Creamy Broccoli Slaw with Crunchy Apples and Almonds

Crunchy and creamy with a natural sweetness from pineapple, apple, and dried cranberries, this Broccoli Slaw Salad is an easy, fiber-rich side or light meal. A simple poppyseed dressing brings it all together, and the whole recipe comes together in about ten minutes.

Recipe For Broccoli Slaw Salad

Broccoli slaw combines shredded broccoli florets and stalks with shredded carrots and red cabbage. This recipe adds pineapple tidbits and chopped apple for sweetness and texture, and finishes with dried cranberries and walnuts for a touch of chew and crunch. Because broccoli slaw is denser than leaf lettuce, servings are smaller but very satisfying.

This homemade version is reminiscent of prepackaged sweet slaw mixes but uses fresh ingredients and saves money. It’s flexible and pairs well with many dishes or stands alone as a bright, fruity salad.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This salad uses just a few simple ingredients for both the slaw and the dressing, so it’s quick to assemble and easy to adapt.

Broccoli Slaw Salad

• Broccoli slaw – use a 12-ounce bag (about 4 cups). If pieces are large, chop a few to make the texture uniform.
• Pineapple tidbits – drain well; larger chunks can be chopped to match the apple size.
• Apple – a sweet-tart variety such as Gala, chopped smaller than the pineapple pieces.
• Dried cranberries and chopped walnuts – for garnish and added texture.

Slaw Salad Dressing

• Light mayonnaise – keeps the dressing creamy without overpowering the fruit.
• Pineapple juice – use juice from the can of pineapple (in natural juice, not heavy syrup).
• Poppy seeds – add color and a mild nutty note.

Step By Step Instructions

1. Drain the pineapple tidbits thoroughly. Chop the apple into pieces slightly smaller than the pineapple tidbits so the bite sizes match.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the broccoli slaw, drained pineapple, and chopped apple. Stir to distribute the fruit evenly.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup light mayonnaise, 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice, and 2 teaspoons poppy seeds until smooth.

4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.

5. Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the slaw soften slightly. Garnish with dried cranberries and chopped walnuts just before serving. The salad is best eaten within 2–3 days.

Recipe Tips

• Broccoli slaw is sold pre-shredded in many grocery stores near coleslaw mixes; use that for convenience.
• Choose pineapple packed in natural juice rather than syrup to keep this salad lighter and less sweet.
• If you like extra dressing, double the dressing amount and serve some on the side so guests can add more if desired.

Creamy Broccoli Slaw Salad — Quick Reference

• Servings: 8
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Main ingredients: 12 oz broccoli slaw (about 4 cups), 1 cup chopped apple, 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits (juice reserved), 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
• Dressing: 1/3 cup light mayonnaise, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 2 tsp poppy seeds.