Cabbage slaw with fresh apples and leeks makes a power food pairing with beef tips, or any other lean protein. This gluten-free slaw recipe makes a nutrient packed side dish that’s nutritious and delicious! A paleo power salad packed with flavor!
Hey there seasonal fresh produce. Hello Spring, and how are ya, warm weather?! Oh man, it feels good outside, doesn’t it? Except for maybe Chicago, I think they didn’t get the memo.
But really, are you feeling refreshed yet? Renewed? Or are you still transitioning into Spring? Sorry for the questions, just know I can relate to ALL! We are yearning for a sense of renewal, still in transition from NZ, but know a time will come when we feel refreshed. That’s what this season is about, SPRINGING into new things, new patterns, new healthy intentions. Heck, we can even catch some VITAMIN D rays by dining al fresco, right?
Eating seasonal produce can definitely help with accelerate those healthy intentions…
Green apples, leeks, and red cabbage are all part of March and April fresh produce, hence this red cabbage slaw recipe. But I’ll get to that in a second.
When you eat fruit and vegetables in season, you’re likely get more nutrients due to the quality of the soil content. And if you’re like us, you’re needing to BOOST your iron intake after a hard few weeks of training and “transitioning.” The best way to do that is with FOOD!
This red cabbage slaw salad recipe can help you digest your food!
Plant based forms of vitamin C can help you digest and absorb more plant based forms of iron (non heme). How? Well, when both are digested together, vitamin C kinda clings to the non heme (plant based) iron to create a compound that’s more easily absorbed.
So this red cabbage slaw salad… it’s LOADED.
- Leeks – Very good source of Vit. K and Iron (non heme, plant form)
- Cabbage – Vitamin C
- Apple – Vitamin C
- Beef – Iron (Heme, animal form)
Do you need another reason to make this red cabbage slaw recipe? It’s delicious!
PrintApple, Leek, and Cabbage Salad with Beef Tips
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 2-3 1x
Ingredients
- ½ head red cabbage or 1 bag pre-shredded
- 1 cup chopped green apple
- ¼ red onion
- ½ cup chopped leeks
- ¼ cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- dash of paprika or chili pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
- sea salt
- black pepper
- optional add ins – 1 teaspoon maple syrup for extra sweetness, feta/parmesan
Instructions
- Chop all vegetables and fruit and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the oil and toss again.
- I lightly sautéed them in a skillet for a few minutes until leeks were cooked and tender.
- Once cooked, transfer into bowl and add in vinegars, seasoning, and seeds.
- Place in fridge until chilled.
- Top with Parmesan or feta and serve with beef tips!
- If you’d like to know how to cook the beef, simply cut your beef into small strips, season with a dash of black pepper and sea salt, then grill or sear for about 10 minutes or until medium. Then sprinkle a little fresh or dried basil on top when almost cooked. That is optional.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
Note –> if you are vegan, you can replace the beef with Tempeh. It contains a good source of non heme iron.
Now we’re talking! New ways to eat real food to SPRING into good health. Yes, I’m corny and I’m a nutrition nerd, just go with it.
What seasonal produce are you eating this Spring?
[Tweet “Power Foods that Pair! #paleo apple, leek, and cabbage salad with beef tips. #fitfluential”]
Let’s eat!
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi’s Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.
Arman @ thebigmansworld
I’d like to spring into your kitchen please. This looks delicious!
LCCotter
Jump on over! bring those hot cross buns. LOL!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
I don’t eat beef, but I WANT that apple, leek, cabbage with some fish right now. Sometimes I wish someone would cook for me for a change. Just once 😉
LCCotter
I’ll be happy too! and i’ll make fish instead of beef for you!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I love this salad for its seasonality, the colors and bold flavors. I cannot wait to get farm share produce. It’s still a bit too cold here to dine al fresco but a girl can dream….or at least I can.
