September 18, 2026

Apple Jalapeño Slaw

Name: Apple Jalapeño Slaw
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups green cabbage (shredded); 2 cups red cabbage (shredded); 1 Honeycrisp apple (juilienned); 2 green onions (chopped); 1 medium jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped); 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 Tbsp honey; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Crisp cabbage, juicy Honeycrisp apple, and a hint of jalapeño heat come together in a tangy honey dressing. This slaw is the perfect side for grilled chicken, burgers, and summer…

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Here’s a crisp, sweet, and spicy twist on a classic coleslaw. Crunchy cabbage, juicy Honeycrisp apple, green onion, and a little jalapeño heat all get tossed together in a tangy honey dressing.

This Apple Jalapeño Slaw earns a spot on the plate alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, burgers, fish, and more. It’s especially amazing on these BBQ Rotisserie Chicken Sliders. At my house, it’s also earned a permanent spot on the refrigerator shelf, not just as a side dish for dinner, but for a quick lunch with crackers or a mid-afternoon snack!

This dish is perfect to whip up and take along to outdoor picnics or game day. And if you’re serving it up for game day, don’t be afraid to toss in a little extra jalapeño. It’ll fit right in with all the other bold flavors at the party!

Why You’ll Love this Apple Jalapeño Slaw

Crisp, sweet, and spicy all in one bite

Comes together in 15 minutes with simple, fresh ingredients

A versatile side for grilled chicken, pork chops, burgers, fish, and more

Great for meal prep since it holds up well for a day or two

Perfect for picnics, game day, or a quick snack straight from the fridge

What You’ll Need

Green & red cabbage: shredded, for crunch

Honeycrisp apple: julienned; its natural sweetness and crispness balance the heat

Green onions: chopped, for a mild bite

Jalapeño: seeded and finely chopped; remove the white pith for a milder slaw, or leave some in for extra heat

Apple cider vinegar: the tangy base of the dressing

Honey: balances the vinegar and jalapeño with sweetness

Dijon mustard: adds a little tang

Olive oil, salt, and black pepper

How to Make Apple Jalapeño Slaw

Prep the vegetables and apple. Tip: toss the cut apple in a very small amount of lemon juice to keep it from browning while you prepare the other ingredients.

In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, apple, green onions, and jalapeños.

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated.

Cover and refrigerate at least 20 minutes before serving. Tip: this slaw actually improves after an hour or two in the fridge, as the cabbage softens a bit and soaks up the dressing.

How to Serve

Pair with grilled chicken, pork chops, burgers, or fish.

Serve alongside these BBQ Chicken Sliders.

Pack it for picnics or game day.

Enjoy on its own with crackers for a quick lunch or snack.

Tips

Toss the cut apple in a very small amount of lemon juice to keep it from browning.

For less heat, remove the jalapeño’s white pith along with all the seeds (that’s where most of the spice lives).

This slaw improves after an hour or two in the fridge as the cabbage softens and soaks up the dressing.

Make it a day or two ahead for meal prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this slaw ahead of time?

Yes, it holds up well and can be made a day or two ahead, making it great for meal prep.

How do I make this slaw less spicy?

Remove the jalapeño’s white pith along with all the seeds, since that’s where most of the heat lives.

Why do I toss the apple in lemon juice?

A small amount of lemon juice keeps the julienned apple from browning while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.