This Broccoli Slaw is a healthier version of everyone’s favorite broccoli salad. Made with broccoli, shallots, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries in a creamy homemade slaw dressing. This recipe is easy to make and is a perfect combination of crunchy and tangy.
This broccoli slaw recipe is vegan, vegetarian and naturally gluten-free. It is the perfect side dish for the holidays and also goes great with easy baked salmon, slow roasted pork shoulder, and mojo turkey tenderloin.
A really great recipe for meal prep. This broccoli slaw is naturally gluten free, grain free, vegan, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.
This easy broccoli slaw recipe is bursting in flavors, different textures, and beautiful colors. Crisp broccoli and carrot, sweet and tart dried cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and super creamy and flavorful homemade slaw dressing.
It is an ideal side dish to serve all summer long, but this is something you could serve even this time of the year.
With the holidays around the corner, you are going to be thinking of some side dishes to make. And I’m not talking about the typical holiday side dishes. I’m talking about something to offer your vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free friends and family.
Or you could be searching for a side dish for your best friends or siblings following a paleo diet. That is pretty much what I will be doing this holiday season, so I am creating some recipes like this delicious broccoli slaw.
It is quick to prepare and goes with Spinach Chicken Burgers Whole30 Paleo, Healthy Chicken Patties, and Garlic Rosemary Whole30 Meatballs.
What ingredients are in a broccoli slaw?
Here is what I used to make the salad:
- Broccoli slaw mix: You could find packaged slaw mix at most any market in the produce section. It is a massive time-saver. If you’re not short on time, you could julienne-cut your own broccoli stems carrots.
- Carrots: The packaged slaw mix always has carrots in it. If you have time, go ahead and julienne-cut some carrots to add into the slaw. Or you could even find packaged stick cut carrots
- Shallots: Add a subtle and sweet flavor to a salad when they're added in raw. A more mellow and lightly sharp flavor. You could use red onions instead, and the flavor will be more sharp and have a little more heat.
- Dried cranberries: Really nice for a fall/winter salad and adds a sweet-tart to the slaw. Plus, it adds gorgeous color!
- Pumpkin seeds: Also a very nice addition for a fall/winter salad. I used shelled salted roasted pumpkin seeds. Adds a lovely crunch and delicate flavor.
- Homemade cole slaw dressing: This easy dressing comes together in minutes and could be prepped 2 days ahead of time.
How to make easy homemade broccoli slaw?
This is one of the easiest recipes to make. Especially if you're buying a packaged broccoli slaw.
If you're cutting your own broccoli and carrots, it will take a little time to julienne-cut them.
Place the packaged broccoli slaw in a large bowl. Add in the chopped shallots (or onions). Add in the dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.
Next, add in some of the dressing and gently stir to combine. Test the consistency, and if you would like more dressing, go ahead and add in some more.
How to make an easy creamy dressing for this broccoli slaw?
Gather all the ingredients to make the slaw. Add them to a large bowl. Whisk them all together. Test the flavor and adjust to your taste. Place in jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to combine with the slaw.
How much fresh broccoli stems is needed for broccoli slaw?
If you choose to julienne-cut your own broccoli stems, you will need about 3 cups of the broccoli julienne-cut for this recipe. You'll have to peel the outer layer of the stems, and then cut them into the thin matchsticks. It's not difficult to do, but it is time-consuming and you have to be very careful cutting them.
Make Ahead Storage Instructions
This broccoli slaw is great served the day you make it or you could make ahead. If you're making night before serving, add on just some of the dressing to coat the slaw ingredients. The next day, add on some more dressing and stir to combine.
Another option is to make the dressing even 2 days ahead of time. When you're ready to enjoy, combine the packaged slaw with the dressing in a large bowl and add on the chopped shallots, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
If you're cutting your own slaw ingredients, you could prep them 2 days ahead of time.
How long will coleslaw dressing stay fresh?
