Broccoli slaw is a fresh, crunchy, and colorful side dish that’s as delicious as it is easy to make. It’s a fun twist on traditional coleslaw, using shredded broccoli stems as the star ingredient instead of cabbage. With its crisp texture and vibrant flavors, broccoli slaw has become a favorite at picnics, barbecues, and weeknight dinners alike.
This slaw combines shredded broccoli with carrots and sometimes purple cabbage, creating a rainbow of colors on your plate. What really makes it shine is the dressing. Typically, it’s a creamy blend of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, a touch of sugar or honey for sweetness, and a little Dijon mustard for tang. Some versions swap the mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier option.
One of the best things about this slaw salad is how versatile it is. You can toss in extras like dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, toasted almonds, or pumpkin seeds for added crunch and flavor. Some people even like adding chopped apples or raisins to bring a hint of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy dressing.
It’s not just a side dish either. Broccoli slaw makes a fantastic topping for pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, or tacos, adding that crisp, refreshing bite that balances out richer meats. You can also stir it into grain bowls or serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish for a quick, nutritious meal.
Beyond its great taste, broccoli slaw is a healthy choice. Broccoli is packed with fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants, making this dish as nourishing as it is tasty. Plus, since it holds up well in the fridge, it’s an excellent make-ahead dish for meal prep or gatherings.
Whether you’re looking for a way to use up broccoli stems or just want a crunchy, flavorful salad, broccoli slaw fits the bill. It’s simple, fresh, and endlessly customizable – a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets finely chopped
- 1 cup carrots shredded
- 0.5 cup red cabbage shredded
- 0.25 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, carrots, and red cabbage.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the slaw mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition
Not a fan of this one. The vinegar was too much for me.
Eh, just ok. I usually like coleslaw but this didn’t do it for me.
I totally get that! It’s not for everyone. Maybe try a different dressing next time?
My kids loved it! Even my picky eater ate some. Yay!
This slaw is super easy to make! Love it!
I think the honey made it too sweet. I’d cut back on it next time.
I actually loved the sweetness! Honey gives it a nice kick. Why not try it with less honey and then just add a bit later if you want? Everyone’s taste is different! 😊
I added some sunflower seeds for a crunch! So good!
Broccoli salad? Sounds weird. I don’t know about that.
I used white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. Tasted good!
I loved it! The flavors melded really well after chilling. Will make again.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Chilling really does bring out the best flavors. 😊
This recipe is a total game changer for lunch! So quick and easy!
Broccoli slaw? Sounds like a Miss. But this was actually good, glad I tried it!
This salad is so fresh and crunchy! Loved it!
Totally agree! This salad is the best! One of my faves.
I don’t like mayonnaise, so I skipped it. Wasn’t great without it. Meh.
Broccoli in a slaw? Sounds odd. But it was actually tasty. Who knew?!
Y’all love this recipe! I mixed in some raisins too, big hit in my house. Ur recipe is amazing!
I didn’t chill it long enough and the flavors didn’t meld. It was still good, but kinda flat. Time matters with this one.
How long does the slaw keep in the fridge? I don’t wanted to waste leftovers.
Not sure about mixing honey and mayo. Seemed weird to me. Mine turned out a bit weird.
I totally understand! Honey and mayo do sound kinda strange together at first. But trust me, it adds a nice sweet touch! Hope you give it another try!
This slaw is fire!! 🔥 Can’t believe I ever bought pre-made stuff.
Tasted good but my kids wouldn’t eat it. They just like fries!!
Mine came out kinda watery. I think my mayo was low-fat and my veggies were more wet than I thought. Next time I’ll squeeze the cabbage a bit.
I made this for a BBQ side and everyone went back for more. Didn’t even miss the usual creamy coleslaw sweetness.
This slaw is a game changer! I added some nuts for crunch. Yum!
Why honey in slaw? Seems wrong but I tried anyway. It’s edible though, just not the flavor profile I like.
This was easy and refreshing! I added some sunflower seeds for crunch. Yum!
Too salty for my taste 😕. I’ll use less next time.
The dressing tasted slightly sweet at first, but after the 30 minutes it mellowed. Still a tasty side—nice balance.
I added some nuts like walnuts and it was super good! But is honey really necessary?
Honey is not necessary! You could just use more vinegar or something if you want tangy. Don’t need to follow every recipe to the T!
Adding nuts sounds delicious! Walnuts give it a nice crunch. As for the honey, I think it’s important for balancing the flavors, but you can skip it if you prefer it less sweet.
I don’t like mayo. Can I use yogurt instead? Let me know if it will still taste good.
