Description

This broccoli slaw recipe with cranberries and sunflower seeds offers an irresistible crisp texture and a delightful sweet-tart pop, making it a vibrant, healthy, and family-friendly side dish perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces pre-shredded broccoli slaw mix
0.5 cup dried cranberries
0.25 cup sunflower seeds
0.5 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or sugar)
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Creamy Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 0.5 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sweetener, 0.5 teaspoon salt, and 0.25 teaspoon black pepper until smooth and well combined. If it appears too thick, splash in 1-2 teaspoons of water or milk to thin it slightly. Taste and adjust for your preferred balance of sweet and tangy.
Add the Crunch and Chew: Stir in 0.5 cup dried cranberries and 0.25 cup sunflower seeds into the dressing. Make sure they are evenly coated, creating a colorful, textured mix.
Combine with Slaw: Add one 12-ounce bag of pre-shredded broccoli slaw mix to the bowl. Gently fold the dressing into the broccoli slaw until all the broccoli shreds, cranberries, and seeds are thoroughly coated. Use a sturdy spatula for easy mixing.
Chill for Flavor: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully and the slaw to chill thoroughly. The color will deepen slightly. Taste before serving and adjust seasoning if needed. No time to chill? Serve immediately for a perfectly crisp (though less melded) experience.

Notes

For variations, use raisins or chopped apricots for cranberries, or pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds for sunflower seeds. Substitute plain Greek yogurt or vegan mayonnaise for a lighter or dairy-free option, or a sugar substitute for lower-carb. Boost protein by adding 0.5 cup cooked, shredded chicken or canned chickpeas. While chilling is recommended for melding flavors (30-60 minutes), the slaw can be served immediately. Always check freshness of ingredients like slaw mix, cranberries, and seeds. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 0.75 cup (approx 100 g)
Calories: 200 calories
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 220 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 2.5 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 7 mg

Keywords: easy, vibrant, broccoli slaw, cranberry, sunflower, crunch, family-friendly, healthy, meal prep, side dish, weeknight