Gluten Free Salads

Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing

This easy apple slaw with poppyseed dressing is a quick side dish salad recipe! The healthy cabbage coleslaw includes sweet apples and a tangy dressing with apple cider vinegar. This is the best creamy salad to use with pork, tacos or on it's own.

This Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing is a crunchy, sweet-and-tangy twist on classic coleslaw that pairs perfectly with pulled pork or fish tacos.

The blend of cabbage and apples creates a zesty salad that's refreshing and vibrant, making it an ideal autumn side dish or light lunch.

Simple to prepare yet full of flavor, this apple cabbage slaw recipe is a healthy and versatile option for weeknight meals or seasonal gatherings.

If you are looking for more apple recipes you might also enjoy my Gluten Free Air Fryer Apple Fritters, this Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole, my Gluten Free Apple Almond Cake, these Gluten Free Apple Spice Cookies or my classic Gluten Free Apple Crisp recipes.

You can find all of my salad recipes here: Gluten Free Salad Recipes

a white serving bowl of easy apple slaw with poppyseed dressing next to a red apple.

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Ingredients

Instructions

In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, poppyseeds, honey, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.

In a large serving bowl add the coleslaw mix, thinly sliced green onions and julienned apple. Pour the dressing mixture over top. Stir to coat the salad.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and serve cold.

Hint: This creamy coleslaw salad gets better the longer it marinates in the dressing! I like to make this salad the day before and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Substitutions

Cabbage - instead of bags of coleslaw mix you can use finely chopped cabbage
Maple Syrup - you can replace the honey with maple syrup or use a mixture of both
Shallots - the green onions can be replaced with one finely diced shallot

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Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing

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Author: Elaine VanVleck
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing:

Salad:

2 - 16 ounce bags Coleslaw Mix
5 Green Onions, finely chopped
2 cups Sweet Apples, cored, peeled and julienned

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Instructions

In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, poppyseeds, honey, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.

In a large serving bowl add the coleslaw mix, thinly sliced green onions and julienned apple. Pour the dressing mixture over top. Stir to coat the salad.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and serve cold.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish, Salads
Method: Chopped
Cuisine: Gluten Free

Storage

Store this easy apple slaw in an air tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to stir before serving to mix the salad and dressing again.

I think this creamy salad gets better the next day after it has had time to marinate in the poppyseed dressing!

FAQ

What should I serve with apple slaw?

This easy apple slaw with poppyseed dressing is perfect with pulled pork, on tacos or as a side dish at a barbecue. It is a super versatile recipe that is quick to make.

What is apple slaw made of?

This apple slaw salad uses bags of coleslaw mix, thinly sliced green onions, julienned sweet apples and a homemade creamy poppyseed dressing. It's a quick and easy side dish for weeknight meals!

Cucumber Salad with Vinegar Dressing

When cucumbers are coming in from the garden or piled high at the farmers market, this is the first recipe I make. This Cucumber Salad with Vinegar Dressing is one of those simple side dishes that tastes far better than its short ingredient list suggests. Thinly sliced cucumbers and sweet onion are tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing made with olive oil and fresh garlic, then left to marinate until cold and flavorful.

It is crisp, refreshing, and the kind of salad that goes with almost everything.

a white bowl of cucumber salad with vinegar dressing next to fresh cucumbers and a small wooden bowl of coarse ground black pepper.

What makes this version stand apart from other cucumber vinegar salads is the garlic and olive oil in the dressing.

Most recipes skip both, but the garlic adds a savory depth and the olive oil gives the dressing a richness that makes every bite feel more satisfying.

I serve this salad all summer long alongside grilled chicken, burgers, tacos, and barbecued ribs. Make it in the morning and let it chill all day for the best flavor.

If you are looking for more cold salads you may also enjoy my Watermelon Cucumber and Feta Salad, this Seven Layer Salad, my Gluten Free BLT Pasta Salad or this Thai Style Cabbage Salad recipes.

You can find all of my salad recipes here: Gluten Free Salad Recipes

a white bowl of cucumber salad with vinegar dressing next to fresh cucumbers.

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Which Cucumbers Work Best

Not all cucumbers are created equal for this recipe. Here is a quick guide to help you choose.

English cucumbers are my top pick. They have thin skin, small seeds, and a mild flavor. No peeling required.
Persian cucumbers are a close second. They are smaller and slightly crunchier than English cucumbers. They work beautifully sliced thin.
Mini cucumbers are a great option too. They have thin skin and almost no seeds. Slice them into coins for a fun presentation.
Garden cucumbers work well but have thicker skin and larger seeds. Peel them first and scoop out the seeds with a spoon before slicing for the best texture.

Which Vinegar Should You Use

Apple cider vinegar is my first choice for this salad. It has a mild tang and a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the garlic and olive oil dressing. Here is how other vinegars compare if you want to experiment.

White vinegar is sharper and more acidic. It gives the salad a more pungent pickle like flavor.
White wine vinegar is lighter and slightly fruity. It makes a more delicate dressing.
Red wine vinegar is bold and tangy. It adds a deeper flavor and gives the dressing a slight pink tint.
Rice vinegar is the mildest option. It is slightly sweet and makes a very gentle dressing.

How to Prevent a Watery Salad

Cucumbers release a lot of water as they sit. This is completely normal but can make the dressing watery over time. Here is how to prevent it.

Before adding the dressing, spread the sliced cucumbers in a single layer on a paper towel lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes. The salt draws out the excess moisture. Pat them dry with paper towels before adding them to the bowl and tossing with the dressing.

This keeps the salad crisp and the dressing flavorful even after a few hours in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

This cucumber salad goes with just about everything. Here are some of my favorite pairings.

With grilled chicken. The cool and tangy salad is the perfect contrast to warm and smoky grilled chicken.
With burgers. Serve it alongside your favorite gluten free burgers as a refreshing alternative to a heavier side dish.
With tacos. This salad pairs beautifully with taco night. It adds a crisp and cool element that balances bold taco flavors.
With barbecued ribs or pulled pork. The tangy vinegar dressing cuts right through the richness of slow cooked BBQ.
At a cookout or potluck. This salad travels well and holds up in the refrigerator for hours. It is always a welcome addition to any summer spread.
With grilled hot dogs or brats. A simple and refreshing side that rounds out a classic summer meal.

Substitutions

Red Onion - if you can't get a sweet onion this salad is also delicious using red onion
Mini Cucumbers - this salad is also delicious using thinly sliced mini cucumbers
Avocado Oil - you can substitute avocado oil for the olive oil in this recipe

Variations

Spicy - add a pinch of chili pepper flakes for a bit of spice
Creamy - add ½ cup mayonnaise to make a creamy version of this salad
Tomato - add cherry tomatoes cut in half for more veggies

I love all the fresh cucumbers available in the garden, grocery and farmer's market right now! This salad is a great use for fresh cucumbers and sweet onions.

Storage

Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir the salad before serving to coat with dressing.

Top tip

Use a mandoline slicer if you have one to get perfectly thin and even cucumber slices that absorb the vinegar dressing beautifully and create the most consistent texture throughout the salad. If you do not have a mandoline a sharp knife works great too. Just try to slice as thinly and evenly as possible. The thinner the slices the more dressing they will absorb and the more flavorful your salad will be after chilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much vinegar do you put in a cucumber salad?

I use a combination of 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar then add the seasoning for even more flavor.

Can I use a different vinegar?

Yes. Apple cider vinegar is my recommendation for the best flavor, but white vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, and rice vinegar all work. Each one changes the flavor slightly. White vinegar is sharper, rice vinegar is milder, and red wine vinegar is the boldest of the group.

How long do cucumbers in vinegar last in the refrigerator?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The cucumbers will soften slightly over time. Stir before serving and drain off any excess liquid that has accumulated.

Can I make this cucumber salad ahead of time?

Yes and I actually recommend it! This cucumber salad gets more flavorful the longer it sits in the refrigerator as the cucumbers absorb the tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. Make it at least an hour before serving and ideally a few hours ahead or even the night before for the best flavor. Give it a good stir before serving as the dressing will settle to the bottom as it sits.

Why is my cucumber salad watery?

Cucumbers release water naturally as they sit in the dressing. To prevent this, salt your sliced cucumbers and let them rest for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the dressing. Pat them dry with paper towels first. This removes excess moisture and keeps the salad crisp.

Can I add other vegetables to this salad?

Absolutely. Cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced bell peppers, and fresh dill are all great additions. A handful of fresh herbs like parsley or chives also works well and adds a bright finish.

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