Broccoli Kale Apple and Cranberry Slaw will make veggie-eating so fun you will want to do it over and over again. And it will not just be for the health benefits.
This is the latest yummy veggie dish that I’m currently loving with all my heart. It’s also a little festive (hello, apples and cranberries!), does not require any cooking, and of course, healthy and good for you (I mean, broccoli and kale, duh)!
It is the perfect side to your main dinner courses. In addition, it is a holiday side that you can make ahead of time and put it in the refrigerator while you make everything else.
The lightness of this is PERFECT to offset those yummy but heavy casseroles and pies – makes you leave Thanksgiving dinner feeling like you ate at least one thing light and healthy.
Inspiration
The inspiration for this Broccoli Kale Apple and Cranberry Slaw dish is Trader Joe’s Broccoli and Kale Slaw. It is one of my favorite sides to get from the store. If you’ve had that before, think of this as Trader Joe’s Broccoli and Kale Slaw’s fall/winter cousin.
Okay. That doesn’t make much sense, but just hang with me for a second 😉 .
It has a very similar dressing, broccoli and kale are the main ingredients, along with slivered almonds. The crunchy apples and dried cranberries brings a pop of sweet, and makes it Fall-is, winter-ish, and a bit festive.
Lots of crunch, lots of textures. And that dressing. Okay. Let’s talk about THAT dressing.
How to make the dressing
I created a light dressing that is very similar to my Light Raisin Coleslaw dressing. It is mayo (use good mayo!) and vinegar based, with a hint of lemon juice. It is tangy, sweet, lightly creamed, a hint of savory. It blends well with the earthy flavors of the broccoli and kale.
Use a whisk or hand-held mixer to mix the ingredients for the dressing together until it is nice and smooth before pouring them all over the veggies!
How to make Broccoli Kale Slaw
I bought ready-shredded broccoli and carrot mix from Trader Joe’s because I was NOT in a broccoli-shredding mood.
I got my shredded broccoli from Trader Joe’s, and it has little bits of shredded carrots in them. I could not find the ready-shredded version in my regular HEB that doesn’t come with a slaw dressing.
If you cannot find it, slice up the stalk portion of your broccoli. This is also a way cheaper option. You can shred carrots to it, or omit the carrots if it is too much work.
As for the kale, give it a good chop. Kale is a super nutritional vegetable but can sometimes get a bad rep because some people do not like it. I don’t love all the ways kale is prepared, but I do love a good, solid vinegar-based sauce or dressing on kale. Kale and vinegar (and some sugar) is totally the way I eat my kale.
Pro-Tip
Pro-tip on slivered almonds. If you do not need a lot of slivered almonds and don’t want to buy a whole box of it, get it from the bulk section at your grocery store. The beauty of this is you can decide how much (or little) you want. This makes buying ingredients that you don’t use often very affordable!
When I think of making vegetables in the Fall or winter, I think of vegetables steamed, cooked in a casserole, thrown into soups… They can taste pretty good that way, but sometimes I still want something fresh, crunchy and full of flavor.
Enter Broccoli, Kale, Apple and Cranberry Slaw. It’s the best guys. So easy as well!
How to serve and store
If you are making this ahead of time, especially for a holiday meal, separate the dressing from the vegetables and mix them together whenever you are ready to serve.
For storing purposes, dressing and veggies are best stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If they are already combined, store in refrigerator and consume within 24 hours to prevent it from getting too soggy.
Other yummy slaw and salad recipes
If this looks yummy to you, don’t forget to also check out my Light Raisin Coleslaw, Greek Cucumber Salad, Asian Salmon Salad, Caesar Pasta Salad or my blogger friend, Katherine’s Roasted Butternut Squash and Cranberry Salad!
Enjoy this yummy Broccoli Kale Apple and Cranberry Slaw! Let me know what you think in the comment box below, and tag a picture of your creation on Instagram at #joyousapron!
Wait. Where’s the apple?
Ooops! I just added to the recipe card. Thank you for letting me know!
totally forgot to put the apple part into the ingredient list and process, but I see it in the pics! Almost forgot to buy them! Can’t wait to try this recipe though! looks delish.
Hi Jen! Please let me know how it goes when you try it! 🙂
broccoli,kale,apple and cranberry all are healthy ingredients. Definitely I will try this recipe.
Thank you Janice! Let me know what you think when you try it!
Hi, what kind of apples did you use in this recipe?
Any kind would work! If you like it sweeter avoid using the green apples!