Broccoli Slaw

Throughout the spring and summer, you can find my family chowing down on seasonal dishes like grilled bbq chicken, corn on the cob, and our all time favorite side dish — this Broccoli Slaw.

This cranberry broccoli slaw is a hybrid of our favorite creamy coleslaw and broccoli salad with bacon. It incorporates a double dose of broccoli with both store-bought 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 quick 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 for up to 2 days in the fridge.
• It’s gluten-free and is customizable with ingredients that suit your diet. 

Recipe ingredients

This broccoli coleslaw 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.

• Broccoli. This recipe includes a double dose of broccoli with store-bought broccoli slaw and fresh broccoli 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.
• Dried cranberries. The cranberries add a delicious tangy flavor and chewy texture. They may be subbed with your favorite dried fruit (golden raisins, finely chopped dried apricots, etc.) 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. To make it vegan, replace the mayo with your favorite vegan mayo.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to make this recipe

Making coleslaw with broccoli is just as easy as the classic recipe and there’s minimal prep required!

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

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

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 dressing to coat.
4. Top with the almonds just before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Serving suggestions

My family loves this 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.
• It’s great for busy weeknights with salmon cakes or air fryer chicken breast.

Recipe notes

• Pro tip: If you can’t find the broccoli slaw mixture at your local grocery store, buy a head of broccoli with the stem attached and shred the stem using a box grater.
• Add the almonds right before serving so that they keep their crunchy texture.
• The slaw keeps well for up to 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
• Customize with your favorite veggies, dried fruit, or nuts!

More easy coleslaw recipes you’ll love

• Kale slaw
• Vinegar coleslaw
• Fennel and apple slaw
• Curry coleslaw