Crunchy Red Cabbage Apple Slaw with Tahini
5 from 1 vote

Nothing beats a great slaw recipe, and this crunchy red cabbage apple slaw is so unique! It features a tahini-based dressing, rather than vinaigrette or mayonnaise. The slaw also has shelled hemp hearts for protein and texture.

An overhead image of a crunchy slaw of apple and red cabbage, which is held in a small white bowl.

Sorry to be a little quiet in the last few days; I had a big genetics exam this morning. In spite of being busy with studying, I did spend a little time in the kitchen over the weekend, and this tangy, seasonal, crunchy red cabbage and green apple sesame slaw was one of the highlights. It’s a perfect, easy side dish for fall.

A small bowl holds a crispy vegetable slaw, topped with hemp hearts. It's resting on a plain white surface.

Certain recipes are just no brainers–we take a peek at the ingredients and think “of course I’ll love that.” For me, most recipes that include…

  • raw kale and/or cabbage
  • squash
  • sweet potatoes
  • chickpeas
  • lentils
  • carrots
  • beets
  • tahini
  • quinoa
  • hempseeds
  • nutritional yeast
  • apples
  • bananas

…or a combination of any of those things, is likely to win me over quickly. So it came as little surprise to me that this simple and colorful slaw, which features tart granny smith apple and crunchy red cabbage, was an instant hit.

Cabbage is a perennial favorite of mine: it’s inexpensive, easy to find locally, and full of healthful phytonutrients.  My favorite way to enjoy cabbage is raw, shredded thin, and crispy. When it comes together with tart apples, a sweet, salty sesame tahini dressing, and a lot of nutrient dense hemp seeds, the result is quick and easy magic.

An apple cabbage slaw with tahini has been placed in a small, round white bowl. It rests against a white backdrop.
An overhead image of a crunchy slaw of apple and red cabbage, which is held in a small white bowl.
5 from 1 vote

Crunchy Red Cabbage Apple Slaw with Tahini

Author – Gena Hamshaw
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the sesame dressing

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the slaw

  • 4 cups packed, thinly sliced or shredded red cabbage (200g)
  • 1 large or two small apples (I recommend Granny Smith), peeled and julienned (150g)
  • 3 tablespoons hemp hearts

Instructions

  • Whisk dressing ingredients together and set aside.
  • Dress the shredded vegetables and hemp seeds with dressing; you can use as much as you like, but make sure you coat everything well! Serve.
A white, rimmed bowl holds a mix of red cabbage, hemp seeds, and apple. It rests on a white surface.

The salad is simple and absolutely delicious in its own right, but to make it more complete as a meal, you can add chickpeas!

I hope you all enjoy this quick, easy, dish.

Emerging from a marathon weekend of studying always feels a bit like waking up after a dream (a not particularly nice dream). I’m happy that you all were so excited about treats and tonics from Gouter on Friday, and look forward to sharing a couple of tasty recipes this week—especially a new and improved recipe for vegan Thanksgiving stuffing. Till tomorrow!

xo

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Categories: Salads, Side Dishes
Ingredients: Cabbage
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, Raw, Soy Free, Vegan
Recipe Features: 30 Minute or Less, Meal Prep, Quick & Easy

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    26 Comments
  1. I made this last night for a function today, was out if hemp seeds, so instead used sunflower and white sesame seeds. One word sums up this slaw…. YUM!!!! It is SO good! The dressing is fabulous!! My new fave raw vegan slaw for sure!!!

  2. Enjoyed this for lunch today! The sesame taste was strong from the oil, which I rather liked. I would only use one teaspoon sweetener next time as it was a bit too sweet for me. I liked this slaw but I do prefer some of the other slaw recipes you’ve posted over this one.

  3. I love slaw, but have never made my own. This looks like a great recipe to start with – plus it features my absolute favourite apple!

  4. You never can have too many cabbage salad recipes! I have several and love them all (and make them all); I’ll be adding this one to the collection 🙂

  5. Hooray for cabbage and apples! I like to make a slaw like this with a lemon juice dressing and toasted sesame seeds. This version sounds fantastic as well!

  6. One of the things I love about so many of your recipes is the marriage of sweet and savory – something I also adore. Hope to try a variation on this very soon.

  7. What a great recipe! My husband LOVES slaw, and I am always looking for new ways of doing it – sans veganaise, please! – and this one looks delicious. Thanks missy!

  8. My favorite food list looks very similar to yours… don’t forget balsamic vinegar! 🙂 I made a fabulous warm cabbage and apple salad with balsamic and rosemary that I will share later this week. Great minds think alike. One can never have too many cabbage recipes. I sometimes wonder if I am growing cabbages because they never seem to disappear! 🙂

  9. I can’t believe you have just made me crave red cabbage! This salad looks so refreshing and delicious. All I’ve wanted these days is warm comfort food in the midst of our winter weather, but I’m gonna need to make this salad now!

  10. This is great! I’m always looking for more ways get enjoy raw veggies in the winter time and I love me a good slaw! I also happen to have a bunch of cabbage waiting to be consumed in more than a soup. May your academics treat you well and vice versa!

  11. This looks so delicious! And perfect too, I was trying to think of something to do with the half of a head of cabbage in the fridge!

  12. This sounds awesome and such a unique recipe to take to a BBQ or a gathering.
    I’ll be making this one for sure!
    I can’t get hemp seeds in my local area but I’m sure it will taste just as good!