Some recipes earn a permanent place on the menu because they’re your favourite, satisfyingly nutritious go-to recipes. Broccoli Crunch Slaw is a cold side dish I make minimum, once a month. Sometimes more.
The Everyday Broccoli Salad You’ll Actually Make
It’s one of those dependable recipes I hardly think about anymore because it’s simply become part of the rhythm of everyday cooking. I call recipes like this survival food—the meals and side dishes you lean on when life gets busy, the fridge is looking a little empty, or you just need something fresh and satisfying waiting for you.
Funny enough, I’ve never shared this recipe before.
Maybe because it felt too ordinary.
But the older I get, the more I realize those ordinary recipes are often the most valuable. They’re the ones we actually make.
Don’t Throw Away the Broccoli Stems
This slaw is built around the whole broccoli—not just the florets. The stems are peeled and grated, adding sweetness, crunch, and absolutely no waste. Tossed together with crisp red onion, crunchy dry-roasted peanuts, and a simple sweet slaw dressing, it becomes a fresh, colourful side that somehow manages to disappear almost as quickly as it’s made.
Sometimes I’ll add a little crispy bacon if I’m serving it with burgers or grilled chicken, but honestly, it’s just as good without it.
It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator, making it perfect for lunches, quick dinners, meal prep, picnics, or those evenings when you simply need vegetables on the table with as little effort as possible.
Simple?
Absolutely.
Boring?
No. There’s a big difference between dependable and boring.
How to Make Broccoli Crunch Slaw
Why You Should Eat those Broccoli Stems
Broccoli stems are one of the most underused parts of the vegetable, yet they’re every bit as nutritious as the florets. Once peeled, the interior is crisp, tender, and naturally sweet. Grating the stems into a slaw adds wonderful texture while reducing food waste, making this recipe both practical and delicious.
Combined with fresh broccoli florets, crunchy peanuts, and a sweet slaw dressing, every bite delivers fibre, healthy fats, and satisfying crunch.
Why I Love It
This is one of those recipes that simply makes life easier. It takes minutes to prepare, keeps well for several days, and pairs with almost anything coming off the grill.
I also love that it uses the broccoli stems instead of throwing them away. They’re sweet, crunchy, nutritious, and one of the most overlooked ingredients in the produce aisle. Waste nothing.
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Broccoli Crunch Slaw
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: serves 6
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
Easy Broccoli Crunch Slaw is and every-day, fast, dependable recipe in my kitchen. Made with broccoli florets, grated broccoli stems, red onion, peanuts, and a creamy sweet slaw dressing. It’s my quick make-ahead side dish for meal prep, picnics, and everyday dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 large heads broccoli (approximately 5 cups)
- 1/2 medium red onion, diced
- 3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (optional)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Zest of one lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Cut the florets into small bite-sized pieces. Peel the tough outer layer from the broccoli stems. Grate the peeled stems using the large holes of a box grater. Add both the florets and grated stems to a large mixing bowl.
- Build the Slaw: Cut then soak your red onion in cold water, ten minutes. Drain. Add red onion.
Add the peanuts. Add the bacon if using, or finish with it, on top. - Make the Dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice and zest (or you can add as a finishing element), apple cider vinegar, and salt until smooth.
- Finish: Pour the dressing over the slaw. Toss thoroughly until evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to develop.
Notes
Let’s talk about sugar. I go as high as ½ a cup of sugar for the slaw dressing for this recipe. It’s that BIG sweetness that makes it popular with kids, and picky eaters. And in the heat of summer, I always make it super sweet and reduce that in the winter months.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully flexible. Try adding:
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Toasted almonds
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped apple
• Shredded carrot
• Sharp cheddar
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Chopping
- Cuisine: American
