Shaved Cabbage Apple Walnut Salad (Printable)
Thinly shaved cabbage and apple with toasted walnuts and a zesty Dijon vinaigrette — crisp, quick, and flavorful.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables & Fruit
01 - 1/2 medium green cabbage (about 14 ounces), very thinly sliced
02 - 1 large red apple (such as Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced
03 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small handful fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped
→ Nuts & Seeds
05 - 3/4 cup walnut halves, roughly chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (optional)
→ Cheese (optional)
07 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
10 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place the shaved green cabbage, sliced apple, green onions, and chopped parsley in a large salad bowl.
02 - Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Toast walnut halves and pumpkin seeds, if using, for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and season with salt and pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad base. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Scatter toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds over the salad. Sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese, if desired.
06 - Serve immediately to maintain optimal crispness.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This is the kind of salad that stays crisp and vibrant—even if you get distracted mid-lunch.
- The combo of sweet apple and tangy mustard dressing made me crave vegetables in a whole new way.
02 -
- If you slice the cabbage too thick, it won't absorb the dressing and the salad will feel heavy.
- Toasting the nuts really matters—they go from bland to unforgettable with just a couple minutes in the pan.
03 -
- Chill the bowl and ingredients for an extra-refreshing crunch on warm days.
- Whisk the dressing right in a jar and shake it up with the lid—less mess, more flavor.