Crunchy Coleslaw Salad (Printable)

A vibrant blend of shredded cabbage and carrots tossed with creamy dressing and sunflower seeds.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
02 - 2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded
03 - 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
04 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

05 - 2/3 cup mayonnaise
06 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
08 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
09 - 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

11 - 1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds, unsalted

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions thoroughly.
02 - Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a separate small bowl until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss well to coat evenly.
04 - Sprinkle the roasted sunflower seeds over the salad just before serving, reserving some for garnish if desired.
05 - Serve immediately to retain maximum crunch or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for a softer texture.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It stays genuinely crunchy for hours, even when the dressing is already on it.
  • The creamy-tangy balance makes it taste like comfort food that happens to be vegetables.
  • It comes together in 15 minutes but tastes like you spent way more effort than you did.
  • Works alongside literally anything grilled, smoked, or sandwich-based without fighting for attention.
02 -
  • Don't mix in the sunflower seeds until the moment you serve it, or they'll soften and lose that satisfying crunch that makes this slaw special.
  • If you prep this hours ahead for a party, hold back the dressing and add it 30 minutes before guests arrive—the vegetables will release water and dilute everything if they sit too long.
  • Taste the dressing before you commit it to the slaw; this is your only easy chance to adjust the balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet.
03 -
  • Use a box grater or mandoline for your vegetables and the whole thing comes together so fast you'll wonder why you ever bought bagged coleslaw.
  • Keep your sunflower seeds in a sealed container and add them only at service time—this is the difference between a memorable coleslaw and a sad, soggy heap of regret.
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