Five fabulous quick-and-easy broccoli slaw salads

While I don't buy much prepared food -- too much salt, too many additives -- I have absolutely no problem buying convenience foods when they're going to save me time in the kitchen. One of those products, broccoli slaw, tops the list, and I use it in salads all summer long.

Just like cabbage-based cole slaw mix, broccoli slaw (a blend of julienned carrots and broccoli stems) absorbs almost any dressing. And it loves mix-ins, like nuts, fruit, shrimp or tofu. Toss broccoli slaw with a vinaigrette, yogurt, or some lemon or lime; all are tenderizers and will soften the broccoli the longer the salad sits in the dressing. Use your imagination, and poke around in the pantry; you're sure to come up with your own creative combinations! Here are five of my (meatless) favorites, beginning with broccoli slaw salad with peanut-mango-Sriracha dressing, in the photo above. Add some leftover grilled chicken for an irresistible main course salad, and add extra Sriracha if you dare.

Double broccoli salad with almonds and Sriracha yogurt dressing combines broccoli slaw with chopped broccoli florets, for extra added dark leafy green goodness.

Curried apple and pecan broccoli slaw pairs so well with grilled fish or lamb.

Broccoli slaw salad with honey-mustard yogurt dressing gets a touch of sweetness from golden raisins.

Broccoli slaw salad with cranberries, almonds and yogurt dressing feels right at home in a picnic basket, and equally perfect on the Thanksgiving table. Swap in dried blueberries for a different flavor. This is a salad for all year round.

Need more ideas for how to create salads with pizzazz? Get Dress Up Your Salad, my e-book packed with easy mix-and-match recipes, full-color photos and a few fun videos. Exciting salad recipes from everyday ingredients can be just one click away, on any computer, tablet or smart phone, with the FREE Kindle Reading app. Click here to learn more.

Double broccoli salad with almonds and Sriracha yogurt dressing combines broccoli slaw with chopped broccoli florets, for extra added dark leafy green goodness.

Curried apple and pecan broccoli slaw pairs so well with grilled fish or lamb.

Broccoli slaw salad with honey-mustard yogurt dressing gets a touch of sweetness from golden raisins.

Broccoli slaw salad with cranberries, almonds and yogurt dressing feels right at home in a picnic basket, and equally perfect on the Thanksgiving table. Swap in dried blueberries for a different flavor. This is a salad for all year round.

Need more ideas for how to create salads with pizzazz? Get Dress Up Your Salad, my e-book packed with easy mix-and-match recipes, full-color photos and a few fun videos. Exciting salad recipes from everyday ingredients can be just one click away, on any computer, tablet or smart phone, with the FREE Kindle Reading app. Click here to learn more.

Comments

Curried slaw sounds great. And I agree, convenience foods are in, I love frozen chopped onions, frozen pepper strips and grated garlic.

Mary, that phrase from some old cooking show, "take a little help from the grocery store" -- I believe in it!

I'm not above buying a few garnishes from the salad bar, either!

Lori, same here!

I love all these salads. I still can't get broccoli slaw at my store, but I buy it when I go to Trader Joe's!

Kalyn, I'm grateful that broccoli slaw has become a regular fixture in the produce section of my supermarket. And I'm eating tons more broccoli as a result!

I can't wait to try the slaw with peanut-mango-sriracha dressing! I have been on a slaw kick - it has such great flavors and textures. Your red cabbage slaw with peanuts, scallions, and mint is such a favorite in our house that I have to make double batches - I have a feeling the same will be true of this!