15-Minute Crunchy Asian Broccoli Slaw

Prep: 10 min4 servingsmedium
Crunchy Asian Broccoli Slaw with Toasted Ramen

A fresh, crunchy coleslaw built on broccoli slaw mix with crispy ramen noodles, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds tossed in an Italian-Asian dressing. The contrast of textures—tender broccoli, snappy ramen shards, and nutty toppings—makes this a bright side dish or light lunch. Serve immediately after assembling to preserve the noodles' crunch. This version skips heavy mayo-based dressings in favor of Italian vinaigrette with ramen seasoning, keeping it lighter and more versatile for weeknight dinners or potlucks.

VeganVegetarianDairy-Free

Ingredients

4 servings
  • ½ cup Italian salad dressing
    Asian vinaigrette (rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger)1:1vegan

    Makes dressing fully Asian-forward; removes dairy if using cream-based Italian

  • 3 oz ramen noodles, uncooked
  • 1 lb broccoli coleslaw mix
  • 2 whole green onions, sliced
  • ¼ cup almonds, toasted
    cashews or peanuts1:1nut-free option: sunflower seeds

    Maintains crunch and nuttiness

    Full guide →
  • ⅛ cup sesame seeds, toasted
    hemp seeds or sunflower seeds1:1veganallergen-friendly

    Keeps earthy, nutty profile

    Full guide →
  • 1 packet ramen noodle seasoning

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix Italian salad dressing with the ramen noodle seasoning packet until smooth.

  2. 2

    Break ramen noodles into bite-sized pieces and place in a serving bowl.

  3. 3

    Just before serving, add broccoli coleslaw mix, sliced green onions, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds to the bowl.

  4. 4

    Pour dressing mixture over and toss gently to coat.

  5. 5

    Serve immediately.

Tips

Tip 1

Assemble no more than 15 minutes before serving; ramen noodles will absorb dressing and soften quickly.

Tip 2

Toast almonds and sesame seeds yourself for fresher flavor and better texture control than pre-toasted versions.

Tip 3

Use two types of Italian dressing (Kraft and Tuscan) as in the source for deeper herbaceous notes, or pick one for simplicity.

Good to Know

Storage

Store dressing separately in an airtight container up to 5 days. Keep coleslaw mix and ramen uncoated in separate sealed containers up to 3 days. Do not combine before serving.

Make Ahead

Prepare dressing, toast nuts and seeds, and chop onions up to 1 day ahead. Assemble slaw only just before serving.

Serve With

Serve as a side to grilled chicken, fish, or pork. Works as a light lunch bowl with added chickpeas or tofu.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Mix components too far in advance to avoid noodles absorbing dressing and turning soft.

Watch

Skip toasting almonds and sesame seeds to avoid flat, stale flavors.

Watch

Use raw ramen noodles straight from the package to maintain maximum crunch.

Substitutions

Vegan Options

Italian salad dressing→
Asian vinaigrette (rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger)1:1vegan

Makes dressing fully Asian-forward; removes dairy if using cream-based Italian

sesame seeds→
hemp seeds or sunflower seeds1:1veganallergen-friendly

Keeps earthy, nutty profile

Full guide →

Nut-Free Alternatives

almonds→
cashews or peanuts1:1nut-free option: sunflower seeds

Maintains crunch and nuttiness

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make this ahead?

Prepare dressing, toast nuts, and prep vegetables separately up to 1 day ahead. Assemble only 10-15 minutes before serving, otherwise ramen softens and the slaw becomes soggy.

What if I don't have ramen seasoning packet?

Mix Italian dressing with 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of sesame oil for similar umami depth.

Can I freeze this?

No. Freezing damages the coleslaw texture and ramen noodles become mushy when thawed. Best enjoyed fresh.