I dunno, I think mayo is kind of important for this recipe. Yogurt might make it weird. Just try with mustard instead, it’s way better!
Yes, you can use yogurt instead of mayo! It will definitely change the taste a bit, but it should still be good and maybe even healthier.
Not bad but also not my favorite. I prefer regular coleslaw. Sorry!
How is this healthy? It’s got mayo in it! Don’t believe the hype.
But it’s still mayo! Can’t be healthy with that, right? Did you even count calories?
Mayo doesn’t have to be unhealthy! It’s all about moderation. This slaw has lots of fiber from the veggies!
Didn’t have red cabbage, so I subbed with green. Still tasted great!
Good flavor, but I think 1/4 cup mayo might be a little much for my taste—next time I’ll cut it down and add a touch more vinegar.
This turned out super fresh and crunchy. The honey-vinegar combo is perfect—tastes way better than plain mayo slaw. I chilled it a whole hour and it was even better.
It was okay, but I think it needed something more… maybe garlic?
Just 4 ingredients and so crunchy! Great summer dish. 🌞
This recipe is amazing! So simple and refreshing for the hot weather! 😍
3 stars. It was fine, but I didn’t feel like the flavors melded enough in only 30 minutes. Also I didn’t have apple cider vinegar so I used white vinegar—maybe that’s why.
I only chilled it like 20 minutes and it still tasted good, but I can tell 30+ would make it even better. Next time I’m measuring the honey more carefully.
OMG so easy and crunchy lol. I used less salt and added garlic powder—10/10.
Yes!! The crunchy factor is real 😄 I usually add a little garlic too—so good with the honey-vinegar dressing.
I was skeptical about raw broccoli slaw, but wow it worked. The dressing clings well and doesn’t get watery. My family asked for the recipe.
Simple and delish! Perfect side for a BBQ. Will make again!
So crunchy and fresh! The honey + vinegar combo is chef’s kiss. I let it chill longer than 30 min and it got even better.
Honestly this tastes like a healthier version of regular slaw. I added a pinch of garlic powder and it was perfect.
Idk… I followed it and it felt boring. Maybe my honey was too mild? Also I chopped everything too big so it was crunchy but awkward lol.
Pretty good, but I think 1 tbsp honey might be a bit much if your cabbage is already sweet. Next time I’ll do 2/3 tbsp and see. Still a nice quick side.
Pretty good and easy. I used pre-shredded cabbage because I was lazy. Kinda watery after chilling, but I think that’s just my cabbage.
I’m skeptical about mayo with broccoli… but wow. The cabbage helps a lot and the honey balances everything. Will make again.
I followed it pretty closely, just added a bit of sunflower seeds on top. Really fresh-tasting—great with BBQ. Will make again!
My dressing was kinda thick, like it wouldn’t coat evenly until I added a splash of water. Still tasty, just needs a little tweaking.
That makes sense—mayo-based dressings can thicken up pretty fast. A splash of water (or a little extra vinegar/honey) to loosen is totally reasonable. I’m glad it was still tasty!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using mayo with vinegar and honey, but it actually works. I added a pinch of garlic powder too—highly recommend.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using so little mayo, but it actually works. I used regular cider vinegar though, and it was fine.
Meh. I think too much honey? Tasted kinda weird to me. I’ll stick with my old coleslaw recipe.
This came out super crunchy and not too sweet. The vinegar-honey combo is perfect—will definitely make again for potlucks.
That vinegar-honey combo really is the secret! I’ve made something similar and it’s always a hit at potlucks—good call chilling it too.
Mmm crunchy sounds awesome. I might cut the mayo a bit next time tho—mine usually comes out a lil too tangy if I dont measure right. Also do you chop the broccoli super tiny? mine was kinda chunky 😅
This turned out way better than I expected. The honey + vinegar combo is perfect, and the slaw stayed crunchy after chilling.
Not bad, but my dressing came out too thick. Maybe my mayo was extra thick or I whisked too fast. Still tasty though.
The vinegar really pops—almost tangy-sour. If you like sweet coleslaw, you might want a bit more honey.
Totally agree—the vinegar tang really wakes it up. I didn’t expect it to be that noticeable, but it’s honestly great.
Not bad, but my slaw tasted kinda bland until I added more salt. Also I used regular vinegar and it was sharper—probably need apple cider vinegar specifically.
Totally get that—slaw can taste flat until it’s properly salted. I usually add a pinch extra and let it chill longer so the flavors round out. And yes, apple cider vinegar tends to be less harsh than regular white vinegar.