Broccoli slaw is one of those underrated staples that quietly steals the show. It’s endlessly adaptable, easy to prep, and the kind of thing that somehow tastes even better the next day.
Whether you lean classic and creamy, sharp and tangy, or full-on bold with global flavors, there’s a broccoli slaw here that fits the mood.
How to Create Your Own Broccoli Slaw
Here’s a simple, methodical guide to creating your own broccoli slaw recipe. The goal is to help you think in patterns. Use this formula to come up with your own combos without the need for a strict recipe:
1. Broccoli Base
Use a 10–12 oz (280–340 g) bag of broccoli slaw or about 4 packed cups of finely shredded broccoli stems and florets. Add to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add Supporting Veg
Aim for 1–2 cups total. Choose ingredients that add contrast. You’ll want to pick 2-3 supporting veg.
Sweet crunch: carrot, bell pepper, apple
Juicy & fresh: cucumber, radish, cherry tomatoes (sparingly)
Sharp & punchy: red onion, scallions, shallot
Herby greens: parsley, dill, coriander, basil, mint
Baseline: 4 cups broccoli + 1 cup veg.
Loaded slaw: 4 cups broccoli + 2 cups veg.
3. Choose a Flavour
Decide the “lane” before you make a dressing. This keeps your slaw focused. You don’t want to have Asian slaw ingredients and then suddenly throw on an Italian dressing!
Creamy classic: mayo or mayo/yogurt, cider vinegar, Dijon
Sesame–lime: rice vinegar, soy sauce, lime, sesame oil, ginger
Mediterranean lemon-herb: olive oil, lemon, garlic, herbs
Southwest smoky: lime, olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, chipotle, yogurt or mayo
4. Mix Dressing
Think in flexible formulas you can tweak. Here are the ratios you’ll want to use for around 4-6 cups of slaw mix:
Creamy-style dressing:
- 3 Tbsp creamy base
- 1–2 Tbsp acid
- 1–2 tsp sharp element
- 1–2 tsp sweetness
- Salt and pepper
Vinaigrette-style dressing:
- 3 Tbsp oil
- 1–1½ Tbsp acid
- 1 tsp sweetness
- 1 tsp mustard or miso
- Salt and pepper
Taste and adjust before adding to the vegetables.
5. Add Crunch
Fold in ¼–½ cup of extras for texture, so it’s now all completely soft. Again, consider the style of slaw you have and pick the appropriate add-ins:
Nuts/seeds: sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, almonds, peanuts
Dried fruit: cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots
Cheese: feta, cheddar, blue cheese, queso fresco
Crispy extras: fried onions, toasted panko, crispy chickpeas
Add these at the end so they stay crisp.
6. Toss & Rest
Start with about two-thirds of the dressing. Toss thoroughly. Let the slaw rest for 10–15 minutes so the broccoli softens slightly. Taste again and adjust with tiny amounts of acid, salt, or sweetness as needed.
What Broccoli Slaw Goes With
The good news is that broccoli slaw will go well with just about anything. Here are some of the best dishes you can serve alongside your slaw:
- Grilled or roasted meats: The slaw’s acidity and crunch balance richer proteins like chicken thighs, pork chops, salmon, shrimp, or sausages.
- Sandwiches and burgers: Adds moisture and crisp texture to fried chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, pulled pork, or turkey sandwiches.
- Tacos and wraps: Bright, crunchy slaw contrasts beautifully with fish, shrimp, tofu, or carnitas; limey or sesame dressings work especially well.
- Grain bowls: A simple way to add freshness and texture to rice, quinoa, lentil, or farro bowls.
- Picnic and BBQ dishes: Complements classics like baked beans, cornbread, grilled corn, potato salad, and ribs by cutting through sweetness and smoke.
- Seafood: Great alongside or on top of salmon, white fish, or crab cakes; lemony or herb-heavy slaws fit naturally.
Classic Broccoli Slaws
These are some of the best broccoli slaw recipes loaded with the classic flavors and textures you'd expect of any slaw recipe
Broccoli Slaw
Broccoli slaw comes together fast and stays crisp, with a creamy dressing that coats everything evenly. The almonds add a bit of crunch and the cranberries bring a mild sweetness that balances the dish.
Broccoli Slaw with Lemon Dressing
This dish comes together quickly, with shredded broccoli and carrots staying lightly crisp while the dressing adds a creamy finish. It tastes cool and fresh, with a nice balance between the crunch and the tangy, savory dressing.
Crunchy Broccoli Slaw
This broccoli slaw comes together quickly with a mix of crisp vegetables and a light dressing. It’s crunchy and fresh, with a mild, savory flavor that’s easy to enjoy alongside most meals.
Broccoli & Raisin Slaw
This broccoli slaw comes together fast, with a creamy dressing that coats crisp broccoli, sunflower seeds, and raisins. It’s crunchy and a little sweet, with a nice mix of textures in every bite.
Crunchy Broccoli Coleslaw Salad
This broccoli coleslaw comes together quickly and has a lightly crisp texture from the fresh vegetables. It tastes cool and a little tangy, making it easy to eat alongside just about anything.
Crunchy Broccoli Slaws
These slaws don't rely so much on creamy dressing but instead use acids like vinegar to keep things crunchy and fresh
Crunchy Broccoli Slaw & Tangy Maple Dressing
This salad comes together fast with crisp broccoli slaw tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet dressing. It’s crunchy and fresh, with a nice balance of savory and bright flavors.
