Crunchy Broccoli Slaw Recipe

Zippy Crunchy Broccoli Slaw Recipe: Fresh Garden Delight!

Fresh summer gatherings call for an irresistible broccoli slaw that adds a delightful crunch to every plate.

This colorful broccoli slaw recipe brings zesty flavors and vibrant textures to your meal.

The combination of crisp vegetables and tangy dressing creates a perfect side dish that everyone will adore.

Raw broccoli transforms into a light, refreshing salad with just a few simple ingredients.

Shredded cabbage and carrots complement the broccoli’s bold green color and hearty texture.

A creamy, slightly sweet dressing ties all the elements together with remarkable balance.

Serve this slaw at your next barbecue or potluck, and watch how quickly it disappears from the table.

Broccoli Slaw Starts with These Crisp Ingredients

For Dressing:
  • Mayonnaise: Creamy base that adds richness and helps bind the slaw together, choose a high-quality brand for best flavor.
  • Greek Yogurt: Provides tangy depth and boosts protein content, opt for full-fat version for smoother texture.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds bright acidity that cuts through the richness, look for organic unpasteurized variety.
  • Honey: Introduces subtle sweetness and helps balance the tang, raw honey offers more complex flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: Contributes sharp, zesty notes and helps emulsify the dressing, choose smooth variety for even distribution.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for better integration.
  • Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and aromatic complexity, freshly ground gives more vibrant taste.
For Slaw Base:
  • Broccoli Slaw Mix: Crunchy, nutrient-dense vegetable blend that forms the core of the dish, look for fresh, crisp pre-shredded mix.
For Optional Mix-Ins (As Mentioned in Instructions):
  • Optional Ingredients: Allows personalization and extra texture, can include nuts, seeds, or additional vegetables for variety.

Tools for Mixing and Dressing Broccoli Slaw Fast

  • Whisk: Small kitchen tool perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
  • Small bowl: Used for mixing the creamy dressing ingredients together.
  • Large bowl: Needed for combining broccoli slaw mix and tossing with dressing.
  • Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate salt, pepper, and honey measurements.
  • Measuring cups: Ensures precise amounts of mayo and yogurt for the dressing.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for tossing slaw and mixing everything evenly.

How to Prepare Broccoli Slaw with Bold Texture

  • Create Creamy Dressing

Blend tangy mayo, velvety Greek yogurt, zesty vinegar, sweet honey, sharp mustard, and a sprinkle of seasoning in a small mixing bowl until silky smooth.

  • Toss Broccoli Base

Spread broccoli slaw into a generous mixing bowl, preparing for a flavor explosion. Feel free to add extra crunch with tasty mix-ins like nuts or seeds.

  • Marry Flavors

Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the broccoli slaw, gently folding and turning until every strand gets coated with deliciousness.

  • Chill and Develop Taste

Let the slaw relax in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle and intensify. This resting time transforms good into extraordinary.

  • Serve and Savor

Pull out your chilled slaw and serve cold. Each bite promises a refreshing, crisp experience that’ll make taste buds dance with delight.

Dressing Variations for Your Next Broccoli Slaw Bowl

  • Let the slaw sit for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and soften the broccoli slightly.
  • Add grilled chicken, canned tuna, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
  • Replace honey with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia for a keto-friendly version of the slaw.
  • Toss in toasted sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, or chopped pecans right before serving to add extra texture and nutty flavor.
  • Swap Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or additional mayo to make the recipe completely dairy-free and suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Serving Broccoli Slaw with Sandwiches or Grilled Meats

  • Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve this vibrant broccoli slaw alongside grilled meats like chicken or burgers for a fresh, crunchy side dish that adds color and nutrition to your meal.
  • Sandwich Companion: Pile the slaw onto pulled pork sandwiches or use as a zesty topping for fish tacos to add a delightful crunch and tangy flavor that elevates classic recipes.
  • Meal Prep Delight: Store the slaw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it an excellent make-ahead option for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners that save time and reduce stress.
  • Protein Power Boost: Sprinkle chopped almonds, sunflower seeds, or grilled chicken on top to transform this simple slaw into a more substantial and protein-packed meal that keeps you satisfied.

Storing Broccoli Slaw to Keep It Crunchy

  • Refrigerate the broccoli slaw for 15-30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor melding and chill the dish perfectly.
  • Transfer leftover slaw to an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, maintaining crisp texture and fresh taste.
  • Prepare dressing and chop optional mix-ins separately, storing them in sealed containers in the refrigerator to assemble quickly when needed.
  • Always serve broccoli slaw cold straight from the refrigerator to ensure maximum crunchiness and optimal flavor experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

Print
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Crunchy Broccoli Slaw Recipe

Crunchy Broccoli Slaw Recipe


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4.5 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Fresh “broccoli slaw” brings crisp summer freshness to classic side dishes with a nutritious twist. Crunchy vegetables and zesty dressing combine for a light, refreshing salad you’ll crave at every picnic and potluck.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (12 oz / 340 g) bag broccoli slaw mix (or make your own with shredded broccoli stems, carrots, and red cabbage)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds (optional)
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped red onion (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Dressing Preparation: Combine mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, whisking until the mixture reaches a silky, uniform consistency.
  2. Slaw Assembly: Transfer broccoli slaw mix into a spacious mixing bowl, incorporating any desired additional ingredients like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for enhanced texture and flavor complexity.
  3. Coating and Marinating: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the slaw, meticulously tossing and folding to ensure every strand is generously coated, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
  4. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the dressed slaw for a minimum of 15-30 minutes, enabling the ingredients to harmonize and the flavors to intensify, then serve cold as a refreshing side dish or light meal accompaniment.

Notes

  • Ensure broccoli slaw mix is fresh and crisp by checking for any wilted or brown pieces before mixing. Pat dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture that can make the slaw watery.
  • Adjust dressing quantity gradually to avoid overwhelming the slaw. Start with less and add more as needed for perfect coating without drowning the vegetables.
  • Consider adding toasted nuts, sunflower seeds, or dried cranberries for extra texture and taste complexity. These mix-ins can transform the basic slaw into a more interesting side dish.
  • While 15-30 minutes is recommended, letting the slaw sit for 1-2 hours allows flavors to meld more deeply. The longer it rests, the more delicious it becomes, so plan ahead when possible.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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