Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

Looking for a simple salad with lots of crunch and a light, sweet and tangy dressing? This red cabbage salad made with simple, nutrient-dense ingredients should do the trick. It's perfect for every occasion. Make it as a weeknight side, picnic salad or bring it to your next potluck.

Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (1)

You’re going to love the bold taste and satisfying crunch of this red cabbage salad! Tossed with our homemade apple cider vinaigrette, it packs a punch of tangy flavors and is ready in minutes for a company-worthy appetizer or side dish everyone will love.

Contrary to popular belief, cabbage can be used for more than just coleslaw recipes. However, if you’re in the market, I highly recommend trying out my Mediterranean cabbage salad. It actually inspired this red cabbage salad recipe!

Using the inspiration of dressing up picnic staples like Avocado Egg Salad without mayonnaise, this is every bit as easy and delicious as a traditional cole slaw with just a bit of a lighter twist.Turns out you don't need mayo after all!

Featuring gorgeous red cabbage, sweet red apples, and our homemade apple cider vinaigrette, it’s a flavorful winter recipe that will fill you up and leave you feeling energized. Even better, one batch makes enough to feed 6 hungry mouths, and it’s perfect to make ahead of time and pair with all your favorite main courses like baked fish, rack of lamb, or balsamic chicken for a truly unbeatable meal!

Table of Contents
  1. Red Cabbage Salad: Ingredients You’ll Need
  2. How to Make This Picnic Salad
  3. Tips and Tricks
  4. More Amazing Salad Recipes
  5. Try our Greek Honey!
  6. Red Cabbage Salad Recipe
Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (2)

Red Cabbage Salad: Ingredients You’ll Need

This red cabbage picnic salad is made with simple ingredients and a light homemade dressing for an easy recipe that’s out-of-this-world delicious!

  • Red cabbage: Slightly sweeter than other cabbage varieties, red cabbage forms the base of this recipe, creating a showstopping appearance.
  • Shallots: Lends an earthy sweetness with zippy qualities.
  • Walnuts: A staple in the Mediterranean diet, we include walnuts not only for their added crunch but also for their rich flavor and big health benefits. For instance, they’re the only nut rich in essential plant-based omega-3 alpha linolenic acid (ALA). In addition, according to an article published in Harvard Medical School's health journal, their consumption has been linked with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  • Apples: Any kind you like best can be used here to add a sweet flavor and extra crunch.
  • Apple cider vinaigrette: Of course, you could use any dressing have on hand. However, made with ingredients like extra virgin olive oil and honey, our homemade dressing is the perfect complement to the naturally sweet flavor of this dish.

How to Make This Picnic Salad

This red cabbage picnic salad is a breeze to make. With just a few steps of prep work, it’s ready in minutes and tastes gourmet!

  • Prepare the vinaigrette: Follow the steps here to combine all the ingredients for the dressing. Don’t just shake them all out once, or they won’t emulsify!Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (3)
  • Toss the salad: Add the cabbage and shallots to a large mixing bowl, and toss them with half the dressing. Once the cabbage is completely coated, add the apples and walnuts, and toss again. Be sure to taste your salad, and adjust the seasonings as needed! It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it!Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (4)

Tips and Tricks

Just when you thought this red cabbage salad couldn’t be any easier to make, I’m giving you my best tips and tricks for a virtually foolproof recipe!

  • Prevent the Cabbage from Bleeding. If you’ve never worked with red cabbage before, you might be surprised to find your entire salad looks red an hour or two after making it. This is because the cabbage tends to “bleed” due to the water solubility of anthocyanins (color pigments). To prevent this, toss the cabbage with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar before combining it with the rest of the ingredients. Also, refrain from adding the apples until just before serving as they’re likely to turn red first.
  • Keep it Crispy. Make sure to use fresh produce that’s at the peak of its ripeness to ensure a crisp, crunchy texture. Also, note that the longer the salad sits, the soggier it will get. So, for the best results, serve it as soon as you can!
  • Making it Ahead of Time. Although best served right away, this red cabbage salad can be prepared and stored covered in the fridge for a few hours or up to overnight. If you do plan to prepare it in advance, we recommend leaving out the walnuts until just before serving as they’re likely to lose their crunch when left in the salad.
Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (5)

More Amazing Salad Recipes

  • Radicchio Salad
  • Mediterranean-Style Mango Salad Recipe
  • Mediterranean Pomegranate Tomato Salad Recipe
  • Roasted Asparagus Salad with Tomato and Basil

Browse all Mediterranean recipes.

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Try our Greek Honey!

Not all honey is created equal! Our Greek Honey has a deep, rich and complex earthy flavor. Try it for yourself. I know you're gonna love it!

Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (10)

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Red Cabbage Salad

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Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (11)Suzy Karadsheh

Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (12)

This red cabbage salad is a cinch to make and features a homemade apple cider vinaigrette for a sweet and tangy flavor. It's a colorful and satisfying side dish that's perfect for any occasion.

Prep – 15 minutes mins

Total – 15 minutes mins

Cuisine:

American/Mediterranean

Serves – 6

Course:

Salad

Ingredients

For the Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper to taste

For the Salad

  • 1 head of red cabbage, cored and chopped or shredded
  • 2 shallots, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup walnut hearts roughly chopped
  • 2 apples, any kind you like, quartered and thinly sliced or julienned

Instructions

  • Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, and mustard. Whisk to combine, then add the minced garlic. While whisking continuously, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil into the bowl. You should end up with a well emulsified dressing. Season to your taste with kosher salt and black pepper.

