This Healthy Broccoli Slaw comes together with shredded broccoli, fruit, sunflower seeds, and a tangy yogurt dressing. Quick and easy to make, it’s the perfect side dish for BBQs, cookouts, and weeknight meals!
Not Your Average Broccoli Slaw!
Most slaw recipes come together with a sugar-laden mayonnaise coleslaw dressing, but not around here. Instead, we replace mayonnaise in recipes like broccoli salad and broccoli slaw with a yogurt dressing. Then, we include simple, nutritious ingredients for a sweet, tangy dish with a satisfying crunch.
Loaded with nutrients, this easy broccoli slaw recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, egg-free, nut-free, nightshade-free, and can be made dairy-free, too! Plus, it requires minimal prep time and tastes even better the next day, making it great for meal prep.
Prepare a big batch in advance, and enjoy this slaw at family barbecues, cookouts, or weeknight meals. A long-time Cotter Crunch favorite, it’s always a hit!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information including the calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, calcium, sodium, total time, etc.
For the Yogurt Sauce
- Plain Yogurt (regular) – Substitute vegan mayo for a dairy-free recipe. Just note that the flavor will be tangier, and the dressing will be thicker. Note that using Greek yogurt will result in a thicker dressing, which might be more difficult to mix with the slaw.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This creates a smooth, saucy consistency, allowing the dressing to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Honey – This is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness to balance some of the tanginess of the dressing. Agave syrup also works if preferred.
- Lemon Juice or Apple Cider Vinegar – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best! The acidity adds vibrant, citrusy notes to the dressing. Apple cider vinegar will also work. Both of these acids help to emulsify the olive oil and other ingredients in the dressing, creating a smooth texture.
- Seasonings – Kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, and ground mustard create a subtle savory flavor.
Ingredient Swap: If you don’t have ground mustard two teaspoons of Dijon mustard will also work.
For the Slaw
- Broccoli Slaw – You can typically find bags of broccoli slaw in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store. Or, you can shred the stems from fresh broccoli florets and carrots. (See recipe card below.)
- Mandarin Orange Slices or other Fruit – These add a vibrant fruity taste. You can also substitute blueberries or diced grapes.
- Cilantro – For a vibrant, refreshing taste. Curly parsley makes for a great substitute!
- Dried Cranberries – These are optional but add a nice chewy texture and extra sweetness we love.
- Roasted Sunflower Seeds – Not only do these add a delicious nutty flavor, but the healthy fats allow us to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in the veggies! If you don’t need this recipe to be nut-free, almonds taste great, too.
Personal Nerdy Nutrition Note: I love using yogurt instead of mayo in crunchy veggie salads because it’s fantastic for gut health! The yogurt dressing is packed with probiotics, while the broccoli slaw provides prebiotic fibers that nourish those good bacteria. This combo is a win-win for gut health and tastes delicious.
How to Make Healthy Broccoli Slaw
- Prepare the dressing. Whisk the yogurt, oil, lemon juice, honey, and seasonings in a bowl.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t have bagged broccoli slaw, you can finely julienne or shred three broccoli stems and carrots. Save the broccoli crowns for later use!
- Combine the slaw. Add the broccoli slaw, mandarin oranges, cilantro, cranberries (if using), sunflower seeds, and green onions to a large bowl.
- Combine. Pour the dressing over the slaw, and gently toss to combine.
4. Serve. Toss the slaw one more time, garnish with green onions, and enjoy!
Alternative Method: For a chopped slaw salad, place the broccoli slaw in a food processor and pulse a few times. Then, transfer it back into a large mixing bowl, and add the yogurt sauce and remaining ingredients. This helps create a cohesive texture with the dressing!
More of Our Favorite
Gluten-Free Sides
Common Questions
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this recipe will stay fresh for up to four days. Give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the ingredients!
This recipe pairs well with a variety of protein sources. For a complete meal, try pairing it with options like vegan black bean burgers, shredded chicken, pork chops, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken burgers! Or, use it as a condiment on sandwiches, tacos, and stuffed baked potatoes.
Coleslaw is made with green and/or red cabbage, but cabbage is not coleslaw. And not all slaw recipes, like this broccoli slaw, contain cabbage! Instead, the slaw features a base of shredded broccoli stems and carrots.
Healthy Broccoli Slaw Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 5 to 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Upgrade a classic summer side dish with this sweet and tangy healthy broccoli slaw recipe featuring fresh produce and a yogurt-based dressing. Dairy-free option!
