As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This vibrant, crunchy broccoli slaw with lemon dressing is a quick, easy, and healthy side dish perfect for cookouts, potlucks, & weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Looking for a quick, easy, healthy side dish sure to impress? This healthy broccoli slaw recipe is sure to do the trick. With just 5 ingredients, plus salt and pepper, this slaw is super crisp and crunchy with a tangy, mayo-free lemon broccoli slaw dressing for a refreshing twist – perfect for potlucks, picnics, and balancing heavy holiday feasts.
Even better, this slaw is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and vegan. Plus, it’s as versatile as it is delicious (keep reading for optional add-ins!) and is the perfect way to use broccoli stalks. And if you love this recipe, you’ll love my shaved Brussels sprout slaw with apples.
Looking for more ways to use up your broccoli? Try out this vegan broccoli salad, easy garlic broccoli stir-fry, broccoli and onion pakora, oven charred broccoli, simple curry roasted broccoli, and creamy vegan broccoli soup.
The Ingredients
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, substitutes, and quantities.
What Could I Add to Coleslaw with Broccoli?
- Sweetener (sweeten the dressing for broccoli slaw with maple syrup/sugar)
- Red onion (or shallots for some sharp zing in the broccoli coleslaw recipe – soak in ice water for 10 minutes for milder flavor)
- Dried fruit (add a little sweetness and chew with raisins or cranberries)
- Toasted nuts/seeds (like slivered almonds, chopped pecans/walnuts, or sunflower seeds/ pumpkin seeds for crunch, protein, and healthy fats)
- Fresh herbs (i.e., green onion, parsley, cilantro, chives, etc.)
- Apple (shredded/julienned for sweet-tart flavor. – like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, etc.)
- Ramen noodles (broken down into small pieces to add extra crunch)
- Red pepper flakes (add to taste, for heat)
- Alternative dressing (like a sweet maple apple cider vinegar dressing – optionally with dairy-free mayo and/or a few dashes of toasted sesame oil)
How to Make Broccoli Slaw
Step 1: First, remove the stems from the broccoli florets (and separate the florets), trim ¼-inch from the bottom of the stem, and use a vegetable peeler to remove any tough outer peel. Then, use a sharp knife to slice the stems into 2-inch matchsticks/slices. Then, transfer those to a large salad bowl.
Step 2: Next, mince the broccoli florets with a knife and add them to the bowl. Then, thinly shred the cabbage by first chopping it into quarters, removing the tough core, and then slicing it thinly with a knife or mandoline. Also, peel and then shred/julienne the carrots. Add both to the salad bowl.
Use a julienne peeler or julienne setting on a mandoline to get the job done even faster.
Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper, then toss it with the broccoli slaw mixture, adding more lemon to taste.
Step 4: Finally, transfer the broccoli cabbage slaw to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to marinate. Taste and adjust the lemon, salt, and pepper once more, then serve – enjoy!
FAQs
Broccoli slaw (aka broccoli coleslaw) is a super fresh and crunchy coleslaw made primarily with shredded/julienned broccoli stalks – which are crispy, crunchy, and slightly sweet. When combined with carrots and cabbage in a creamy or sharp dressing, it makes for a healthy, flavorful side dish.
Once assembled, broccoli coleslaw maintains its crispest texture for 3-4 hours. However, you can prepare the veggies and broccoli slaw dressing separately a day or two before combining the two.
Absolutely! Raw broccoli is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals – like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, calcium, and iron. It’s also packed with antioxidants and plenty of gut-friendly fiber while remaining low in calories.
Cabbage is also nutrient and antioxidant-rich, while carrots add beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin k1, and potassium. The mayo-free lemon dressing is far lighter than other broccoli slaw dressing recipes, with plenty of heart-healthy fats.
Top Recipe Tips
- For quick prep time: A mandoline, food processor shredding disk, or julienne peeler will help cut prep. To save more time, use a store-bought bagged broccoli slaw mix.
- Trim/peel the stalks: The peel can be very woody, tough, and fibrous, so make sure to remove it before slicing the stalks.
- Let it rest: For at least 30 minutes for the flavors to meld and marinate.
Serving Suggestions
This fresh cabbage and broccoli slaw is a popular side for BBQs, potlucks, cookouts, the holidays, or even weekday meals with:
- Vegan burgers and hotdogs (like any of these 9 mouthwatering vegan burger recipes)
- Plant-based sandwiches/wraps (like 20-minute BBQ jackfruit sandwiches or easy hummus tortilla wraps)
- Grain salads (like vegan lemon-garlic Mediterranean quinoa salad, Mediterranean farro salad, or a summer pasta salad)
- Salads (like French potato salad, noodle salad, or vegan Caprese salsd)
- Tofu fried chicken
- Easy lentil loaf
- Over a baked potato
Storage Instructions
Store leftover broccoli and cabbage coleslaw in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days (the veggies soften over time).
Optionally, perk it up between servings with extra lemon juice, salt, and/or pepper.
Broccoli Slaw
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large heads of broccoli with stems
- 2 large carrots julienned
- ¼ of a small red cabbage thinly sliced
Dressing
- 2 lemons
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the broccoli stem from the florets. Place the florets aside.
- Chop ¼ inch from the bottom of the broccoli stems and discard it.
- Lightly peel the stems to remove the thick hard layer.
- Once the stems are ready, thinly slice them to 2 inches long. Place the broccoli stems in a large salad bowl.
- Place the broccoli florets on the cutting board and mince them. Transfer the minced broccoli florets to the salad bowl.
- Add the carrots and cabbage to the salad bowl.
- In a small bowl mix the juice of one lemon, oil, salt, and pepper. Add the dressing to the slaw and mix well. Taste and add more lemon or seasoning to taste.
- Place the broccoli slaw in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving for the flavors to fully mix in with the veggies.
Notes
- For quick prep time: A mandoline, food processor shredding disk, or julienne peeler will help cut prep. To save more time, use a store-bought bagged broccoli slaw mix.
- Trim/peel the stalks: The peel can be very woody, tough, and fibrous, so make sure to remove it before slicing the stalks.
- Let it rest: For at least 30 minutes for the flavors to meld and marinate.
