Your Go-To Broccoli Slaw Recipe for Busy Days

Of all the salad recipes out there, this sesame-ginger broccoli coleslaw recipe easily ranks as one of our favorites. It’s colorful and bursting with fresh flavors and nutritional value.

Maybe you’re looking to upgrade your usual coleslaw with something healthier or want to diversify your side-dish Rolodex. Or perhaps you need something impressive but quick to bring to a potluck. In any case, this broccoli salad is the kind of dish you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Ahead, we’ll explore the many benefits of this broccoli slaw, break down the star ingredients, and walk you through the simple steps to make it yourself. And if you’d rather dive straight into the broccoli slaw recipe, you can scroll down to the bottom!

What’s so special about this broccoli slaw recipe? It’s nutrient-dense, quick and easy to make, versatile, and packed with flavor.

It’s Full of Protein, Fiber, and Nutritional Goodness

Broccoli, a so-called cruciferous vegetable, is known for its impressive health benefits, like its potential to protect against cell damage, which might play a role in cancer prevention and heart health support. This green vegetable is also a fantastic source of calcium, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K.

Our broccoli coleslaw recipe takes things up a notch with the addition of chicken. 

Lean protein is a critical piece of the weight loss puzzle. It’s essential for building and maintaining muscle strength and can help fill you up efficiently. If you eat a vegan or vegetarian diet, you can swap out chicken with a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh.

Last but not least, the light vinaigrette in our recipe incorporates almond butter, which adds a tasty earthiness and creamy texture while still being less heavy than traditional coleslaw dressing. Plus, it ups the protein levels even more.

It’s Quick and Easy to Make

Whether you want to whip up a quick side dish for yourself or prepare something for a group BBQ or picnic, this broccoli slaw salad has your back.

The instructions are super simple, and it isn’t time-consuming. Even without a pre-packaged bag of broccoli slaw mix, it’s easy to prepare since there’s no cooking involved.

It’s Versatile and Packed With Flavor

Broccoli has a mild bitterness and satisfying crunchy texture, making it a stellar base veggie for slaws. The tangy almond butter vinaigrette also softens the broccoli just enough and gives it a nice, rich flavor.

The green onions, cilantro, and mint toppings bring an extra burst of flavor — so if you think salads or broccoli are boring, this recipe will change your mind.

Plus, our broccoli slaw recipe pairs beautifully with tons of dishes like miso-glazed cod, honey-mustard salmon, or veggie or shrimp tacos. You can also add it to your lunch rotation for a quick, satisfying meal on its own. 

Let’s start with the main ingredients that make up the salad portion of this recipe:

• Shredded, cooked chicken. Besides protein, chicken is rich in vitamins and minerals like niacin and selenium. It makes the slaw more filling and boosts the overall nutritional value of the dish. Opt for pre-cooked chicken to cut back on time in the kitchen.

• Broccoli slaw mix. We love broccoli enough to let it shine on its own, but to spice things up, you could add red cabbage and red onion. And if you can’t find a pre-packaged version of broccoli slaw mix or shredded broccoli, you can use regular broccoli. It just requires an extra step to separate the broccoli florets from the broccoli stalks.

• Green onion. Green onions aren’t just a garnish — they bring a zesty crunch that adds freshness and complexity to your dish. That said, scallions are somewhat mild, so they won’t totally overpower the other ingredients in the dish. Plus, they contain vitamin K and antioxidants.

• Cilantro. Cilantro also helps bring complexity to the salad with citrusy, herbal notes. And, even better, some early research shows it might support a healthy metabolism and immune system.

• Mint. Basically synonymous with freshness, mint has a cooling and refreshing quality that enhances the overall flavor and balances out the earthy and nutty notes in the salad. Mint also contains properties that can help soothe the digestive tract and reduce bloating.

• Mandarin oranges. Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, and their natural sweetness balances the savory elements in the coleslaw. To add even more sweet and tart flavors, sprinkle on some dried cranberries.