Ingredients
Yogurt Sauce
- ¾ to 1 cup plain yogurt (see notes for dairy free option)
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons honey or agave (optional)
- 1 ½ to 2 Tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- ¾ – 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard or 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
For the Salad
- 16 ounce bag broccoli slaw (see notes for substitute)
- ⅔ cup mandarin orange slices, chopped into smaller pieces once measured (see notes for substitute)
- ½ cup chopped cilantro or curly parsley
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries (optional)
- ¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds
- ⅓ to ½ cup chopped green onion (green portion only) for salad and to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by stirring together the yogurt, oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and cracked pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli slaw mix, mandarin oranges, cilantro, optional cranberries, sunflower seeds, and ⅓ cup green onions.
- Pour in dressing and toss to combine. For a creamier texture and flavor, cover and refrigerate the slaw salad for at least 1- 2 hours before serving.
- Toss the slaw and garnish with remaining green onion before serving.
- Store the broccoli slaw for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
Substitute Tips – ¾ cup mayonnaise may be substituted for the yogurt for a dairy free option, but the taste will vary. Mayonnaise creates a richer vs tangier taste. ½ cup blueberries or diced grapes may be substituted for the mandarin slices. Use 6 broccoli stems (from 3 pounds broccoli, florets reserved for another use), finely julienned or shredded (3 cups) + 1 cup julienned carrots (peeled) for a broccoli slaw alternative.
Texture Tip – For a chopped slaw salad, place the broccoli slaw in a food processor and pulse a few times. Then, transfer it back into a large mixing bowl and add the yogurt sauce and remaining ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Rest Time: 1 hour
- Category: side dish
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 9.6 g
- Sodium: 218.7 mg
- Fat: 10.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.2 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6.1 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg
One of the best salads I’ve ever had!
The salad you make is delicious and delicious. a cool and nutritious dish. suitable for every meal.
Thank you! Very fresh and cool ?
Where does the avocado and or olive oil come into play with this recipe?
Hi Ginny! This is an old Recipe just retested and updated. You might have seen those old ingredients from Pinterest.
That blueberry salad looks so delicious. I’m a big fan of using kefir in my smoothies, but never thought to use it in a salad dressing. Great idea!
http://www.getfitandhealthyathome.com/what-is-kefir/
Why feeling bad?? Plus is good and healthy. Also in our daily life we often cook similar things …with a different twist 🙂
Believe it or not, I still haven’t tried Kefir! This may be the recipe to get me to try it though!!! Looks fabulous!
Lindsay, this broccoli slaw looks delicious! LOVE the blueberries in here!
What a delicious and unique recipe. I love the blueberries in it. I also try to eat plenty of yogurt or kefir to help my immune system.
Thanks for linking up with Meatless Monday! It’s been great connecting!
I love Kefir. This is such a creative recipe – would have never thought to combine slaw and blueberries!
How did you know that slaw/cabbage salad/salads of that sort are my absolutely favorite salads? I pinned this. 🙂 To make… very soon. :))
This salad is gorgeous! I love me some kefir and I’ve never thought to use it this way. Good to hear that everyone is feeling better – it’s never fun ot be out of commission in the summer.
Let me know if you try it! I think you’ll looooooove! 😉
Not to get too technical (nerd alert) but fermentaiton is just the breakdown of sugar into lactic acid and ATP in the absence of oxygen. The bacteria catalyze this process by “eating” the sugar. If oxygen gets into the fermenting food, it oxydizes into CO2 and water, and there’s no lactic acid, aka, none of the “fermented” flavor.
Sceince lesson over. Carry on. 😉
i had a feeling you’d chime in. And i love it!
LOVE the idea of using kefir in a dressing. I never thought of doing that!
it’s so tangy! love it Dani! let me know if you try it
love all of this different flavors in here! You def won’t get bored eating this 🙂
never! so fun too!
Oh my gosh yum! We used to get a bagged salad like this at the store but I wanna try this!
I love broccoli slaw salads..but the addition of blueberries?! Genius! Must add such a great sweet flavor along with the typical dried cranberries.
Xo,
Sarah Grace
totally! a sweet tart and tangy salad is a must during summer, yes?
I can’t wait to make this!!! I wish I could make it for dinner tonight!
Lindsay, this looks so healthy and absolutely delicious.
This would be perfect for the 4th of July BBQ I am going to!
Thanks for sharing friend (and your photos are always so beautiful!)
I feel healthier just looking at this slaw, Lindsay! I’ve seen kefir before in the Baltic countries, but haven’t seen it in the supermarkets here. I hadn’t heard about prebiotics, too … so I’ve learnt quite a bit today!
Really great salad!
