Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

This apple pear slaw with caramel cider vinaigrette is easy and perfect for fall. If you don’t like mayo, this crunchy, sweet, and savory salad is for you!

This delicious apple pear slaw is a wholesome salad served with caramel cider vinaigrette, a healthy alternative to mayonnaise.

The caramel vinaigrette brings a certain sharpness to this savory-sweet salad. And the fruits – apples, pears, dried cranberries, and raisins – balance it out with a sweet after-taste.

Serve this salad with just about anything; pita bread, turkey, barbecue pulled pork, you name it!

I’ll be honest; salads and slaws are not my go-to dishes. But when I do have them, crunchy salads are a must (I can’t stand anything mildly soggy).

That said, I transform into the Simon Cowell of gastronomy when picking my ingredients for a salad. It’s a salad bowl, not a garburator. 😅

I also have my moments with coleslaw. I like coleslaw, but like salad, coleslaw is not my favorite. When it is served as a side dish at a restaurant, I’ll eat it. But when given a selection of side dishes to choose from, you can bet money that it would not be my first choice.

What Is Apple Pear Slaw?

This crunchy apple pear slaw is a salad made from apple and pear matchsticks, dried cranberries, raisins, and cinnamon tossed in a sweet-savory caramel cider vinaigrette.

If you can’t stand the blobby texture of mayonnaise, you’ll love this apple pear slaw recipe. And what makes a fantastic substitute for mayonnaise?

Vinaigrette!

Not plain old vinegar. The overwhelmingly pungent smell might make you lose your appetite. But when used in the right amount and combination – can do wonders. I guess we have 19th-century French cuisine to thank for inventing the ultimate salad dressing – vinaigrette.

A homemade vinaigrette is like discovering a new planet every day; once you get the base handled, you can season it with just about anything.

The trick, though, is to use the correct ratio of vinegar and oil to knock down the acidity of the vinegar. For that, the perfect rule of thumb is one unit of vinegar versus two units of olive oil.

It’s hard to go wrong with apple cider vinegar. So, that is what we are using for this vinaigrette.

To round out the vinaigrette, salt and pepper are essential. For a sweet and caramelized taste, amp up the vinaigrette with extra apple cider, cinnamon, and the game-changing ingredient: caramel sauce to give it a nice flavor and bright color.

All that’s left for you to do is mix the ingredients with the slaw, and you’re ready to chow down this yummy apple pear slaw!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you want a delicious salad for your next fall gathering, you’re in luck because this apple pear slaw recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s also effortless to make.

Here’s why this slaw and vinaigrette will be your next favorite sweet-savory fruit salad:

• Simple But Yummy: This apple pear slaw with caramel cider vinaigrette is quick and simple to make. The only part that will take some time is slicing the fruits, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll be a breeze!
• Perfect for Fall: Crunchy apples and pears plus a caramel cider dressing that’s not as gross as mayonnaise? Sign me up! It’s a well-rounded harmony of flavors with a touch of cinnamon for the ultimate fall salad that everyone will love.
• Versatile Salad Recipe: This apple pear slaw is customizable and adaptable! You can experiment with other flavors and textures to add and pair with this salad.

What Does Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette Taste Like?

When I described this apple pear slaw as heavenly, I’m not exaggerating. It’s fresh, crunchy, savory, sweet, and tastes like fall. Yes, I think this salad tastes like the cozy autumn season.

A bowl of this apple pear slaw features fall’s harvest with its apples, pears, cinnamon, cranberries, and raisins. But the real star of this tasty mix is the caramel cider vinaigrette.

It’s like caramel apples meet classic slaw to form an unbelievably tasty marriage of sweet, tart, and savory. You’ll want to go on a fall picnic once you take your first spoonful of this slaw.

Oh, and of course, it’s a slaw without mayonnaise, which I think wins a lot of fans instantly!

Is Apple Pear Slaw Healthy?

Let’s take a look at the ingredients because this slaw is a healthy salad you shouldn’t miss if you’re looking for something delicious but also nourishing.

First, we have fresh apples and pear slices. Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, so the phrase saying that having one a day keeps a doctor away may actually be a valid statement. 😉

Pears are also rich in antioxidants and important minerals like potassium and copper!

But this delicious slaw’s health benefits do not stop at the slaw because our sweet-savory mayo substitute is made with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and cinnamon.

