This festive beet slaw features shredded beets, crisp cabbage, apples, and pomegranate seeds tossed in a tangy pomegranate molasses dressing. Perfect for holiday meals or weeknight sides.

Red Beet Slaw
Looking for a vibrant, fresh, and flavorful way to brighten your holiday table or everyday meals? This red beet and cabbage slaw with pomegranate dressing is the perfect answer. It combines the earthy sweetness of shredded red beets with the crisp crunch of red cabbage, creating a colorful medley of flavors and textures that makes every bite a delight.
Crisp apples and juicy pomegranate seeds add bursts of freshness and natural sweetness, perfectly balancing the tangy richness of the pomegranate molasses vinaigrette.
Whether served as a refreshing side at holiday feasts, a bright complement to weeknight dinners, or a satisfying addition to next-day lunches, this slaw is as versatile as it is delicious.
If you’re on the hunt for a colorful, healthy, and crowd-pleasing beet slaw or a gluten-free holiday side, this recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
🥗 Why You’ll Love This Beet and Cabbage Slaw
- Eye-catching colors make it a festive centerpiece on any table.
- Make-ahead friendly — flavors deepen with time for easy meal prep.
- Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures.
- Pairs beautifully with everyday mains or holiday spreads.

🛒 Ingredients for Red Beet and Cabbage Slaw with Notes
- Red beets — peeled and shredded (fresh beets add earthy sweetness).
- Red cabbage — shredded (adds crunch and vibrant color).
- Carrots — peeled and shredded (adds natural sweetness and texture).
- Apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji) — julienned (adds freshness and sweetness).
- Pomegranate seeds — for juicy pops of flavor and visual appeal.
- Walnuts — for crunch and richness.
- Pomegranate molasses — key to the bright, tangy-sweet dressing (substitute with reduced pomegranate juice if needed).
- Balsamic vinegar — adds depth and acidity.
- Extra virgin olive oil — base for dressing.
- Honey or maple syrup — balances acidity (use maple syrup for vegan option).
- Sea salt — enhances all flavors.
👩🍳 How to Make This Crunchy Beet and Cabbage Slaw
1. Whisk Together the Pomegranate Dressing
In a large bowl, combine pomegranate molasses, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), sea salt, and pepper. Whisk until fully emulsified.
2. Prepare the Vegetables
Shred beets, carrots, and cabbage using a box grater or food processor. Add to the bowl with the dressing.
3. Toss to Coat Evenly
Mix the shredded vegetables with the dressing thoroughly so every bite is flavorful.
4. Add Apples, Pomegranate Seeds & Walnuts
Just before serving, gently fold in julienned apples, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts to maintain their crunch and freshness.
5. Serve or Store
Enjoy immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days. Add apples and walnuts just before serving if making ahead.

📝 Notes & Tips for the Best Beet Slaw
- Pomegranate molasses substitute: If unavailable, simmer pomegranate juice in a saucepan until syrupy or omit for a simpler vinaigrette.
- Make it vegan: Swap honey for pure maple syrup.
- Nut-free: Omit walnuts or substitute with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch.
🥄 Storing and Serving Tips for Your Beet and Cabbage Slaw
Store leftover slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld. For the best texture, add apples and walnuts fresh just before serving. This slaw makes a fantastic make-ahead dish for holiday entertaining or meal prep.
🍽️ Your Go-To Beet and Cabbage Slaw
This beet slaw with pomegranate dressing is a bright, crunchy, and delicious way to bring color and flavor to any meal. Its balance of sweet, tangy, and earthy notes pairs perfectly with most mains and festive spreads.
Easy to prepare and beautiful on the plate — this recipe is a must-have for your fall and winter menus. Make it ahead for stress-free entertaining and enjoy the vibrant flavors of the season.
Beet Slaw
Packed with beets, cabbage, carrots, apples and pomegranate, this red beet slaw makes a great addition to any meal and can easily be made ahead of time!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml pomegranate molasses
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons/45ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons/10ml raw honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅛th teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2-3 medium purple carrots
- 2 small beets, cut into quarters
- ½ medium head red cabbage, cut into wedges
- 1 medium apple, cut into small batons
- Pomegranate seeds from half a pomegranate
- ¼ cup/30g walnuts, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the pomegranate molasses, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Grate the beets, carrots, cabbage in a food processor using the shredding blade.
- Combine the grated beets, carrots and cabbage with the dressing and toss well to coat. Let the salad stand for at least 15-20 minutes before serving or make ahead and store covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve add in apple, tossing gently to combine and top with pomegranate seeds and chopped walnuts.
Notes
Variations:
Make your own pomegranate molasses using pomegranate juice and reducing it in a saucepan on the stove until syrupy.
Try using sour cherry molasses.
Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan version.
Storage:
Store slaw in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain, Free, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 4gSugar: 23gProtein: 2g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.





Megan Stevens says
Who wouldn't grab that at a holiday gathering?! It's so festive, beautiful and delicious-looking!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
This is beautiful! LOVE beets, such a great idea in this slaw!
Kelsey says
This sounds DELICIOUS! Definitely trying this recipe! Such yummy flavors all put together, thanks!
Maria says
Love the dash of sweetness!
Sharon @What The Fork says
Your pictures are great! Also this would go great with many different types of parties!
Megan says
Slaw is definitely something I need more of in my life! Such a pretty color!
Marye says
This looks so good, I need to try it!
Sabrina | The Tomato Tart says
I love the colors in this slaw! So festive! Definitely adding this to our Thanksgiving menu!
Amy Stafford says
I am already planning how to get it all done for Thanksgiving. I am loving all the flavors in this slaw, and I have quite a few beet lovers that will be coming so I think this needs to make it on my menu!
Terri says
Love the idea of this, but I am not ordering pomegranate molasses just for this salad. (Never saw it in any stores near me) What can I substitute for it ?? Thanks in advance.
Sylvie says
You can make your own by reducing pomegranate juice down to a syrup instead. Or I might mix pomegranate juice with the balsamic vinegar and reducing that slowly over the stove until it's syrupy.
Terri says
Thanks for the suggestions