I know, right? Kefir is so tangy and perfect with this. YOu’ll love it helen! well, at least i hope so! haha. Keep me posted
I have a “thing” for slaws…love the crunch and the different textures, the sweet and savory combo, and the way that they pair so well with other dishes. I usually use yogurt in lieu of mayo, but I love the idea to try kefir as well! The blueberries add such a great, fresh touch too. SO GREAT for summer! Pinned!
yes, you read my mind! we are so in sync with slaws! haha
Blueberries and bacon sound amazing…but bacon goes with everything, almost like nut butter! Save me some please…xoxo
Yum! This sounds wonderful! I love adding blueberries to savory foods. I put them in a salmon salad I make with goat milk yogurt + avocado. So tasty!
oh goats milk, yes! love it!
I actually have some broccoli slaw in my fridge right now waiting to be used for something… This came at the perfect timing! Sounds refreshing and delicious!
Beautiful photos! I am starting to foodie-geek-out over cultured foods like kefir and sauerkraut (I need to start making my own!) because they taste so good and are oh-so-good for the gut.
oh my gosh you will love making your own! so fun! keep me posted
This looks fantastic! I haven’t made a slaw like this in ages – had one recipe that used greek yogurt, lemon, honey and some herbs. Glad to hear the Kiwi is on the mends!!
I need this in my life…sans nuts of course but this looks amazing!
This is just so pretty!!!
I can’t wait for the day we get to party in the kitchen together. Soooooon!
Glad Kiwi is on the mend. I know that’s so frustrating.
I so want this now!!!!! It looks amazing!!! I could put chicken breast on top & have a wonderful meal too! With or without is perfect!
Another great recipe Lindsay! I’ve never tried Kefir. I think it’s time. Have a wonderful Monday!
Yum! Love broccoli slaw. Adding in blueberries is a great idea.. I’ll have to try this!
What time is your 4th of July picnic, because I will be there if this salad is being served!! Already marked to make this weekend!
I never would have thought to combine blueberries and broccoli but I am definitely intrigued now!!
I’m so glad he’s feeling better- he is so lucky to have you and your healing foods. I love sauerkraut- if I hadn’t grown up with it, I’d probably think it’s gross but I crave it!
OMG Lindsay! This sounds incredible! Broccoli Slaw salad is my FAV and I love that you used kefir in place of mayo. I’m all about those probiotics and fermented foods!! (side note, I totally heard Yoshi’s voice when I read “YAHOO!” Thanks for the little chuckle on a Monday morning!)
haha i love that. good chuckles indeed
Pain meds are killer on the gut, I’m so glad he’s feeling better! And you know I definitely believe you helped him out with your healing meals. I’ve actually never tried kefir but have always wanted to, as you know I love my probiotics! Looks perfect and the addition of berries is awesome.
Sweet Blueberries with a creamy crunchy broccoli slaw sounds delicious! Making this when it’s too hot to turn on the oven.
I adore kefir – but have only ever had it swooshed out of the bottle (I probably shouldn’t share that part) – I’ve never ever thought to have it in anything else – so this slaw/salad has me so intrigued! And WOA- You added in blueberries too! Talk about a partay – right in every mouthful!
I’m not mad at your for bringing this recipe back because I’ve never seen it before and it looks delicioussssss–and YAY for Kiwi on the mend! That’s great news 🙂
Love the addition of the bluberries! This looks delicious.
Lindsay this looks AH-mazing. I will definitely be making this for our weekend cookout! 😀
Kefir used to be my favorite go to for probiotics but now I’m obsessed with kombucha #nutritionnerd Glad the hubs is feeling better!
This reminds me of my Bleu Cheese Apple Slaw (http://www.blondeshavemorerun.com/2015/06/03/wiaw-featuring-bleu-cheese-apple-slaw-recipe/). But the addition of bacon in yours….game changer! Interesting blend of flavors!
Yum yum! I am a big fan of kefir yogurt and love the use of it here in a dressing. I have also had a recent obsession with kefir water and am experimenting with a batch right now.
I have yogurt of some variety every day a) protein b) I love it c) good old bacteria. I’m not as much into kefir but I bet it would be perfect in this application due to the viscosity. And I’ll take all the blueberries, thank you! Glad that Kiwi is improving!
any yogurt will work! just don’t try frozen yogurt. haha
Yum! There are just so many nice things in this slaw. Blueberries and cranberries being two of my most favourite fruits. Plus I’m really intrigued by the combination of your paprika and mustard powder giving it a particularly distinctive flavour!
you can use chili pepper and omit the mustard if you want. But i found a little mustard powder helps make it creamy!
What a power packed recipe! Lindsay! This sounds amazing!!!! I love salads like this, especially with the crunch! This sounds amazing! Did I already say that? I dont care, cause it does!!! Thanks for linking up for meatless monday my friend 🙂
OH there is nothing I hate more than MAYO.
this is perfect for me—and I can confess Ive never eaten or made the ‘slaw before either!