This Crunchy Kale Slaw is the perfect salad for the holidays, a big get together or a weeknight meal. You will love the mixture of kale, radicchio, brussels sprouts and cabbage in this slaw that is tossed with a light lemony dressing, sliced almonds, dried cranberries and Parmesan cheese. 

CRUNCHY KALE SLAW  

I love an easy salad recipe especially slaw recipes. It really is the perfect side dish for meals. 

We love making this Crunchy Kale Slaw, Easy Mango Cabbage Coleslaw, Creamy Coleslaw or this Healthy Coleslaw Recipe. 

I use today’s Crunchy Kale Slaw in so many ways from adding it alongside a main meal like this cozy Slow Cooker Pot Roast to topping this Air Fryer Cod with it in tacos, or to these Slow Cooker Cuban Pork Rice Bowls. 

This kale slaw recipe is a nice twist on classic coleslaw. You really can’t beat a crunchy slaw.

What I love most about today’s coleslaw recipe is the mixture of the kale, cabbage, radicchio and shaved brussels sprouts together.

They create such a nice crunchy slaw that pairs so well with the sweet dried cranberries and sliced almonds. 

It all works so nicely together and is finished off with a light lemony dressing. 

If you want to serve this salad as a main meal you could add chickpeas or white beans, Mediterranean Salmon, Mediterranean Baked Turkey Meatballs or this Greek Lemon Chicken on top the salad.

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN KALE SALAD RECIPE

This salad uses simple ingredients that create a beautiful salad! 

LACINATO KALE LEAVES {OR KALE OF YOUR CHOICE}

SHAVED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

RADICCHIO

RED CABBAGE OR GREEN CABBAGE OR PURPLE CABBAGE

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

LEMON JUICE

AGAVE NECTAR OR HONEY 

SHAVED PARMESAN

DRIED CRANBERRIES

SLICED ALMONDS

HOW TO MAKE COLESLAW

This slaw recipe couldn’t be easier to make. You can put this together in under 15 minutes. It truly is a simple recipe! 

Start by preparing the kale. I like to chiffonade {a preparation of shredded or finely cut leaf vegetables} the kale but you can also use chopped kale.

Then use a mandoline to shave the brussels sprouts, radicchio, and cabbage. Transfer to a large bowl.

In a mason jar mix together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, agave or honey, salt and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the slaw and gently toss.

Taste and season with additional salt and pepper then add in the Parmesan, cranberries, and almonds. Toss well to combine.

MODIFICATIONS FOR THIS KALE SLAW RECIPE

SPICES: Adding spices to this simple salad will take it to the next level. I especially love adding sumac, za’atar, celery seed, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper or paprika. 

DRESSING: I like to use a light lemony dressing for this slaw but there are a lot of great options. Some I like are this  Creamy Dill Sauce, Coleslaw Dressing, Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing or this Honey Mustard Dressing. Also greek yogurt is a nice way to make a healthier creamy dressing. 

If you do use a creamy dressing I would start with half and slowly add more depending on how creamy you want the salad. Homemade coleslaw dressings can add a lot of flavor to slaw recipes!

SPICE IT UP: You can add some heat with chili flakes, hot sauce, jalapeños or cayenne red pepper. 

DRIED FRUIT: I added dried cranberries to this slaw. Other dried fruit options I like are dried apricots, apples, pineapple, raisins or prunes for a hint of sweetness.

FRUIT: You also can add fresh fruit like crisp apple, diced pineapple, chopped strawberries or blueberries. I especially love adding granny smith apples because it adds a tart, sweet flavor.

CHEESE: I like the shaved Parmesan cheese in this salad because it is light with a slight tangy flavor to it. There are a lot of nice options including feta or goat cheese, mozzarella or blue cheese. 

HERBS: I love fresh herbs and they add good flavor to this salad. Try adding dill, mint, basil or parsley. 

KALE: You can use whatever kale you like curly kale, lacinato kale, dinosaur kale or tuscan kale.

NUTS: I love adding nuts or seeds to salads. This salad uses sliced almonds but you could also use pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or pine nuts. 

SEASON: When the coleslaw sits you will notice that it needs to be seasoned again. Feel free to taste and season before you eat it. 

FRESH VEGETABLES: From time to time I will add other vegetables in my slaw including crunchy carrots, red bell pepper, red onion, green onions or spiralized zucchini. 

COLESLAW MIX: Another option for this salad is to use a bagged coleslaw mix that uses shredded cabbage and then just add in the nuts, dried fruit and cheese. This cuts down on the preparation of the cabbage and kale if you are short on time. 

WHAT TO PAIR THIS WINTER COLESLAW SALAD RECIPE WITH?

This easy coleslaw recipe is a great side dish for a holiday meal and an easy way to get vegetables into your meals.

Here are a few meals that I think it pairs nicely with.

HERB ROASTED TURKEY

APPLE CIDER GLAZED HAM RECIPE

INSTANT POT ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES

SMOKED TURKEY 

MOROCCAN CARROT RED LENTIL SOUP