Crunchy Coleslaw Salad (Printable format)

Crisp cabbage and carrots tossed in creamy dressing with crunchy sunflower seeds for a refreshing side dish.

# List of ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups finely shredded green cabbage
02 - 2 cups finely shredded red cabbage
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, unsalted sunflower seeds

# How to make it:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, grated carrots, and sliced green onions.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Just before serving, sprinkle the roasted sunflower seeds over the salad, reserving some for garnish if preferred.
05 - Serve immediately for optimal crunchiness, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and soften texture slightly.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in about fifteen minutes, no cooking required, just sharp knife skills and a good arm for tossing.
  • The contrast between creamy dressing and crunchy seeds keeps things interesting in every bite.
  • It pairs beautifully with almost anything grilled, but honestly stands perfectly fine on its own as lunch.
02 -
  • The sunflower seeds absolutely must go in at the very last moment—add them early and they'll absorb moisture and turn soggy, defeating the entire purpose.
  • Don't skip the celery seed, even if you're not sure what it does—it's the quiet ingredient that makes people ask for the recipe.
03 -
  • Keep your vegetables cold before assembling the salad, and chill the dressing bowl too—temperature helps maintain crunch longer than anything else.
  • If you make this ahead and it gets watery, don't panic; just pour off the excess liquid and stir in a spoonful of fresh mayonnaise to freshen it up.
Return