Refreshing Broccoli Salad Recipe: A Crisp Summer Delight

Crisp and vibrant broccoli salad bursts with unexpected flavors that will make your taste buds dance.

Crunchy florets mingle with sweet and tangy ingredients, creating a refreshing twist on traditional side dishes.

Packed with nutrition, this recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes.

Bacon bits add a smoky punch that complements the fresh vegetables perfectly.

Creamy dressing ties everything together in a mouthwatering harmony of ingredients.

Red onions provide a sharp contrast that keeps each bite interesting.

You won’t be able to resist this colorful and satisfying dish that comes together in mere minutes.

Prepare to fall in love with a salad that breaks all the boring rules.

Broccoli Salad Questions And Answers

• Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

No, fresh broccoli works best for this salad. Frozen broccoli is too watery and will make the salad soggy and lose its crisp texture.

• Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure your tamari and mayonnaise are certified gluten-free to guarantee no cross-contamination.

• How can I make this salad vegan?

Replace mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise or tahini. Use maple syrup as it’s already vegan-friendly. Everything else in the recipe is plant-based.

Why Broccoli Salad Is Always A Hit

• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add your favorite proteins to make this broccoli salad uniquely yours, perfect for personal taste preferences.
• Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with vitamins from broccoli, healthy fats from nuts, and antioxidants from dried cranberries, this salad delivers a nutritional punch.
• Texture Symphony: Enjoy a delightful mix of crunchy roasted nuts, crisp broccoli, and soft cranberries that create an exciting mouth-feel in every bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Requires minimal cooking skills and comes together rapidly, making it ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or spontaneous meal prep.

Everything That Goes In Broccoli Salad

• Broccoli: A crunchy green vegetable that provides the base for the salad.
• Red Onions: Sharp and tangy vegetable that adds a bold flavor to the dish.
• Dried Cranberries: Sweet and chewy fruit that brings a touch of brightness to the salad.

• Almonds, Pepitas: Crunchy and nutritious ingredients that add texture and nutty flavor when roasted with seasonings.

• Olive Oil, Mayonnaise, Apple Cider Vinegar, Mustard, Maple Syrup, Garlic, Salt: A blend of creamy, tangy, and sweet components that create a rich and balanced dressing for coating the salad ingredients.

• Tamari, Smoked Paprika: Savory and smoky seasonings that enhance the flavor of the nuts and seeds during roasting.

How To Put Together Broccoli Salad Fast

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Nuts

Mix almonds and pepitas with tamari, maple syrup, and smoked paprika. Spread them evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 350°F until they turn golden brown and become wonderfully fragrant, about 10-14 minutes. Allow the nuts to cool for 5 minutes, during which they’ll become delightfully crispy.

Step 2: Create Creamy Dressing

• Olive oil
• Mayonnaise
• Apple cider vinegar
• Mustard
• Maple syrup
• Minced garlic
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Combine Salad Components

Add chopped broccoli, sliced red onions, and dried cranberries to the dressing. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure each ingredient is beautifully coated.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Topping

Fold in most of the roasted nuts and seeds, saving a few for a gorgeous garnish. Taste the salad and adjust seasonings if needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle the reserved nuts on top for an extra crunch. Serve immediately and savor the delightful blend of flavors and textures.

Simple Tips To Make Broccoli Salad Better

• Roast Nuts Precisely: Watch almonds and pepitas closely during baking to prevent burning, ensuring a golden-brown color and perfect crunch.
• Enhance Dressing Flavor: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, well-blended dressing that coats every broccoli piece evenly.
• Prep Broccoli Smartly: Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces for easier eating and better dressing absorption.
• Add Fresh Crunch: Reserve some roasted nuts to sprinkle on top just before serving for an extra textural contrast and visual appeal.
• Balance Sweet and Tangy: Adjust maple syrup and apple cider vinegar to create a perfectly balanced dressing that complements the broccoli's natural flavor.

Fun Ways To Remix Broccoli Salad

• Vegan Protein Power: Replace almonds and pepitas with roasted chickpeas and sunflower seeds for extra protein and crunch.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap maple syrup with stevia, use avocado oil instead of olive oil, and add extra nuts for healthy fats.
• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley and mint, replace dried cranberries with kalamata olives, and add crumbled feta cheese for Mediterranean flair.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add jalapeños, swap maple syrup for hot sauce, include black beans, and sprinkle with cilantro for a zesty southwestern variation.

Tasty Pairings For Broccoli Salad

• Elevate Your Broccoli Salad Experience
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the salad's richness, offering a refreshing contrast with its zesty citrus notes and bright acidity.
• Complement with Hearty Protein: Grilled chicken breast or seared salmon add lean protein, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that enhances the salad's nutty and tangy flavors.
• Match with Rustic Bread: Toasted sourdough or whole grain bread provides a crunchy texture that echoes the roasted nuts, while absorbing the delicious dressing.
• Serve with Light Craft Beer: A crisp pilsner or wheat beer cleanses the palate, highlighting the salad's complex seasoning and providing a cool, smooth drinking experience.

How To Keep Broccoli Salad Fresh And Crunchy

• Store the broccoli salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Keep crunchy nuts separate and add just before serving to maintain their crisp texture.
• Not recommended due to mayonnaise-based dressing which can separate and lose creamy consistency when thawed.
• Best enjoyed cold. If needed, let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to take off the chill and restore flavors.
• Add fresh nuts and seeds right before serving to prevent sogginess and maintain optimal crunch.

Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Summer gatherings find their perfect companion in this zesty Broccoli Salad, blending crisp vegetables with a tangy dressing. Crunchy florets mingle with bacon bits and sunflower seeds, creating a refreshing side that you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 1 pound (454 grams) broccoli crowns (chopped into ½-inch florets and ¼-inch diced stems)
• 1/3 cup (53 grams) diced red onions

Dried and Nuts:

• 1/3 cup (50 grams) dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) almonds
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) mayonnaise (regular or vegan)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (22 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) maple syrup or honey
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) tamari
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (more to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven at 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for toasting nuts.
2. Combine almonds and pepitas with tamari, maple syrup, and smoked paprika in a mixing bowl.
3. Distribute nuts evenly across baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring no overlap.
4. Roast nuts for 10-14 minutes until achieving a golden-brown color and fragrant aroma.
5. Remove from oven and allow nuts to cool and crisp naturally for 5 minutes.
6. Create dressing by whisking olive oil, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, and salt until smooth and well-integrated.
7. Incorporate chopped broccoli, diced red onions, and dried cranberries into dressing, ensuring thorough coating.
8. Gently fold in majority of roasted nuts and seeds, maintaining some for decorative topping.
9. Evaluate flavor profile and adjust seasoning with additional salt or maple syrup if desired.
10. Garnish salad with reserved toasted nuts and seeds for added crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize the crunch by using different nuts like walnuts or pecans for varied texture and flavor profiles.
• Swap mayonnaise with vegan alternatives like cashew cream or tahini for a plant-based version that maintains creamy consistency.
• Toast nuts carefully to prevent burning, watching closely during the last few minutes of roasting for optimal golden-brown color.
• Enhance meal prep by chopping broccoli and making dressing ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld and saving cooking time later.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 244 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg