Marinated Red Cabbage Carrot Salad

I’m here to help those of you who waited until the last minute to throw your Thanksgiving menu together. Marinated Red Cabbage Carrot Salad to the rescue.

Flavor and color are the stars of this Thanksgiving holiday-inspired red cabbage salad.  This is the easiest Thanksgiving side dish ever. There is a one-hour marinade time and I recommend toasting the pecans. Other than that, it takes minutes to throw together.

Shredded red cabbage, carrot curls, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans are tossed together in a vanilla vinaigrette. The eye-catching result is sweet and crunchy and not too filling.

How perfect is that for a Thanksgiving side dish?

Making several of your dishes ahead of time really saves your butt on Thanksgiving day. This one can be made up to three days ahead of time, or in this case, the day before the dinner.

Here are some general tips to get ahead of your Thanksgiving game:

1. Plan Your Menu Early
Start by planning your Thanksgiving menu a few weeks before the big day. Make a list of dishes you want to serve, and identify which ones can be made ahead. Consequently, this helps you stay organized and reduces last-minute stress.

2. Set the Table the Night Before
Don’t forget about the table setting! Set your table the night before, including folding napkins, arranging dishes, and prepping utensils. This simple step saves time and stress on Thanksgiving Day.

3. Use Slow Cookers and Instant Pots
These kitchen gadgets are perfect for make-ahead meals. You can cook side dishes like mashed potatoes or vegetables in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Simply set it up and let it cook while you focus on other tasks.

4. Delegate!
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring a dish or two. This helps ease the load and allows you to focus on the main elements of the meal.

By following these tips, you can make Thanksgiving easier and more enjoyable. So with a little planning and prep, you’ll have more time to spend with your loved ones—and less time in the kitchen.

For those of you celebrating tomorrow, have a wonderful, delicious, and blissful Thanksgiving!

Print

Marinated Red Cabbage Carrot Salad with Pecans & Vanilla

Course salads, Side Dish

Cuisine American, German

Keyword carrot salad, fall recipes, fall side dishes, Red Cabbage, salads, side dish, Thankgiving Side Dish, Thanksgiving Recipes

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Marinate Time: 1 hour

Servings 6

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 6 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans plus a few whole for garnish
• 4 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large carrot peeled and cut into strips with the peeler
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place the red cabbage in a bowl.

2. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, and the apple cider vinegar.

3. Rub the mixture into the shredded red cabbage. Cover the bowl with plastic cling film and place the bowl in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

4. Place the pecans in a naked small skillet over medium heat and toast. Set aside.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, mustard, honey, vanilla extract, and olive oil.

6. Remove the cabbage from the refrigerator, drain the excess liquid, and toss with the carrot strips, dried cranberries, and the toasted pecans to combine.

7. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Let stand for another 30 minutes at room temperature.

8. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Garnish with extra raw pecan and dried cranberries and serve.

So, do you like this Marinated Red Cabbage Carrot Salad? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

APPLE CINNAMON RED CABBAGE

SPRING VEGETABLE LEMON CHICKEN

SPICED RED CABAGE WITH DATES, CURRANTS, AND CANDIED WALNUTS