Green Apple, Cabbage, and Herb Slaw (No-Lemon Dressing)

Name: Green Apple, Cabbage, and Herb Slaw (No-Lemon Dressing)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: Serves 4 (as a side)
Cuisine: Modern
Ingredients: 300 g cabbage, very thinly sliced (about 6 packed cups); 150 g green apple, julienned (1 large); 80 g fennel bulb, shaved very thin (optional); 60 g scallions, thinly sliced (about 6); 20 g parsley leaves, chopped; 10 g Thai basil, torn (use more if you’ve got it); 30 g rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar (2 Tbsp); 20 g neutral oil (4 tsp); 15 g honey or maple syrup (2 tsp); 10 g Dijon mustard (2 tsp) (optional); 6 g kosher salt (1 tsp), plus more to taste; 1 g black pepper (1/2 tsp)

A crisp, bright slaw built for crunch: green apple, cabbage, and lots of herbs. The dressing is sharp-sweet without lemon, so it stays clean and snappy and won’t wilt your greens as fast. Perfect next to rich noodles, burgers, or roasted veg.

Total time: 25 minutes

Yield: Serves 4 (as a side)

Ingredients

300 g cabbage, very thinly sliced (about 6 packed cups)
150 g green apple, julienned (1 large)
80 g fennel bulb, shaved very thin (optional)
60 g scallions, thinly sliced (about 6)
20 g parsley leaves, chopped
10 g Thai basil, torn (use more if you’ve got it)
30 g rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar (2 Tbsp)
20 g neutral oil (4 tsp)
15 g honey or maple syrup (2 tsp)
10 g Dijon mustard (2 tsp) (optional)
6 g kosher salt (1 tsp), plus more to taste
1 g black pepper (1/2 tsp)

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine cabbage, apple, fennel (if using), scallions, parsley, and Thai basil.
In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, honey/maple, Dijon (if using), salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Pour dressing over the slaw and toss thoroughly for 30 seconds until the cabbage turns slightly glossy.
Taste and adjust: it should be punchy and bright. Add a pinch more salt if it tastes flat.
Let sit 5–10 minutes to lightly soften, then serve.

Notes

Make-ahead: keep dressing separate up to 3 days; dressed slaw is best within 24 hours. Add-ins that work well: shaved celery, grated carrot, or more fennel fronds.