If you have not combined it with the broccoli slaw, you could keep your homemade coleslaw dressing in a jar and store in the refrigerator. The coleslaw dressing will stay fresh in the refrigerator for at least 3-5 days. If you keep the dressing out for more than 2 hours, you need to toss it.
How far in advance can you dress broccoli slaw?
The slaw will lose some of the crunch the longer it's marinating in the dressing. It's best to start out with less dressing if you're leaving it to marinate for more than one hour. When ready to serve, add on some more dressing and combine together.
Can you freeze a bag of broccoli slaw?
Yes, you could freeze the bag of broccoli slaw. Just be sure not to freeze it with the dressing.
How long is broccoli slaw good at room temperature?
The USDA does say that foods like coleslaw could stay out at room temperature for up to two hours. IF you leave it out for more than 2 hours, harmful bacteria could start to grow, so I would recommend tossing it if you left it out all day at a party.
Broccoli Slaw Recipe Tips and Variations
- Use your favorite packaged slaw- Or if you have time and a sharp nice, julienne-cut the broccoli and carrots yourself. You will need 3-4 cups of julienned broccoli stems.
- Marinate slaw- Make the broccoli slaw ahead of time to let the flavors come together. You could prep it 30 minutes before if you're short on time. Or a few hours before. It's even nice to prep the night before. The slaw and dressing have time to meld together in the refrigerator for even more vibrant flavor.
- Vegan dressing-The easy cole slaw dressing is made with a vegan mayo, so it is a totally vegan salad. If you're not vegan, use whatever mayonnaise you prefer.
- Replace the seeds with nuts- This broccoli slaw is nut-free. If you are fine with nuts, use sliced almonds in place of the sunflower seeds.
- Garnish with seeds and cranberries- Reserve some pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries to garnish the salad when it's ready. The dried cranberries give a gorgeous pop of color. If you leave the salad to marinate overnight in the fridge, the pumpkin seeds may lose some of their crunch. Add some more right before you're serving.
Some other healthy salads to enjoy:
Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)
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Easy Broccoli Slaw
Ingredients
- Broccoli Slaw
- 18 ounce bag broccoli slaw mix
- ⅓ cup finely chopped shallot or red onion
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise I used vegan mayo
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon mustard Dijon or yellow
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or more taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli slaw mix (or your own julienne-cut broccoli stems and carrots), shallots, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
- In a medium bowl, combine all dressing ingredients: mayonnaise extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
- Whisk to combine.
- Taste the dressing, and adjust seasoning to your taste. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more maple syrup. If you like it more tangy, add a touch more vinegar.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli slaw ingredients and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving. Stir to recombine everything before serving.
- Add a little bit of the dressing to the slaw. Gently toss to combine. Slowly add some more dressing until your desired taste and consistency, tossing to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use your favorite packaged slaw- Or if you have time and a sharp nice, julienne-cut the broccoli and carrots yourself. You will need 3-4 cups of julienned broccoli stems.
- Marinate slaw- Make the broccoli slaw ahead of time to let the flavors come together. You could prep it 30 minutes before if you’re short on time. Or a few hours before. It’s even nice to prep the night before. The slaw and dressing have time to meld together in the refrigerator for even more vibrant flavor.
- Vegan dressing-The easy cole slaw dressing is made with a vegan mayo, so it is a totally vegan salad. If you’re not vegan, use whatever mayonnaise you prefer.
- Replace the seeds with nuts- This broccoli slaw is nut-free. If you are fine with nuts, use sliced almonds in place of the sunflower seeds.
- Garnish with seeds and cranberries- Reserve some pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries to garnish the salad when it’s ready. The dried cranberries give a gorgeous pop of color. If you leave the salad to marinate overnight in the fridge, the pumpkin seeds may lose some of their crunch. Add some more right before you’re serving.
Anne says
Really enjoy this recipe for broccoli slaw...super flavorful (so easy, too!)!