A combination of tart dried cranberries, crispy pecans & crisp coleslaw coated the most amazing creamy sweet maple dressing. The perfect cooler weather coleslaw to pair with your holiday meats!
Your Holiday Slaw!
This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. The pairing of the tart cranberries with that sweet creamy maple mayo dressing makes this PERFECT for your turkey, ham, and pulled pork.
I made this because I was smoking a pork butt with cranberry bbq sauce and wanted a lighter slaw to accompany it.
Grab Your Ingredients
What I love about recipes like this is that most of these ingredients we all either have on hand OR they are right in your local grocery store.
- Coleslaw Mix – You can shred your cabbages but this is Q4 and I’m swamped so it’s all about easy, peasy
- Onions – I love both shallots and leeks in this recipe
- Dried Cranberries
- Toasted Pecans
- Sweet Creamy Maple Mayo Dressing
Mix It Up
So when I make coleslaw I like to mix up my ‘dry’ ingredients before I add the dressing (which you also have to whisk together).
Make The Dressing
- In a bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients, taste for seasonings, and set aside. It should be sweet with a hint of tang from the acid.
Mix The Slaw Ingredients
- In a large bowl, add the slaw mix, shredded carrot, shallot, leeks, cranberries, and pecans. Give it a mix to combine.
- Just like in the video, give the dressing a few more whisks then pour this overtop of the slaw. Mix to evenly coat the slaw mix. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Let’s Eat!
As I said, I made this to go with the smoked pulled pork BUT the pork wasn’t done yet. So instead I made 2 amazing turkey gouda sandwiches topped with cranberry relish for us and served the slaw on the side.
I was a bit worried as Mr. Fantabulous tends to like his slaw with a lot of zing/vinegar and this is more on the sweeter side. After 3 bites I asked him his thoughts to which he just put up his finger telling me to hold on and proceeded to devour his cup of it.
Your Holiday Slaw!
He said, “Wow honey, this is so good! It’s sweet but not too much. I LOVE that light creaminess of it. Seriously, don’t change a single thing!”
Well okay then, you heard it first folks…we’re not changing a thing!
How To Serve Cranberry Pecan Slaw
I kind of just want to say “with a fork” because it’s so good! I just made another batch before writing up this post because we are obsessed with it. Some of my favorite serving suggestions are:
- Pulled Meat Sandwich – Pair this with BBQ pulled pork, chicken, or beef
- Seafood – This is great served with fish sticks, on a shrimp burger, or with salmon
- Pork Tenderloin
- Side Dish
- Salad – top it with cooked chicken or shrimp to make it an entree!
Recipe Substitutions and Additions
I seriously love this part of my posts. If you’re like me, you love the recipe as-is but then eventually you want to mix it up at times. That’s honestly how I keep recipes fresh here. Small tweaks are the key to my never getting bored with a dish.
- Veggies – toss in small chopped bell peppers (red or orange), green onions, chopped radicchio
- Nuts – you can omit or swamp in toasted walnuts or almond slivers. Pistachios are CRAZY good in this!
- Dried Cranberries – it’s kind of the whole purpose of the recipe but you can use raisins or dried demon seeds (cherries) if you wanted
The Best Cranberry Pecan Coleslaw With Creamy Maple Dressing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: salad, side dishes, gluten-free, salads, football foods
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: salad, side dishes, gluten-free, salads, football foods
A combination of tart dried cranberries, crispy pecans & crisp coleslaw coated the most amazing creamy sweet maple dressing. The perfect cooler weather coleslaw to pair with your holiday meats!
Ingredients
Coleslaw
- 1 16-ounce bag of shredded coleslaw mix
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1/3 cup sliced leeks, thin rounds
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans
Creamy Sweet Maple Mayo Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 3 Tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk together the dressing ingredients, taste for seasonings and set aside. It should be sweet with a hint of tang from the acid.
- In a large bowl, add the slaw mix, shredded carrot, shallot, leeks, cranberries, and pecans. Give it a mix to combine.
- Give the dressing a few more whisks then pour this overtop of the slaw. Mix to evenly coat the slaw mix. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Mix again before serving.
Keywords: The Best Cranberry Pecan Coleslaw With Creamy Maple Dressing, thanksgiving coleslaw, sweet maple dressing, fall coleslaw, cranberry cabbage slaw, coleslaw recipe with cranberries, cranberry maple coleslaw, coleslaw with cranberries and pecans
The crunchy coleslaw, creamy dressing, sweet cranberries, and smoky bacon come together for a dish that is a flavor powerhouse.
★★★★★
Thank you so much Sharon!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Can you believe that I have never made coleslaw at home before? This needs to change! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I am sure to try it out 🙂
★★★★★
I’m sure you’ll love this! Definitely give it a try!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This recipe takes good old coleslaw and elevates to holiday table status. It will be on mine! Thank you!
★★★★★
Thank you so much Colleen!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
A delicious twist on the traditional cole slaw and so delicious for the holidays!
★★★★★
Thank you Gwynn!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This coleslaw is next level delicious – the combination of maple mayo dressing and the textures from the veggies and pecans is wonderful. A treat to have on our holiday table.
★★★★★
I really appreciate all of your kind words Alexandra! Happy Holidays!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This cranberry pecan coleslaw salad only took me about 10 minutes to make it. It is super easy and turns out delicious! Everyone loved it; thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
So happy you and everyone loved it Yu! Thank you!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I have similar coleslaw with raisins and pineapple. This year I’m making your on Thanksgiving!
★★★★★
That’s so awesome to hear; thank you! I’m loving the pineapple idea!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This fall inspired coleslaw is simply amazing, perfect with mains or can be enjoyed as a healthy snack too.
★★★★★
Thank you so much Hayley!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I love how easy this slaw looks, and the dressing is so perfect for fall with the touch of maple!
★★★★★
I appreciate the kind words Susan!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
This is a combination I would have never thought of and man it sounds so good!
★★★★★
It’s so unexpected; isn’t it?! So happy you loved it!
Best Kitchen Wishes!