Honey Free Basil-Pesto Broccoli Slaw
Broccoli slaw gets a serious glow-up here, swapped out of its usual creamy, mayo-heavy comfort zone and dressed instead in a vivid, herb-forward basil pesto that clings to every shredded piece. The dressing is built entirely from fresh basil, good olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, and a whisper of ground ginger — nothing sweet, nothing processed, and absolutely no added sweeteners hiding in the mix. That matters more than you'd think, since so many store-bought slaws and bottled dressings sneak in sweeteners that make them off-limits. Toasted shredded coconut and unsweetened dried cranberries add texture and a gentle tartness that keep things interesting without tipping into sugary territory. The food processor does the heavy lifting for both the slaw and the pesto, so this comes together quickly and with minimal cleanup. A short rest before serving lets the broccoli soften just enough to soak up all that bright green dressing, turning what could feel like a raw veggie bowl into something genuinely craveable. It works as a light lunch, a cookout side, or a meal-prep staple that holds up well as the week goes on.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the slaw
- 1 large head broccoli (about 1 lb), cut into florets and stems trimmed
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (green tops only)
- ¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
Instructions
- 1
Toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool.
- 2
Working in batches if needed, pulse the broccoli florets and stems in a food processor until broken down into small, rice-like pieces roughly the size of a pea — the texture should be coarse and shred-like, not pureed. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
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