Crunchy Broccoli Salad & Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
This salad comes together quickly with crisp broccoli and a tangy-sweet dressing that coats everything lightly. Each bite is crunchy and fresh, with just enough richness from the vinaigrette to make it satisfying.
Balsamic Broccoli Slaw
This balsamic broccoli slaw comes together fast, with the dressing soaking into the crunchy vegetables as it sits. It tastes crisp and tangy, with a little sweetness that makes it easy to eat.
Creamy Broccoli Slaws
If you want a richer and more creamy broccoli slaw, then you'll want to try one of these recipes!
Broccoli Slaw with Creamy Dressing
This broccoli slaw mixes up quickly with a creamy dressing and doesn’t need any cooking. It’s crisp and cool, with a fresh crunch and a smooth, tangy bite.
Creamy Broccoli & Carrot Slaw
This broccoli slaw comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients and doesn’t require much prep. It’s crisp and fresh, with a light, tangy flavor that makes it easy to eat.
Broccoli Salad (Made with Greek Yogurt)
This broccoli salad comes together quickly with crunchy bacon, sweet raisins, and sunflower seeds tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. It’s a mix of crisp and chewy textures with a savory, slightly tangy flavor.
Creamy Broccoli Slaw Salad
This broccoli slaw comes together quickly, with crisp vegetables tossed in a creamy dressing alongside bits of feta and raisins. It’s cool and crunchy, with a mix of savory and lightly sweet flavors in every bite.
Classic Broccoli Coleslaw with Buttermilk Dressing
This broccoli coleslaw comes together quickly with a mix of crunchy vegetables, a handful of dried fruit, and a creamy, slightly sweet dressing. It’s crisp and fresh with a nice balance of tang and a little sweetness in every bite.
Creamy Broccoli Slaw
This salad comes together quickly with shredded broccoli tossed in a creamy dressing, along with apples, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds for extra texture. It’s lightly crisp and creamy, with a mix of sweet and savory in every bite.
Asian Broccoli Slaws
Love the flavors of Asia? Then take those iconic Asian ingredients and combine them with broccoli for some of the tastiest broccoli slaw options:
Cilantro Broccoli Slaw with Peanut Dressing
This slaw comes together quickly, with crunchy broccoli and a peanut dressing that adds a bright, tangy kick. It’s refreshing and has a satisfying mix of crisp and creamy in every bite.
Simple Asian Broccoli Slaw
Store-bought potstickers cook up quickly and pair well with a simple broccoli slaw that comes together in just a few minutes. The potstickers are lightly crisp on the outside and soft inside, while the slaw adds a cool, crunchy bite.
Asian Broccoli Slaw Salad with a Tangy Vinaigrette
This salad comes together quickly with crunchy broccoli slaw tossed in a tangy, savory dressing. It’s fresh and crisp to eat, with a bright flavor that feels light but filling.
Crunchy Asian Broccoli Slaw
This broccoli slaw comes together quickly, with crisp veggies tossed in a lightly sweet and savory dressing. It’s crunchy and fresh, with a nice balance of flavors in every bite.
Crunchy Broccoli Slaw With Ramen Noodles
This broccoli slaw comes together quickly and keeps its lightly crisp texture even after sitting for a while. It tastes fresh and a little tangy, with a nice crunch in every bite.
Asian Broccoli Slaw Salad
This Asian broccoli slaw is quick to toss together and has a nice crunch from the fresh vegetables. The flavors are savory and a little tangy, making it easy to eat and pretty satisfying.
Alternative Broccoli Slaws
Want to mix it up a bit? Then try one of these more unusual options for a broccoli slaw:
Roasted Broccoli Slaw with Feta
Roasted broccoli slaw comes together quickly in the oven, turning out lightly crisp with a bit of char around the edges. It’s savory and satisfying, with a mix of tender and crunchy pieces in every bite.
Broccoli Crunch Salad with Candied Pecans
This broccoli salad comes together quickly, with the candied pecans adding a lightly crisp bite to each forkful. It tastes fresh and a little sweet, with a nice mix of textures from the broccoli and nuts.
Easy Broccoli Slaw Salad with Craisins, Candied Nuts, & Vidalia Dressing
This broccoli slaw salad is quick to toss together and has a nice mix of crunchy and chewy textures. The sweet dressing and bits of fruit make it taste bright and a little tangy.
Easy Broccoli Slaw Salad with Apples & Walnuts
This broccoli slaw salad comes together quickly and stays lightly crisp, with a straightforward mix that’s easy to toss together. It tastes fresh and crunchy, with a mild flavor that goes down easy.
Broccoli Apple Slaw
This slaw mixes crisp broccoli and sweet apple, and it comes together quickly with just a bit of chopping and tossing. It’s cool and lightly crunchy, with a mild sweetness that balances out the savory notes.
FAQs
Yes, store-bought broccoli slaw mix is a convenient and time-saving option. It usually includes shredded broccoli stems, carrots, and sometimes red cabbage. Just open the bag and add your favorite dressing or toppings to customize it.
Popular dressings include creamy mayo-based, tangy vinaigrettes, or even Asian-inspired sauces like sesame ginger. You can also make your own with ingredients like Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. The key is balancing creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors to suit your taste.
Toss a bag of broccoli slaw mix with ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Homemade broccoli slaw usually lasts 3 to 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. If it’s dressed, it may get soggy over time, so it’s best eaten sooner. For longer freshness, keep the dressing separate until serving.