Creamy broccoli salad is a delicious nutrient-packed delight that can be served at a summer barbecue, bringing it to a potluck, or simply craving a wholesome meal.
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I adore broccoli in any shape or form. Whether it’s Air Fryer Broccoli roasted to perfection with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, chopped up and turned into a Broccoli Cheese Bites, or pureed into a Creamy Broccoli Soup, broccoli never fails to impress me with its versatility.
Recently, I stumbled upon a recipe for broccoli salad that has completely changed my perspective on raw broccoli. This dish is a game-changer, offering a unique and crispy flavor profile that perfectly balances the natural bitterness of raw broccoli with the creaminess of the dressing, the sweetness of cranberries and the tanginess of lemon juice. It is tasty, and also incredibly easy to make. I serve it alongside Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner or bring it to a potluck with friends. This creamy broccoli salad is my new favorite way to add raw broccoli to my diet. Plus, it’s loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutrient-packed powerhouse.
Ingredients
You will need 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets, 1/2 cup of dried cranberries, 1/2 cup of chopped cashews or walnuts, 1/4 cup of red onion (diced), 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar), 1 tablespoon of honey, salt and pepper to taste.
The key to making this salad is using raw broccoli florets that are crisp and fresh. This way broccoli maintains its crunch and doesn’t become soggy when mixed with the creamy dressing.
The Perfect Creamy Dressing
The dressing is the star of a creamy broccoli salad. Here are the tips for making a delicious and healthier creamy dressing:
- Base Ingredients: Traditional dressings use mayonnaise, but you can lighten it up by using Sour cream or Greek yogurt, or a mix of yogurt and mayo.
- Flavor Enhancers: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for tanginess, and a touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
- Seasonings: Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. For a twist, you can also add Dijon mustard or poppy seeds.
- Consistency: Whisk the ingredients until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water or milk.
Recipe for Creamy Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Broccoli: Rinse broccoli thoroughly under cold water. Cut the florets into bite-sized pieces, and if desired, peel the tough outer layer from the stalks and slice them thinly. This adds more texture and reduces waste.
Mix the Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, chopped red onion, dried cranberries or raisins, chopped cashews or walnuts (you can also use sunflower seeds or sliced almonds), and crumbled bacon and cheese if using. Toss the ingredients together to distribute them evenly.
Make the Creamy Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste, ensuring the dressing has a balanced sweet-tangy flavor.
Combine and Chill: Pour the creamy dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss everything together until the broccoli is well-coated with the dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste.
Variations and Add-ins
One of the best things about broccoli salad is its adaptability. Here are some creative ideas to make it your own:
- Cook Broccoli: You may also want to blanch the broccoli before adding it to the salad if you prefer a slightly softer texture. Steam or boil the broccoli until it is tender but still slightly crisp (about 2 minutes). Drain the broccoli and let it cool before combining it with the other ingredients
- Nuts and Seeds: Add crunch with almonds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts.
- Fruits: Dried cranberries, raisins, or fresh apples can add a touch of sweetness.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar, feta, or goat cheese can bring a savory richness.
- Proteins: Make it more filling with cooked bacon bits, grilled chicken, chickpeas, or black beans.
- Grains: Incorporate quinoa, farro, or couscous for added texture and nutrition.
Leftovers
You can prepare this Creamy broccoli salad in advance, and make it a convenient option for busy schedules. It is kept well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy a healthy and tasty dish without the hassle of daily preparation.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad
- Classic Tuna Salad from a Can
- Cabbage and Beet Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Feta
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Best Damn Crispy and Creamy Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Broccoli florets fresh broccoli florets
- 1/4 Cup Red Onion chopped
- 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries Sweetened or Unsweetened. You can use raisins instead.
- 1/2 cup Cashews Chopped. Or walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe for Creamy Dressing
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Honey or sugar. I use Monk fruit sweetener as a low-carb substitute.
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Rinse broccoli thoroughly under cold water. Cut the florets into bite-sized pieces (1bout 1/4 inch), and if desired, peel the tough outer layer from the stalks and slice them thinly. This adds more texture and reduces waste.
- Mix the Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, chopped red onion, dried cranberries or raisins, chopped cashews or walnuts (you can also use sunflower seeds or sliced almonds), and crumbled cooked bacon and cheese if using. Toss the ingredients together to distribute them evenly.
- Make the Creamy Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste, ensuring the dressing has a balanced sweet-tangy flavor.
- Combine and Chill: Pour the creamy dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss everything together until the broccoli is well-coated with the dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste.
Notes
Variations and Add-ins
One of the best things about broccoli salad is its adaptability. Here are some creative ideas to make it your own:- Cook Broccoli: You may also want to blanch the broccoli before adding it to the salad if you prefer a slightly softer texture. Steam or boil the broccoli until it is tender but still slightly crisp (about 2 minutes). Drain the broccoli and let it cool before combining it with the other ingredients
- Nuts and Seeds: Add crunch with almonds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts.
- Fruits: Dried cranberries, raisins, or fresh apples can add a touch of sweetness.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar, feta, or goat cheese can bring a savory richness.
- Proteins: Make it more filling with cooked bacon bits, grilled chicken, or chickpeas.
- Grains: Incorporate quinoa, farro, or couscous for added texture and nutrition.
