Easy Healthy Broccoli Slaw with Lime Tahini Dressing

This easy healthy broccoli slaw with lime tahini dressing recipe is brimming with savory, crunchy, fresh salad bites and creamy dressing with a dash of spice.

Get ready for your new favorite way to enjoy raw broccoli! Even broccoli stems can't resist the flavor of this easy vegan side dish recipe. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

✔ Quick lime tahini dressing adds zesty flavor without vegan mayo, sour cream, or added oil. 

✔ Healthy, dairy-free, and filled with all the nutrients broccoli delivers (and it’s a lot).

✔ ​An entirely new twist on more traditional broccoli salad with dried cranberries and bacon bits.

✔ A perfect side dish for quick meals, picnics, or your next barbeque. 

Ingredients, Notes, and Substitutions

Broccoli. Choose a large head of fresh broccoli. This slaw is all about shredded stems of broccoli, so skip the more expensive broccoli crowns. A bag of broccoli slaw from the grocery store will also work. 

Tahini. Tahini, the sesame paste we love in hummus, makes a creamy dressing that's easy to make. Look for tahini that doesn't contain added oil. 

Lime juice. Use 1-2 fresh limes if you have them. Otherwise, use the prepared kind. Lemon juice with a few drops of maple syrup or extra date paste can be used, although it won't have the same flavor.

Date paste. Date paste, or date syrup, is a great way to add healthy sweetness. You can also use maple syrup or another liquid sweetener. 

Hot sauce. A dash of hot sauce spices the dressing. I used Tabasco, but any will do. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper. Ground black pepper will add a little warmth if you don't want it to be too spicy. 

Green onions. (scallions). Use ¼ of a cup of finely chopped red onion or shallots as a substitute. 

Peanuts. Add lightly salted peanuts, roughly chopped. Crunchy sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are good nut-free options. 

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

Recipe Variations

Add shredded carrots or red cabbage to the slaw mixture with the crisp broccoli to add notes of color. Extra veggies, like zucchini or diced radishes, can be added in moderation without the need for extra dressing. 

​Make a classic coleslaw with a variety of cabbage instead of broccoli. The versatile dressing makes a tasty side dish. And you can always make broccoli slaw next time. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients. If the dressing is too thick, water, a little at a time, to thin it. 

Step 2: Cut the broccoli florets and place them in a large bowl. Cut the end off the stalks and shred them using a box grater or food processor. 

Step 3: Add the salad ingredients to the bowl along with the broccoli and mix well. Reserve a few peanuts as a garnish if desired. 

Step 4: Stir in the dressing, garnish with a few peanuts and chopped mint. Serve immediately, or let the flavors mingle for up to 30 minutes. 

Pro Tips

Make sure the broccoli is dry before mixing in the rest of the ingredients and dressing. Use a few paper towels and press them after shredding if necessary. 

In addition to using a box grater or shredding attachment to your food processor, there are 2 other ways to make this broccoli slaw salad recipe: 

Julienne. This means cutting into thin strips. This method requires the most patience, but you only need a sharp knife and board to accomplish the task. 

Mandoline. If you have a grater blade for your mandoline, you can shred the stalks quite quickly. Despite having one for years, I am still intimidated by my mandoline. Please be careful if you use one. The blade is super-sharp!

Serving Suggestions

Creamy slaw is a great side dish for veggie burgers or lentil sloppy joes. We recently used this slaw as a lentil and rice taco meat taco topper. And yep, it was delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions