Bang Bang Broccoli Salad

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This bang bang broccoli salad features the classic creamy, sweet and spicy bang bang sauce—made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and Sriracha—for a bold flavor that balances heat with a hint of sweetness. It’s typically used as a dipping sauce; here we use it as a dressing instead to coat crispy veggies, delivering a satisfying kick.

a recipe photo of Bang Bang Broccoli Salad
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
6
  • The simple bang bang sauce coats the salad for fast and flavorful preparation.
  • Broccoli provides vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help lower inflammation.
  • Precooked veggies can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Our Bang Bang Broccoli Salad uses a classic, delicious sauce as a dressing that will get you excited about eating your vegetables. Vitamin C–packed broccoli is mixed with antioxidant-rich red cabbage, carrots and scallions, edamame for protein, and cashews for crunch. Our bang bang sauce is made up of creamy mayo, sweet chili sauce, zesty lime and Sriracha for a kick! The combo of crunchy and creamy is a delight—a wickedly delicious salad for any meal or to make ahead for a potluck. Keep reading for our expert tips on time-saving ingredients, smart ways to add more protein and more.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To save time on prepping vegetables, consider buying precut broccoli florets and matchstick carrots.
  • Transform this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled shrimp or thin slices of grilled chicken, steak or tofu.
  • You can use a mixture of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise to add extra protein to the salad. And feel free to add more or less of the Sriracha to taste.
  • Whip up a double batch of the sauce. It will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator and can be drizzled over roasted vegetables or enjoyed as a dip or sandwich spread.

Nutrition Notes

  • Broccoli has sulfur-containing compounds that are known for their role in cancer prevention, which also give it a slightly bitter taste. Also, when you eat fresh broccoli, rather than cooked, you’ll get more vitamin C, which can help lower inflammation.
  • All cabbage is nutritious, but red cabbage does have an edge over green cabbage in one nutrient. Red cabbage contains antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give it its purple/red color. Just like the broccoli, you’ll get more nutrients from the raw cabbage. 
  • Edamame is a complete plant-based protein, which means it contains all of the same essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) as animal protein. It is an excellent source of iron and potassium—excellent for heart health. 
  • Carrots are a great source of beta carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A and contributes to overall immune health. You also get digestive health and anti-inflammatory benefits from eating carrots.
Ingredients for a broccoli salad including broccoli, red cabbage, shredded carrots, sauces, and seasonings arranged on a countertop

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (from 1 small lime)

  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into ½-inch pieces

  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage

  • 1 small carrot, peeled and shredded (½ cup)

  • ½ cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • 2 medium scallions, thinly sliced (¼ cup)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped salted cashews

Directions

  1. Whisk ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chili sauce, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 teaspoons Sriracha, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon salt together in a large bowl. Add 4 cups broccoli, 1 cup cabbage, the shredded carrot, ½ cup edamame, ¼ cup cilantro and the sliced scallions; toss to coat. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cashews.

    A bowl with a creamy mixture and a whisk

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is it called bang bang sauce?

    You might be familiar with the Sichuan street food called “bang bang,” which derives its name from the Chinese word for “stick”—a reference to the tool used for tenderizing chicken in the dish. However, our recipe is inspired by the popular Bang Bang Sauce from the Bonefish Grill restaurant chain.

  • How should I store leftovers?

    The salad is best the day it’s made. But if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • What should I serve with Bang Bang Broccoli Salad?

    Serve this salad as is, tuck it into a pita or wrap, or make a meal by pairing it with Turkey, Pork & Chinese Chive Dumplings, Easy Chicken Fried Rice, 25-Minute Peanut Noodles or Air-Fryer Pork Tenderloin.

EatingWell.com, May 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

159 Calories
11g Fat
12g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 159
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 6g
Added Sugars 3g 6%
Protein 4g 9%
Total Fat 11g 15%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Vitamin A 114µg
Vitamin C 65mg 72%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 8%
Folate 89µg
Vitamin K 104µg
Sodium 262mg 11%
Calcium 53mg 4%
Iron 1mg 7%
Magnesium 34mg 8%
Potassium 357mg 8%
Zinc 1mg 6%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.