  • Make the cabbage salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cabbage and shallots, then pour about half of the vinaigrette over and toss to make sure the cabbage is well coated in the vinaigrette.

  • Add the fruit and nuts: Add the apples and walnuts, then toss again to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. You can save any remaining vinaigrette in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Use over roasted vegetables, salads or chicken.

Video

Notes

  • Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams and spices.
  • Swap it! The color won't be as vibrant but if you have a green cabbage you want to use up go ahead and swap it for the red one in this recipe. It has a milder flavor than red cabbage, but it will be equally delicious.

Nutrition

Calories: 381.5kcalCarbohydrates: 25.9gProtein: 5.4gFat: 31.1gSaturated Fat: 3.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14.9gSodium: 50mgPotassium: 531.1mgFiber: 6gSugar: 15.8gVitamin A: 1598.2IUVitamin C: 83.6mgCalcium: 91.3mgIron: 2mg

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I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
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Red Cabbage Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

FAQs

What does a Mediterranean salad contain? ›

I make my Mediterranean Chopped Salad with simple vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions mixed with chickpeas, feta cheese, and olives and toss it all in an herby, lemony vinaigrette! All you have to do is chop all the ingredients, make the dressing, and then mix everything together right before you serve it.

Can you eat red cabbage raw in a salad? ›

Absolutely! Go raw. Slice it finely for a better texture, it's exactly like eating cole slaw! The cabbage breaks down and softens after it macerates in the vinaigrette.

What is a salad made of cabbage called? ›

Coleslaw (from the Dutch term koolsla meaning 'cabbage salad'), also known as cole slaw, or simply as slaw, is a side dish consisting primarily of finely shredded raw cabbage with a salad dressing or condiment, commonly either vinaigrette or mayonnaise.

What to serve with red cabbage? ›

Salted Red Cabbage

Try this alongside a chicken cutlet, on a turkey sandwich, or thrown into a stir-fry.

What is the difference between a Greek and Mediterranean salad? ›

The primary difference lies in the use of specific ingredients. While both salads incorporate fresh vegetables and olive oil, Greek salad is characterized by the addition of feta cheese and Kalamata olives, giving it a uniquely Greek flavour.

What are the 2 most recognized ingredients in Mediterranean diet? ›

Key ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine include olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains with moderate amounts of wine and red meat.

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

It retains the most nutrients when it's eaten raw but is still highly nutritious when cooked. The flavor becomes a little milder when you cook it. Try these ideas to incorporate cabbage into your diet: Lightly steam it for an easy side dish.

Is red cabbage healthier than lettuce? ›

Which should you choose? If you're looking for the healthier option of the two, choose cabbage. Lettuce varieties such as red leaf lettuce and romaine are also good options. Cabbage, including green and red cabbage, is typically higher in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds than iceberg lettuce.

Is red cabbage healthier than green cabbage? ›

While both green and red cabbage are excellent sources of this potent antioxidant, red cabbage contains significantly more ( 2 , 22 ). One cup (89 g) of chopped red cabbage packs in 56% of the recommended intake for vitamin C, which is the same amount found in a small orange ( 22 , 23 ).

Is it okay to eat cabbage every day? ›

It is important to note that, while it is true that eating cabbage may support weight-management goals, this veggie should not be overconsumed, as too much cabbage can lead to gastrointestinal side effects, like bloating. It is also important to enjoy cabbage as a part of a balanced and healthy diet.

Can you eat cabbage in a salad instead of lettuce? ›

Cabbage is a great all-around vegetable that has many culinary uses. Finely sliced cabbage is a deliciously fresh and crunchy substitute for lettuce. A little bit of Cabbage goes a long way so it is a very economical vegetable.

What is the old name for cabbage? ›

The headed cabbage variety was known to the Greeks as krambe and to the Romans as brassica or olus; the open, leafy variety (kale) was known in Greek as raphanos and in Latin as caulis.

What meat goes best with red cabbage? ›

Sweet and sour red cabbage is a perfect side dish for sausages, pork chops, schnitzel or German pork burgers. This braised cabbage also pairs well with roast chicken, duck, and roast beef.

Why do you soak red cabbage in water? ›

Crisp it up: Shredded cabbage stays perky if it's soaked in cold water. This also helps cut the pungent edge. Drain well before combining with other ingredients.

What reacts with red cabbage? ›

The color of the cabbage indicator will change to red or pink if the solution is an acid and it will change to green or yellow if it is a base. It will remain purple or blue if the test solution is neutral.

What does a Mediterranean menu consist of? ›

It includes plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils as well as seafood and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts. It also includes a moderate amount of chicken, turkey, eggs and fermented dairy, like yogurt or kefir, while limiting red meat, sweets and processed foods.

What are some Mediterranean ingredients? ›

Mediterranean Ingredients: 12 of Our Favorites
  • Olive Oil. Olive oil is the shining star of Mediterranean cuisine, renowned for its rich flavor and numerous health benefits. ...
  • Tomatoes. ...
  • Hummus. ...
  • Feta Cheese. ...
  • Olives. ...
  • Cucumbers. ...
  • Fresh Herbs. ...
  • Whole Grains.

What does Mediterranean food consist of? ›

Thus, the diet refers to the traditional food cultures of the countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon. Staples of the Mediterranean diet include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood, nuts and legumes, and olive oil.

What are the three main components of a Mediterranean diet? ›

You eat mostly veggies, fruits and whole grains. Extra virgin olive oil is the main source of fat.

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