Crunchy Apple Macadamia Cranberry Salad

Crunchy Apple Macadamia Cranberry Salad with Red Cabbage and Cashews

This Crunchy Apple Macadamia Cranberry Salad brings together crisp red cabbage, tart green apples, crunchy macadamias and cashews with sweet dried cranberries and raisins. This easy red cabbage salad has plenty of texture and a tangy creamy dressing that makes it a colourful side dish for family meals, potlucks and gatherings.

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Why you will love and enjoy this Crunchy Apple Macadamia Cranberry Salad

• It’s all about the crunch. Red cabbage, apples, macadamias, cashews and sunflower seeds give every bite plenty of texture.
• The sweet and savoury mix works beautifully. Tart green apples and dried cranberries balance the salty cashews and tangy dressing.
• You can make it your own. Adjust the nuts, dried fruit and dressing to suit what you have in the pantry.
• It’s quick to throw together. No cooking is needed, so it’s an easy side dish when you’re feeding a crowd.

Additional Information

• Can this be frozen? No, I wouldn’t recommend freezing this salad. The red cabbage, apples, and creamy dressing will lose their fresh texture once thawed, and the nuts and seeds can become soft. It’s definitely best made fresh.
• How long can it be stored and how? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The salad will still be perfectly edible, but it won’t be quite as crisp as when freshly made. If you know you’ll have leftovers, keep the dressing separate and mix it through just before serving.
• Can I prepare this salad ahead of time? Yes, but for the best texture, prepare the cabbage, nuts, dried fruit and seeds ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Chop the apples and add the dressing closer to serving time so the apples stay fresher and the cabbage remains crunchy.
• What if the salad tastes too sweet? Add a little more tangy mayonnaise or a small splash of lemon juice to balance the sweetness. If you’re using a sweet creamy salad dressing, start with just a small amount.
• What if the salad becomes too wet? Unfortunately, once too much dressing has been mixed through, the cabbage will start losing its crunch. The best fix is to add more sliced or grated red cabbage and a few extra nuts and seeds to bulk it back up. Next time, start with less dressing and add it gradually.

Substitute Suggestions

• Can I use a different type of cabbage? Yes. Green cabbage can be used on its own or mixed with red cabbage. A bag of prepared coleslaw mix can also work if you want to make this salad even quicker.
• What can I use instead of the green apples? Granny Smith apples give you a lovely tart bite, while Golden Delicious apples are a little sweeter. You could also use Pink Lady, Honeycrisp or another firm apple that holds its shape when chopped.
• Can I substitute the nuts? Absolutely. If you don’t have macadamias or cashews, try chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts. If you need a nut-free version, leave out the nuts and add extra sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch.
• Can I substitute the dried fruit? Yes. Dried cranberries and raisins can be swapped for sultanas, chopped dried apricots or chopped dates. You could even use a mixture of dried fruit.
• Can I make the salad without mayonnaise? Yes. You can replace the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination of yogurt and a little lemon juice. The flavour will be different, but you’ll still have a creamy dressing.

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A colourful mix of apples, cranberries, cashews and macadamias with plenty of crunch.

Crunchy Apple Macadamia Cranberry Salad gives every bite something different, from crisp red cabbage and tart green apples to buttery macadamias, salty cashews and sweet dried fruit. The light creamy dressing ties it all together without hiding the fresh crunch, making this colourful salad an easy choice for anyone who wants a side dish that feels fresh, interesting and worth making right away.

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