LCCotter
maybe you need to come visit then! warm here!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Maybe you need to meet me in Colorado in May. 😉
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
Based on these last few posts, it looks like someone is excited about the arrival of spring! Another gorgeous dish with such beautiful colors 🙂
LCCotter
you know it! love the freshness of spring, food and all! xxoo
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes
Oh yum. One of my favorite dinners in the summer are salads like this. This looks amazing. It makes me dream of eating it outside on my deck with a nice glass of wine 🙂
LCCotter
you read my mind! cheers!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape
Wow this looks awesome Lindsay! Totally David and I’s kind of meal! always on the look out for more cabbage recipes, it’s one underrated veggie!
LCCotter
yes! gotta feed the men! haha
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
I’m totally making this as soon as we make another grocery trip. I love cabbage in a big way.
kristin | W [H] A T C H
that slaw looks so good!
LCCotter
the color made me happy. haha
Kim
This looks good and I actually have some cabbage that I need to use!!!
LCCotter
yay!! you’ll love! and boys love meat! haha
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
I love leeks, but never think to eat them in a salad!! That certainly has to change. I’m pretty obsessed with red cabbage and try to add it to everything!! This salad sounds so yummy with the sunflower seeds!!
LCCotter
have you tried them sauteed first? so good!
Heather @ FITaspire
I love the colors in this dish!! I am trying to like fresh apples, but usually I have to cook them to work for me. 😉
LCCotter
me too! unless they are green apples in a salad. Like this! haha
Jody - Fit at 57
Your photography is beautiful these days – always was but even better!!! What a beautiful & nutritious salad!! I would do checken.. 🙂
I eat whatever I am in the mood for & I do buy frozen a lot so as not to waste.. but I love fresh seasonal berries & fruit! 🙂
LCCotter
love frozen veggies too! so handy and easy to make! agreed!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf
Seriously, where is SPRING? I went to the farmers market over the weekend expecting to see all those lovely spring veggies but there were potatoes, potatoes and some squash. Can’t wait until is as bright as sunny here as your salad looks!
LCCotter
hawaii can’t get here soon enough for you, right?sigh.. stay warm!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
So delicious! I’ve been avoiding apples but this is making me crave them in a salad!
LCCotter
i was too, but when added to a salad like this, the fructose can be handled/digested a little better. Thank goodness! It’s the cabbage, it helps.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Edmonton didn’t get the memo either — we got snowed on! And I’m loving the combination of leeks and apples. We use that in a veggie egg salad that we make every Easter, and I can’t wait to dig into it this year!
LCCotter
ohhh will you share the recipe? sounds amazing!
Livi @ Eat, pray, work it out
yum!!! I’m all in for anything with beef tips, but this looks especially delicious!
LCCotter
you and me both Livi!
Maureen
So delish! Is that wine you served it with?? 😉 I cannot wait to try this recipe…it would even be Whole30 compliant for me if I didn’t add the cheese or syrup. Oh yeah!
LCCotter
always wine… always! haha
Katie @ Mom to Mom nutrition
Oooops I commented on the wrong section! Here’s what I think: This recipe has everything I love about “power” foods! I’ve been making more salads with cabbage lately. And beef… girl that’s my protein! <3!
LCCotter
you commented in the right spot, there are two sections for this post. haha. But thanks for posting in both, you rock! and BEEF FOR THE WIN! YAY!
misszippy
I love the combo of leeks and apples–I do a baked chicken dish with both and its so yummy.
We’re not quite to dining al fresco season around here, although I did sneak out onto the deck on one sunny afternoon last week. I could live outside, honestly, so it can’t get here soon enough!
LCCotter
oh that would be good with chicken! i need to try that next. Stay warm!
SuzLyfe (@suzlyfe)
This would have been so good with corned beef for ST Paddy’s! Talk about seasonal!
LCCotter
i know! i was a week late on that. bugger. haha
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables
how is it that you can make beef sound appealing to me?? I want to eat everything you make!
LCCotter
eat up!! you need that heme and non hem iron. 😉
Cara's Healthy Cravings
Spring!!!!
I love adding fresh fruit to salads for a bit of crunch and added sweetness.
Your pictures are lovely!
LCCotter
you are lovely! xxoo