Need a side dish that comes together faster than your kids can ask, “What’s for dinner?” Meet your new weeknight hero: Quick and Easy Broccoli Slaw. With a satisfying crunch, a little sweetness, and a creamy dressing, this quick slaw recipe is ready to save your meal (and your sanity).

Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a Tuesday night when you just need something green and easy, this crunchy salad is made with just a handful of ingredients and zero stress. It’s a make-ahead side dish that gets better as it chills. What’s not to love?

Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Slaw

This is the slaw that checks all the boxes: fast, flavorful, and full of texture. The tangy dressing balances beautifully with sweet cranberries and nutty walnuts. And because it’s made with packaged broccoli slaw, there’s no chopping required. That’s right—you can be snack-ready in minutes.

Ingredients:

½ cup (120 ml) light mayonnaise
2 tbsp (25 g) white sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) white vinegar
1 package (340 g) broccoli slaw
½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts

How to Make It:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar until smooth.
Add the broccoli slaw, cranberries, and walnuts.
Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover and chill for a few hours or overnight for the best flavor.
Serve cold and enjoy every crunchy bite.

Tips for Slaw Success

Swap in Greek yogurt for a lighter twist.
Toast the walnuts for extra flavor.
Add shredded apple for a fruity crunch.
Make it nut-free with roasted sunflower seeds instead.

How This Slaw Saved My Day

One hectic evening, with nothing but leftovers and a lonely bag of broccoli slaw in the fridge, I threw this together in a flash. My family loved it so much that they asked for seconds before I even sat down. Now it’s our go-to when we need something fresh, fast, and foolproof.

What to Serve with Broccoli Slaw

This versatile side plays nice with everything from burgers and grilled chicken to hearty sandwiches and baked potatoes. It’s also a great contrast to rich main dishes like pulled pork or mac and cheese.

How to Store Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing. This slaw holds up well, making it a great make-ahead side dish for busy weeks.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! It tastes better after chilling for a few hours or overnight.

Is this recipe vegan?
It can be! Just use vegan mayo and you’re good to go.

Can I use another type of vinegar?
Yes—apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar would work nicely.

What is broccoli slaw mix?
It’s usually a mix of shredded broccoli stems, carrots, and sometimes red cabbage—available in the produce section.

The Ultimate No-Fuss Side Dish

This Quick and Easy Broccoli Slaw brings big crunch and bold flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re meal prepping, potlucking, or just trying to add more veggies to your plate, this dish delivers. It’s the crunchy salad you didn’t know you were missing—until now.

Quick and Easy Broccoli Slaw: Your Crunchy Salad Solution

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Author: Olivia Hartwellen
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Quick and Easy Broccoli Slaw is a crunchy, tangy-sweet salad that comes together in minutes. Featuring packaged broccoli slaw, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts in a creamy dressing, it’s the ultimate low-effort, high-flavor side dish perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or summer BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup (120 ml) light mayonnaise
2 tbsp (25 g) white sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) white vinegar
1 package (340 g) broccoli slaw
½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
½ cup (60 g) chopped walnuts

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar until smooth.
Add the broccoli slaw, cranberries, and walnuts.
Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
Serve chilled.

Notes

Substitute Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

Toast the walnuts for a deeper flavor.

Add shredded apple for extra crunch and sweetness.

Make it nut-free with sunflower seeds.

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