My Broccoli Stem Slaw is crisp, colourful and totally delicious. I make it from simple, everyday ingredients and yet every bite of this salad is full of texture and bright flavours, all of which complement each other. It is the perfect side dish to serve with a barbecue, alongside a family dinner or to take on a picnic. It is also ideal to serve alongside a burger or in a sandwich.
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Why we love this recipe:
Firstly – I must implore you – please do not throw your broccoli stems away! They are delicious and there are so many ways and recipes in which to use them. Add them to home-made stock or use them in a stir-fry.
You can cut them into strips as you would carrot or celery, to serve as crudites on a dip platter. Or, as I am suggesting today, use them in a delicious Broccoli Stem Slaw.
Broccoli stems do have a tough, fibrous outer layer which is best to remove. Once this is removed, you will find that the stems have a lovely sweet flavour and their crunchiness adds great texture.
Broccoli has long been touted as a superfood due to its high nutritional content and anti-cancer properties. It is high in fibre, Vitamins C, A and K, Folate and Calcium. In fact, health professionals recommend that we eat it at least twice a week. Therefore, to avoid repetitive dishes, it is important to have a number of ways in which to use it.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise – use good quality, whole egg mayonnaise, either a commercial variety or your own.
- Greek yoghurt – adds a delicious tang to the dressing.
- Dijon Mustard – adds depth of flavour.
- Honey – balances out the flavours. You could also use maple syrup.
- Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt – add to your taste.
Salad:
- Broccoli Stems – when purchasing broccoli, ensure the stems are firm.
- Carrot and Apple – aside from being delicious, add great colour and texture to the dish.
- Lemon Juice – stops the apple from discolouring.
- Dried cranberries – provide colour, great texture and a tangy flavour.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Peel the tough exterior from the broccoli stems with a knife or vegetable peeler and discard.
- Cut the broccoli stalks into matchsticks (julienne). First, slice the stem into thin planks. Then stack them together and slice again to make matchsticks
- Cut the apple into matchsticks, add to a separate small bowl and toss with the lemon juice.
- Peel the carrot and cut into matchsticks using the same method as for the broccoli stem. Add the broccoli stem, carrot and apple to a bowl.
- Mix up your dressing.
- Add your dressing to the vegetables.
- Toss the salad well, and check your seasoning.
- Serve with the dried cranberries sprinkled on top.
Tips for Success and FAQs:
Our Broccoli Stem Slaw is perfect to make after enjoying dishes such as our Broccoli and Bacon Salad or Broccoli and Potato Soup.
It makes a healthy, nutritious salad, with infinite possibilities for you to make it your own. You could add more crunch with the addition of some roasted almond slivers or cashews. Instead of the cranberries, you could use dried cherries, chopped fresh dates or pomegranate arils. Add some lemon zest or finely chopped mint to brighten the flavours. If you would like more spice add more Dijon mustard; if you like a sweeter dressing, add a little extra honey. Always check that the balance of flavours is the way you like it. Personalise this salad to make it your own.
Ensure that you wash and peel the broccoli stems first – remove the tough, fibrous layer, using either a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler. The interior of the stem is beautiful; it varies from the exterior in that it is a soft, pale green.
You can store it in the fridge well-covered for up to three days.
If you want to prepare it in advance, keep the dressing and the salad ingredients separate until about a half hour before serving. After dressing the salad, refrigerate to allow the flavours to blend.
Because the Salad contains mayonnaise, it is not safe to sit out of the refrigerator longer than 2 hours. If you have some leftover, refrigerate it as soon as possible within that time. If you’re serving it outdoors and it’s a warm day, bring the salad out as you’re ready to serve as it could spoil in one hour. Discard the salad after this time.
More delicious recipes for you to try:
There are no boring salads around here! Try some more of our favourite salad recipes which are full of flavour:
- Charred Corn and Black Bean Salad
- Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
- Thai Inspired Prawn Salad
- Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower Salad
- Thai Vermicelli Noodle Salad
- Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
- Pumpkin, Cranberry and Almond Salad
- Sweet and Sour Carrot Salad
- Char-Grilled Zucchini Salad
- Potato Salad with Peas and Mint
- Chargrilled Asparagus with Feta and Mint
- Or view our entire collection of Delicious Salad Recipes here.
I hope you will enjoy this Broccoli Stem Slaw – I would love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Alex xx
This post was originally published in April 2019. It has been updated with new photos and more information. The recipe remains the same.
Broccoli Stem Slaw
Recipe Measurements:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 broccoli stems See Note 1
- 1 large carrot See Note 2
- 1 large apple See Note 2 and 3
- 3 teaspoon lemon juice – freshly squeezed See Note 3
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Dressing:
- ¼ cup whole egg mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yoghurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon honey
- freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- sea salt (add at the last minute) – to taste See Note 4
Instructions
- Wash and peel the broccoli stems, removing the tough, fibrous layer, using either a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler.
- Cut the broccoli stalks into matchsticks (julienne). First, slice the stem into thin planks. Then stack them together and slice again to make matchsticks. See Note 5.Add the broccoli stem matchsticks to a bowl.
- Wash the carrot and cut into matchsticks using the same method as for the broccoli stem. Add to the bowl with the broccoli stems.
- Cut the apple into matchsticks, add to a separate small bowl and toss with the lemon juice. Then, add to the bowl with the broccoli stems and carrot.
- Using the bowl which contained the apple, combine all the dressing ingredients well. Check that the balance of flavours is to your taste.
- Add the dressing to the broccoli, carrot and apple and toss well together. See Note 6.Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to blend together.Season to taste just prior to serving.
- Serve with the dried cranberries sprinkled on top.
Notes
- The broccoli stems weighed 380gm (13 oz) before trimming and 270gm (9.5 oz) after trimming.
- You can peel the carrot and apple if you wish, or just wash well before slicing.
- Tossing the apple with the lemon juice will prevent it from oxidising and discolouring.
- If you would like to add salt, do so just before serving. If done early, the salt will draw moisture from the ingredients, making the dressing watery.
- You could also use a mandoline to julienne the vegetables or use the shredding disc of a food processor. It is better if they are not shredded too finely, some texture is preferable.
- If you’re preparing the salad in advance, prepare the slaw ingredients and the dressing separately. Toss them together about a half-hour before serving to allow the flavours to blend together.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on this recipe serving four people as a side dish. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional Disclaimer:
The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Bree
So simple yet so delicious! My family loved this salad and it was so easy to make!
Alexandra
That’s great news Bree, so glad everyone enjoyed it. 🙂
Jackline A
Oh I love the look of this salad, haha is that odd to say? But I love broccoli salad, so this would be perfect to try! Thanks for sharing!
Alexandra
Hi Jackline, definitely not odd to like the look of the salad. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
brie
Oh my step mom would adore this recipe, I will definitely be sharing it with her. great job
Alexandra
Thank you Brie for sharing the recipe. Enjoy! 🙂
Maysz
Veggie food sounds yum! and it looks easy to made I can’t wait to try this YUMMYYYY!!
Alexandra
Thank you so much, it is very easy to make and is a very healthy salad. Let me know if you try it. 🙂
Amirah Ab
Wow. who would have known? Thank you for this recipe and I would definitely try it out.
Alexandra
Broccoli stems are a great addition; they are sweet and crunchy. I’m glad that you like the recipe; please let me know if you try it. 🙂
Winky lemeric
OMG! Thank you for this idea! I always throw broccoli stems out thinking they’re not good or can’t be eaten! Good thing you shared this recipe! Next time, there will be no more waste.
Alexandra
Thank you for the great feedback. I’m delighted that you have become a broccoli stem convert. 🙂 Just make sure to remove the tough, fibrous exterior – and then enjoy. 🙂
Ritu Sharma
I’ve never tried broccoli stem and carrot slaw, but I’m intrigued for sure.
Alexandra
The broccoli stem is so delicious, sweet and crunchy, it works well in a slaw. Please let me know if you try it. 🙂
Czjai Reyes-Ocampo
I’ve never tried using broccoli stems in a coleslaw before. Great idea, will try this too. 🙂
Alexandra
Thank you, I’m glad that you like the idea. Will be interested to hear how you enjoy it. 🙂
Kenneth Agudo
This looks so healthy and nutritious! I haven’t eaten my lunch. This is mouthwatering!
Alexandra
Thank you Kenneth, I’m so pleased that you like the recipe. Please let me know if you make it. 🙂
Lyosha
Looks delicious and the colors of products is making me feel happy. Broccoli – yes please, two
Alexandra
Hi Lyosha, thank you for your lovely comment. I also love food that is colourful, please let me know if you make it. 🙂