Did you know that ACV can help control cholesterol, while olive oil may lower the risk of heart disease? And as for our fall-favorite spice, cinnamon, it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties!

Now, I’m not claiming that this salad is a guaranteed way to protect you from diseases. Instead, these health benefits should easily convince you that when it comes to side dishes, nothing beats a wholesome bowl of salad.

What Are The Benefits Of This Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette Recipe?

The best thing about this apple pear slaw recipe is how easy it is! I mean, it’s expected for a slaw to be a simple dish since it’s essentially just a salad, but it’s an easy win in my book if something so tasty is easy to whip up.

You might also be rolling your eyes with slaw recipes claiming they’re crowd-pleasing, only to finally taste them and realize they’re hyped up. Well, this apple pear slaw with caramel cider vinaigrette will change your mind about slaw!

It’s sweet, savory, and crunchy and will pair well with a lot of dishes. Using caramel on the vinaigrette is just genius because the sweetness balances the tart and savory flavors.

If you find mayo gross and have been avoiding slaw because of it, this is the recipe for you!

Did I mention that this apple pear slaw also features cinnamon beautifully? Try this dish for yourself and see why I think it’s perfect for fall.

Ingredients For Apple Pear Slaw and Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

FOR THE CARAMEL CIDER VINAIGRETTE

• Caramel sauce – This secret ingredient is what sets our apple pear slaw apart from other recipes! You’ll be surprised how its sweetness complements the crisp, fresh, and tart apple pear slaw.
• Apple cider – Besides apple cider vinegar, we’ll also put apple cider on our vinaigrette. The unmistakable tanginess will instantly remind you of fall!
• Apple cider vinegar – Sweet, sour, and the perfect base of our vinaigrette for fresh apples and pears.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Of course, this vinaigrette will be incomplete without olive oil!
• Kosher salt – To make the overall flavor of the caramel cider vinaigrette more well-rounded and balanced.
• Freshly cracked black pepper – The sharp flavor completes the taste of this sweet and savory vinaigrette.
• Ground cinnamon – Not only does it make a more aromatic slaw, but cinnamon pairs deliciously with the sweetness of this caramel cider vinaigrette.

FOR THE SLAW

• Gala apples – You can use any apples you want, but you can never go wrong with gala apples and fuji apples.
• Fuji apples – While gala apples taste sweet with a floral aroma, fuji apples offer a tartness that I’m sure you’ll love, especially in this crisp and fresh apple pear slaw.
• Bartlett pears – Juicy Bartlett pears will accompany our apples for this slaw.
• Dried cranberries – We’ll also finish this fall fruit salad with some dried cranberries.
• Golden raisins – We’ll add golden raisins to our apple pear slaw for texture and flavor variety. I want to emphasize that we’re using sweet golden raisins, not the regular darker ones that taste nutty.
• Ground cinnamon – We’ll put cinnamon both on the slaw and vinaigrette.

Tools Needed To Prepare Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

• Mixing bowl for mixing the ingredients
• Whisk for incorporating everything together
• Lidded jar for storing the vinaigrette
• Knife for slicing the fruits

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

Mustard

One of my favorite things about salads is how versatile and customizable they are. For this apple pear slaw, you can balance the sweetness with more tanginess using mustard!

Dill

Dill is another tasty addition to this apple pear slaw recipe. Just mince and put it on the vinaigrette to give it a hint of bitterness.

Cucumber

This caramel cider vinaigrette is perfect for other fresh and crunchy salad additions. Try it with cucumber slices, carrots, or even cabbage!

How to Make Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

FOR THE CARAMEL CIDER VINAIGRETTE

• 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons apple cider
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

FOR THE SLAW

• 2 medium gala apples, cut into long matchsticks
• 2 medium fuji apples, cut into long matchsticks
• 2 bartlett pears, cut into long matchsticks
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Tools you need:

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Lidded jar
• Knife

Instructions:

CARAMEL CIDER VINAIGRETTE

STEP 1: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bow or a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature, this will ensure they combine well.

STEP 2: Whisk together all the ingredients. Alternatively, screw the lid onto the jar tightly, and shake the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds to combine and emulsify the dressing. Most, if not all, of the caramel should fully incorporate into the dressing. It’s okay if you see a bit of solid dressing stuck to the bottom of the jar.

