries in a separate sealed bag or container to maintain their texture, adding them just before serving for optimal crispness and flavor.
• Always serve the slaw chilled, allowing it to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the blend of flavors and ensure a perfect, refreshing taste experience.

Festive Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Festive Cranberry Almond Thanksgiving Slaw brings holiday cheer to your table with crisp textures and zesty flavors. Crisp cabbage, tart cranberries, and crunchy almonds create a refreshing side dish that elevates your seasonal celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (946 ml) green cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups (473 ml) red cabbage, shredded
• ½ cup (118 ml) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (60 g) almonds, sliced (toasted for extra crunch)
• 1 cup (240 ml) carrots, shredded
• 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 (21 g) honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Assemble Slaw Base: In a spacious mixing vessel, artfully blend shredded green and red cabbage, grated carrots, vibrant dried cranberries, crunchy sliced almonds, and freshly chopped parsley, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
2. Craft Zesty Vinaigrette: Vigorously whisk olive oil, tangy apple cider vinegar, robust Dijon mustard, golden honey, and a delicate balance of salt and pepper in a compact mixing container until the dressing reaches a smooth, harmonious emulsion.
3. Finalize and Infuse: Cascade the prepared vinaigrette over the vegetable medley, meticulously coating each ingredient. Allow the slaw to rest and marinate for 15-20 minutes, enabling the flavors to intertwine and develop a rich, complex taste profile before presenting at your Thanksgiving gathering.

Notes

• Slice or shred cabbage thinly to ensure even coating and better absorption of dressing, preventing a tough or chewy texture.
• Adjust honey amount based on dried cranberries’ sweetness to maintain a harmonious flavor profile without overwhelming the salad.
• Toast almonds lightly before adding to develop deeper, richer flavor and create a more satisfying crispy element in the slaw.
• Prepare dressing separately and add just before serving to prevent cabbage from becoming soggy and preserve the fresh, crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg