Easy Broccoli Slaw with Creamy Homemade Dressing
This easy Broccoli Slaw recipe is an awesome summer side dish! Apples and crisp broccoli slaw are mixed with chopped jalapeno, cilantro and a creamy, tangy dressing.
The inspiration for this broccoli slaw salad came from a local BBQ restaurant here in Kansas City. One of their side dishes is a jalapeno apple coleslaw, and it’s delicious! It covers all of the flavor notes, spicy pops of jalapenos, sweet and crunchy apples, and a tangy creamy dressing! I decided to adapt their recipe to use in this easy broccoli apple slaw recipe.
Using broccoli instead of cabbage is a nice change and adds different textures to this recipe. I think the crunchy and sweet veggies are the perfect combination with the tangy dressing! This recipe is definitely an easy crowd-pleaser! You can enjoy it year round, but I think it’s best in the warm summer months paired with some taste barbecue.
So, what is broccoli slaw made of? Well, it’s just shredded broccoli stems cut into thin matchsticks! You can find it bagged in the produce section of most grocery stores, or you can make your own using discarded broccoli stalks and a box grater! Just save them the next time you’re cutting off broccoli florets for dinner instead of throwing your fresh broccoli stems in the trash.
I have tons of slaw recipes on the site here at Blackberry Babe! Try these: Classic Coleslaw with Vinegar Dressing | Cilantro Lime Coleslaw | Cabbage Radish and Apple Cole Slaw
Substitutions and Additions
This broccoli apple recipe is super versatile! I think the best kind of recipes are the ones that use ingredients you already have at home. Here are a few ingredient substitution suggestions, as well as some ideas for ingredient additions:
- Substitute green cabbage or red cabbage for some or all of the shredded broccoli.
- Substitute lemon juice for the lime juice. Or use a mild vinegar of your choice.
- Use sweet apples like Honeycrisp. You can also use a tart apple like Granny Smith.
- Instead of, or in addition to the cilantro, use green onions
- Substitute any variety of onion or shallot for the red onion.
- Substitute honey or maple syrup for the sugar inn this recipe.
- Substitute vegan mayo or unflavored Greek yogurt for the mayo if needed.
- Add a squeeze of Dijon mustard to the coleslaw dressing.
- Top with crunchy sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Add dried cranberries, golden raisins or any dried fruit you have available
- Add bacon bits for crunch and salty flavor.
Also, you can omit sugar completely to make the recipe low carb and keto friendly.
Love broccoli? Try out Crunchy Broccoli Salad | Cranberry Broccoli Salad
Serving Suggestions
This crunchy broccoli slaw is the perfect side dish with mango salsa chicken, BBQ chicken, chicken sopas or pork steaks! It’s also a wonderful topping for pulled pork, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled hot dogs, or on top of fish tacos or a fish sandwich.
I use it anywhere I’d use traditional coleslaw, but I like to serve this recipe chilled if possible.
Storing Leftover Creamy Broccoli Slaw
Store leftover broccoli coleslaw in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Serve cold.
I hope that you love this broccoli apple slaw! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments below.
Creamy Apple Broccoli Slaw
Ingredients
Slaw ingredients:
- 12 ounces broccoli slaw mix, or shredded broccoli stems
- 1 apple, sliced into thin matchstick pieces
- 1/4 red onion, sliced thin
- ¼ jalapeno, seeded and diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the broccoli slaw dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine apple, broccoli slaw, jalapeno and cilantro in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients and whisk well to combine.
- Add dressing to apple and broccoli mix. Toss well to combine. Allow to rest in the refrigerator until serving.
- Serve cold.
Notes
So yummy! The apples are a secret ingredient that add crunch and just a hint of sweetness.
Thank you for the recipe! I made blackened shrimp tacos tonight and used this slaw for the filling! I tweaked it just a bit and used 2/3 cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt and a tablespoon of mayo. It was a perfect combo and just the right amount of dressing, I kept everything else the same , except I added just a teaspoon of local raw honey. OMG!!! Sooooo good!!!!! 🥰
That sounds delicious Laurie! Thank you for sharing the tweak with the Greek yogurt, I will try that the next time I make it!
Now if I have been able to verify that love enters the kitchen, your recipes make me fall in love, this apple salad recipe with broccoli and cream is a delight, you are a blessing from God !!!!! Kisses from Venezuela.
Can ‘t wait to try this! I like the no sugar option.
You will like it! And you can definitely omit the jalapenos!