This Crisp Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw is A Southern Favorite

Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw is a tasty way to add a crisp, sweet crunch to your next meal. 🍎 With fresh cabbage, juicy apples, and a hint of spice, it’s perfect for family dinners or backyard barbecues. This easy-to-make dish brings Southern comfort to your table with every bite. Try it today and bring a refreshing twist to your sides!

Hero shot of Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw in a white bowl, capturing its crunchy texture and pops of sweet red apple.

Sweet apple celery coleslaw quickly became my favorite after I moved to the south. Only when I moved to Tennessee did I realize that there is actually a big debate over whether coleslaw should be creamy or vinegary. Frankly, I never really ate coleslaw in California. I had it here and there at potlucks or Kentucky Fried Chicken, but I never loved it. I always had the creamy, mayonnaise-based coleslaws, and they never really flipped my lid. They were only ok. And why eat something that is only ok?

If I’m going to spend my calories, it’s going to be on something lip-smacking irresistible! So when I discovered this sweet apple celery coleslaw, I was an instant fan. It’s a teeny bit sweeter with a tiny kick of cayenne. It’s basically a salad, but let’s call it coleslaw because I’m in Tennessee now, and “When in Rome…”

Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw: A Fresh and Flavorful Twist

If you’re looking for a light, crisp, and slightly sweet side dish, this sweet apple celery coleslaw will be your new favorite. It’s quick to make and perfect for everything from family dinners to backyard barbecues. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Combine Fresh Ingredients

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl to make things easy. Add a bag of premixed coleslaw for convenience, then chop up 3 celery stalks for a nice crunch. Next, dice one sweet apple. This is where the magic happens!

I used a Pink Lady apple for its crisp texture and sweet flavor, but Fuji, Gala, or even the tartness of Granny Smith would work beautifully, too. Feel free to pick your favorite apple to make this coleslaw your own.

A bowl of premixed Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw with finely shredded cabbage, celery, and chopped apples before dressing.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

For the dressing, combine 1/2 cup of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Then add in 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon each of Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.

Ingredients for Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw dressing, including olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and spices, in a clear bowl.

Step 3: Emulsify the Dressing

Now, it’s time to emulsify the dressing. Whisk the mixture quickly until it’s fully combined and smooth. Did you know that mini whisks are perfect for jobs like this? They fit into small bowls and make mixing so much easier. If you don’t have one, a fork works just fine too! The goal here is to ensure the dressing has a silky, even texture before you drizzle it over the coleslaw.

Whisked Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw dressing in a clear bowl, featuring a golden hue and specks of seasoning throughout.

Step 4: Toss the Coleslaw

Pour the dressing over the sweet apple celery coleslaw and use a pair of tongs to toss everything together thoroughly. Make sure the dressing coats all the crunchy veggies and apples so every bite is packed with flavor. Tossing with tongs is the best way to keep everything light and fluffy without crushing the delicate apples.

Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw with the golden dressing drizzled over the crunchy mix of cabbage, celery, and diced apples.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Your sweet apple celery coleslaw is ready to enjoy! You can serve it right away, but I recommend covering the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerating it for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. It’s a fantastic side dish for weeknight dinners. It’s also a showstopper on top of burgers, crab cakes, or pulled pork sandwiches.

A large bowl of Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw tossed with crisp cabbage, crunchy celery, and vibrant red apple pieces.

A Fun Family Recipe to Try

Sweet apple celery coleslaw is so easy a 5-year-old can make it! My little Nevaeh made this all on her own while I worked on the Crockpot baby-back ribs we made to go with it. It was such an easy but delicious meal she could feel a part of. She loves to help me in the kitchen and says that one day she wants to be a “cooker” too.

A young girl in a white shirt holding a bowl of Sweet Apple Celery Coleslaw, smiling proudly in a kitchen setting.

Need some other side dish ideas? If you like the sweet apple celery coleslaw idea, you may like my apple blue cheese salad, but if you want to go the vegetable route, I would highly suggest 10-minute oven-roasted Brussels sprouts. There are even more ideas on my recipe index and Scrumptious Sides Pinterest Board. Happy Cooking, y’all!