STEP 3: The vinaigrette will keep stored in the jar in the fridge for about 2 weeks. You’ll just want to let it come to room temperature and give it a good shake before using it again.

ASSEMBLING THE SLAW

STEP 1: Combine the sliced apples, sliced apples, cranberries, and golden raisins in a bowl. 313

STEP 2: Add about 1/4 cup of the caramel cider vinaigrette and the ground cinnamon. Gently toss the slaw to coat it in the dressing.

STEP 3: Allow the slaw to sit covered in the fridge for about an hour before re-tossing and serving.

STEP 4: The slaw will keep covered in the fridge for up to three days.

What To Serve With This Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette Recipe

The beauty of this apple pear slaw with caramel cider vinaigrette is you can serve it as an appetizer to meat dishes like pork chops or pair it with as the side to burgers to cut through the richness of the protein dishes.

Because this coleslaw uses a vinaigrette and not mayonnaise, it wouldn’t be overwhelming even with fatty dishes. Instead, the sweet-savory-tart flavor just complements the meal deliciously. 😋

You can even just eat this apple pear slaw on its own if you’re craving something crunchy. Maybe it’s a better substitute than French fries?

If you want something new for your main, try our savory recipes to serve with this apple pear slaw and caramel cider vinaigrette.

I think you’ll love our ridiculously easy puff pastry breakfast pizza or our Big Mac smash tacos instead of going to a fast food drive-thru!

Tips About Making Apple Pear Slaw and Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

Here are some additional tips for making this apple pear slaw at home:

• It’s actually easy to cut the apples and pears into matchsticks. The secret is removing the core first and working the remaining slices, as seen in this technique.
• Besides cucumbers, carrots, and cabbage, you can also add walnuts or poppy seeds to this apple pear slaw.
• You can keep this apple pear slaw in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, expect that the fruits will not be as crunchy as when the slaw is freshly made.

How To Store Apple Pear Slaw with Caramel Cider Vinaigrette

Storing the Vinaigrette

You can transfer your caramel cider vinaigrette to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I suggest making this dressing a week in advance so the flavors have fused completely into the vinaigrette. 🤤

When you’re about to use the vinaigrette, don’t forget to bring it to room temperature first so it’s easier to incorporate into the slaw.

You might notice the caramel sauce collecting at the bottom, but don’t worry; this is expected for an emulsion.

Just shake the jar well, and your dressing is ready to use!

Storing the Apple Pear Slaw

Place your apple pear slaw in a secured container, and it should keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Three days are the perfect storage duration so your fruits won’t get too mushy and soggy.

I don’t recommend freezing your apple pear slaw for the best texture.

How To Make A Caramel Sauce At Home

Why not make your own caramel sauce while you are at it?

It is a simple additional step with only three ingredients – white sugar, salted butter, and heavy whipping cream.

Just melt the sugar in a saucier pan for about 10 minutes on medium-high heat. Then, add butter and whisk to combine.

Finally, pour in the whipping cream gradually and whisk until the caramel starts to reduce.

You can store this homemade caramel sauce in a lidded jar and refrigerate it for up to two weeks!

What Is The Difference Between Cole Slaw And Slaw?

The difference between slaw and cole slaw varies from place to place. Coleslaw comes from the Dutch words “kool” and “sla” meaning “cabbage” and “salad.”

Over time, cole slaw becomes cold slaw because of its temperature when served, and then it becomes slaugh or just slaw where it’s understood that it’s a salad.

Some would say that adding “cole” to slaw automatically means it’s a cabbage salad, so if you’re not using cabbage like in this apple pear salad, then it’s technically more correct to call it apple pear slaw and not apple pear cole slaw.

FAQ About Apple Slaw

Conclusion

If you are feeling biased towards coleslaw, this apple pear slaw with a caramel cider vinaigrette will change your mind.

It is the perfect blend of savory and sweet with a tangy undertone that will leave you out of words. 😋

Using caramel on the dressing works perfectly with the tartness of the vinaigrette, and the cinnamon, together with the crisp mix of apples and pears, just makes this salad the ultimate slaw for fall.

If you’re looking for more recipes like this, you’ll love these:

• Hot Girl Summer Salad (Viral TikTok Recipe)
• Nigerian Salad Recipe
• Asian Cucumber Salad TikTok Recipe
• Easy Kumquat Poppyseed Vinaigrette Recipe
• Quick & Easy Homemade Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche