Broccoli Slaw Salad

It’s the last day of August, which means fall is officially on the horizon. This is the best time of year because summer and fall intersect and produce from both seasons are widely available.

While I’m ready for fall, I haven’t quite shifted gears yet as far as food prep. I have a few more late summer-inspired recipes coming your way in September, then it will be all about pumpkin, apples, pears and comfort food. 🙂

For now, my mind is planted firmly on Labor Day, which typically includes a feast of grilled bbq chicken, corn on the cob and our all time favorite side dish — this Broccoli Slaw Salad.

This salad is a hybrid of our favorite classic coleslaw and broccoli salad with bacon. It incorporates a double dose of broccoli with both broccoli slaw and florets, so it’s the best of both worlds.

It includes crunchy apple, chewy dried cranberries and toasted almonds, and it’s all tossed in my sweet, tangy homemade coleslaw dressing.

I make this recipe about once a week and it never, ever gets old. 🙂

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• This broccoli slaw recipe is an addictive blend of crunchy broccoli, crisp apple, chewy cranberries, toasted almonds and a creamy coleslaw dressing.
• It’s a healthy side dish that’s extremely versatile — it’s perfect with almost anything you’re serving.
• This is an easy recipe that may be prepped in advance, and it keeps well for 2-3 days in the fridge.
• It’s gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, and is customizable with ingredients that suit your diet. 

Recipe ingredients

This broccoli slaw recipe includes just a few ingredients that are very easy to prep.

It’s extremely customizable with what you have on hand as outlined in the ingredient notes below.

Ingredient notes

• Broccoli. This recipe includes a double dose of broccoli with broccoli slaw and florets for great texture, color and crunch.
• Apple. Use any variety you’d like or sub with another variety of fruit that you have on hand.
• Green onions. Sub with red onion, chives or whatever you have on hand.
• Cranberries. The cranberries add a delicious tangy flavor and chewy texture. They may be subbed with your favorite dried fruit or omitted altogether.
• Toasted almonds. You can purchase pre-toasted almonds at most grocery stores as a time saver. The almonds may be subbed with your favorite nuts, seeds or omitted altogether.
• Coleslaw dressing. I used my homemade coleslaw dressing in this recipe, which happens to be vegan. It may be subbed with your favorite mayo, or you can use your favorite brand of store bought dressing.

How to make this recipe

Broccoli slaw salad is such an easy recipe to make as there is minimal prep!

Pro tip: Prep the ingredients in advance and assemble just before serving to make prep time even faster.

1. Chop the broccoli crown into bite-sized florets.
2. Place the florets, slaw, apple, green onions, and cranberries in a large bowl.
3. Toss with enough of the broccoli slaw dressing to coat.
4. Top the salad with the almonds just before serving.

FAQs

Serving suggestions

My family loves this healthy broccoli slaw recipe, so I make it once a week.  It’s extremely versatile and works with almost anything you may be serving.

Below are some of my favorite ways to to serve it:

• Serve it at a your next barbecue alongside grilled burgers or grilled chicken thighs.
• It makes a great game day side served with BBQ pulled chicken or Instant Pot pulled pork.
• Broccoli slaw is great for busy weeknights with salmon cakes or air fryer chicken breast.

Recipe notes

• Pro tip: Prep the ingredients in advance and assemble just before serving to make prep time even faster.
• Add the almonds right before serving so that they keep their crunchy texture.
• The slaw keeps well for 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
• Customize with your favorite veggies, dried fruit or nuts!

More easy side dishes you’ll love:

• Broccoli kale salad
• Kale slaw
• Vinegar coleslaw