• Sunflower seeds. Loaded with fiber, healthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals, sunflower seeds are a superb salad topper. Fiber and protein help you feel full for longer, and their nutty flavor complements the other ingredients while adding a nice crunch.

• Cashews. These nuts stand apart from the rest, mostly thanks to the buttery texture. Cashews are also a great source of healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and copper. Prefer a different nut? Feel free to swap them out with almonds, pecans, or peanuts.

And now, for the ingredients that make up the broccoli slaw dressing:

• Pitted Medjool dates. These are a great unprocessed sweetener to cut through the savory and nutty ingredients for a balanced dressing.

• Almond butter. Almond butter is the hero of this salad dressing. It introduces a creamy texture without dairy products. Not to mention, it delivers healthy fats and protein. Almond butter also has a milder flavor than other nut butters, so it won’t overpower the salad.

• Coconut aminos. This is similar in taste and consistency to soy sauce, though it’s slightly sweeter and gluten-free. It’s made from the sap of coconuts mixed with sea salt.

• Sesame oil. This nutty, earthy oil is the perfect complement to the almond butter, bringing even more depth and richness.

• Ginger. Both spicy and herbaceous, fresh ginger brings a nice tang to contrast the sesame oil and almond butter.

• Garlic. Raw garlic is super pungent and delicious while adding an extra spicy kick. As far as nutritional value, garlic may support heart health and fight inflammation.

• Rice vinegar. Mild and less acidic than other types of vinegar, rice vinegar perfectly balances the other flavors. You could also use apple cider vinegar (ACV) or lemon juice if you don’t have any rice vinegar on hand.

• Black pepper and salt. Season to taste with salt and pepper for the finishing touch!

1. Gather your ingredients and supplies. You’ll need a large bowl for the salad, a small bowl for the dressing, a blender or food processor, and a tablespoon to measure out ingredients. You’ll also need a sharp knife and cutting board if you aren’t using pre-cut broccoli and shredded chicken.

2. Start with your dressing. Place all the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add one to two tablespoons of water or rice vinegar. Then, cover the dressing and put it in the fridge while you prepare the salad.

3. Make the salad. In the large bowl, combine the broccoli slaw mix, chicken, green onion, cilantro, and mint.

4. Toss the salad and top it with extras. Add as much dressing as you’d like and season to taste. Then, add the other toppings like oranges, cashews, and sunflower seeds.

5. Enjoy now, or save it for later. How long does coleslaw last? You can store it in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge for up to five days, or enjoy it right away.

Servings: 5

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Dressing ingredients:

• 3 Medjool dates, pitted (softened by soaking in hot water for 5 minutes)

• 3 Tbsp. almond butter

• 3 Tbsp. coconut aminos

• 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil

• 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

• 2–3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

• 3–4 Tbsp. rice vinegar

Salad ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded, cooked chicken

• 4 cups (pre-packaged) broccoli slaw

• 3 green onion stalks (green and white parts, thinly sliced)

• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped

• ¼ cup mint, chopped

• 1 cup Mandarin oranges, separated into wedges

• ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds

• ½ cup raw cashews, chopped

Instructions:

1. Place all dressing ingredients in a small, powerful blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.

2. Add 1 to 2 Tbsp. of water or vinegar if the mixture is too thick.

3. Cover the dressing and place it in the refrigerator while you prepare the salad.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the slaw mix, green onion, cilantro, and mint. 

5. Toss in as much dressing as you like.

6. Top the salad with the cashews, mandarin oranges, and sunflower seeds.

Here’s how the nutritional info works out for this broccoli slaw recipe.

Kcals (calories): 415

Total fat: 22 grams

Saturated fat: 4 grams

Trans fat: 0 grams

Sodium: 268 milligrams

Total carbohydrates: 26 grams

Dietary fiber: 4 grams

Total sugars: 16 grams

Added sugars: 0 grams

Protein: 28 grams