A broccoli coleslaw recipe that uses the stems so not to waste any part of broccoli. Slathered with a blue cheese dressing it makes a delicious salad and side dish.
I never had thought of using the broccoli stem in recipes and used to chuck it away after trimming my broccoli. Then I read about using it in salads, often in place of raw cabbage, so gave it a whirl. Well, what a revelation to me this was. I loved the flavour and it is similar to cabbage and not as "broccoli" as I thought it would be. It has a nice crunch too. So, what better dish to play around with it then the humble coleslaw. I used a blue cheese dressing for this but you could use your usual coleslaw dressing instead. I shall never throw away the stems again!
How to Use Broccoli Stems
I used my spiralizer on the stems, but you could grate them too. Grated, they look very much like cabbage and would be a great addition to a stir fry. I kept the ingredients in this coleslaw fairly simple, but you could add additional ingredients such as sliced spring onions or some grated carrot too. Or whatever else you like in your coleslaw.
OTHER COLESLAW RECIPES:

Broccoli Stem Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 3 stems broccoli
- ½ red pepper
- 1 cup Red cabbage finely shredded
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Either use a spiralizer or grater on the broccoli stems to shred them.
- Add them in a bowl with red cabbage and pepper.
- To make the dressing, mash the blue cheese with half of the apple cider vinegar until smooth. Then add the remaining dressing ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the dressing over the coleslaw and stir thoroughly.
- Cover and set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to develop.
- Eat and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Sophie33
What a genius healthy tasty idea! 🙂 I am making this salad this afternoon! Yum!
Divalicious
Thanks Sophie! Hope you find it tasty!
lucyshewellphd
Good idea. And the blue cheese dressing sounds really good too.
Divalicious
Thanks Lucy!
cookingtrips
Great idea ! I have to admit I never thought about this either ! all those wasted broccoli stems, that's such a pity ! I am using them for stir-fry though, but really never even consider it for coleslaw... thanks for the tip !!
Divalicious
Glad it's not just me! All those years of throwing the stems away!
cookingtrips
Well, keep experiencing and telling us ! I just joined your Facebook by liking your Page, it looks great and all the posts look nice and useful 🙂 I just started a Facebook page too (a few days ago), it's called Cooking Trips and it's open to anyone as well 😉 Sorry I have to go, my eyes just met your pictures of Kale Frittata and Carrot Ginger Peanut salad, i MUST go and check out both of your posts !!!
Divalicious
Good choices...I almost lived off the carrot salad for a week when I first made it! Thanks for liking my Facebook page...there's more postings and silly stuff on there! Will check out your Facebook too!
cookingtrips
cool, thanks ! I'm all about exchanging ideas and experiences, so I'm glad we get to share our pages, you're inspiring and refreshing, and so are your dishes (i.e. this broccoli salad).
Divalicious
Awwh! Thanks!