Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

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Delicious Broccoli Salad made with bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion, and goat cheese mixed with a creamy Greek yogurt-mayo sauce. So good!

Broccoli Salad Recipe (1)

Broccoli Salad

Here’s a great way to get a cup of veggies into your meal, serve this fresh Broccoli Salad as a side with a sandwich, burger, or your favorite protein. It’s perfect as a side dish for a summer BBQ or potluck or a tasty lunch option. It’s easy to customize to your liking – try adding in some chopped nuts like almonds, raisins, or other dried fruit for extra flavor and texture. If you’re a broccoli lover and need more broccoli ideas, try this Italian Sub Broccoli Salad, Broccoli and Orzo, or this cozy Broccoli Cheese Soup.

Broccoli Salad Recipe (2)

This light and easy Broccoli Salad is from the new Downshiftology Healthy Meal Prep cookbook by Lisa Bryan, is the best broccoli salad recipe! Her book offers over 100 make-ahead recipes that can be frozen or repurposed into different meals. I polled my audience on Instagram to see which recipe they wanted me to share from her book, and this one was the winner. I’m so glad because I really enjoyed it!! Her recipe has this as 4 servings, but I made it 8 1 cup servings which is perfect for a side dish. If you want to have it as a main you can double the portion.

A Healthier Broccoli Salad

This healthy salad recipe uses many nutritious ingredients:

  • Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
  • Sunflower seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and nutrients, like vitamin E and selenium.
  • Goat cheese is a lower-fat alternative to other types of cheese and is a good source of protein and calcium.
  • The Greek yogurt in the dressing boosts the protein content and gives the salad a creamy texture without adding too much fat.
Broccoli Salad Recipe (3)

Broccoli Salad Ingredients

  • Bacon: Use real bacon. I like center cut because it’s leaner. Bacon bits would also work in a pinch.
  • Broccoli: Cut a head of broccoli into bite-sized florets.
  • Red Onion: For flavor.
  • Dried Cranberries: Unsweetened dried cranberries add a touch of tartness and sweetness.
  • Raw Sunflower Seeds: Add healthy fats, nutrients and texture.
  • Goat Cheese: for creaminess
  • Broccoli Salad Dressing: Greek yogurt and mayonnaise (light or regular) make an easy creamy dressing.

How to Make This Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

  1. Lean Center Cut Bacon: Cook the bacon in the skillet or place the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F.
  2. Vegetables, seeds and cheese: In a large bowl combine broccoli florets, red onion, cranberries, seeds, and cheese.
  3. Light Dressing: Stir the mayo and yogurt in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture, and add the crumbled bacon.
Broccoli Salad Recipe (4)
Broccoli Salad Recipe (5)
Broccoli Salad Recipe (6)
Broccoli Salad Recipe (7)

What to Serve with Broccoli Salad

This salad recipe would go great with any almost protein, like burgers, pork chops, chicken, or steak. I also like it on its own for an easy lunch.

How long does broccoli salad last in the fridge?

Broccoli salad will last up to 4 days an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Variations:

  • Broccoli: If you prefer to blanch your broccoli, you can by boiling it for about 1 minute. Drain it, rinse it with cold water to stop it from overcooking, and dry it before mixing the broccoli with the other ingredients.
  • Fruit: Swap dried cranberries for raisins, dried dates, or diced apples.
  • Vegetarian Broccoli Salad: Omit the bacon.
  • Seeds: Substitute sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or pecans.
  • Cheese: Sub goat cheese with feta or shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Dairy Free: omit the goat cheese and use dairy free yogurt.
Broccoli Salad Recipe (8)

More Broccoli Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Capers
  • Sesame Orange Broccoli
  • Broccoli and Cheese Tots
  • Roasted Broccoli with Smashed Garlic
  • Broccoli and Orzo

Broccoli Salad Recipe (9)

Broccoli Salad Recipe

5

Cals:171

Protein:6.5

Carbs:11

Fat:11.5

Delicious Broccoli Salad recipe made with bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion, and goat cheese mixed with a creamy Greek yogurt-mayo sauce. So good!!

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Broccoli Salad Recipe (10)

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 slices center cut bacon
  • 1 large head broccoli florets , sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • cup diced red onion
  • ½ cup dried unsweetened cranberries
  • ½ cup shelled raw sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
  • ½ cup mayonnaise, I used Hellman's Light
  • ¼ cup plain fat free Greek yogurt, dairy-or dairy-free

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned, about 4 minutes on each side.

  • If you prefer to bake it, bake on a sheet pan in a preheated 400°F oven to (200°C) 15 to 20 minutes, until crispy

  • Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Chop or crumble.

  • While the bacon is cooking, in a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese.

  • In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and yogurt.

    Broccoli Salad Recipe (11)

  • Add the bacon and dressing to the mixing bowl and toss to combine.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

Dairy Free Option: omit the goat cheese and use dairy free yogurt.

Refrigerate up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 171 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 6.5 g, Fat: 11.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2.5 g, Cholesterol: 8.5 mg, Sodium: 279 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 6 g

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Categories:

  • Broccoli Recipes
  • Egg Free Recipes
  • Gluten Free
  • Low Carb
  • Lunch
  • Meal Prep Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Salad
  • Sides
  • Spring Recipes
  • Summer
  • Under 30 Minutes
  • Weight Watchers – WW Recipes
Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my broccoli salad get watery? ›

Extra water on the broccoli can make for a runny mixture. The same goes for rinsing your broccoli! Make sure you give your broccoli adequate time to dry after rinsing. You get enough moisture from the dressing mixture that any extra water will make your salad too watery.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds.

How to make brocoli salad? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar and honey. Toss salad ingredients with dressing: Combine broccoli florets, almonds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well.

What is the active ingredient in broccoli? ›

Broccoli and its active ingredient, sulforaphane were reported to possess tremendous pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antidepressant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic to mention but few.

How to make raw broccoli taste good? ›

Broccoli has a simple taste that can be paired subtly with lemon pepper, or salt and black pepper, or combined with bold flavors like balsamic vinegar, basil, and fresh ginger. These common flavors will add to natural taste of the broccoli, and can even be combined with other raw vegetables to make a salad.

How long is broccoli good in the fridge? ›

Fresh broccoli lasts between 3 to 5 days in the fridge when properly stored. “For cut-up broccoli, I would say no more than 4 days for optimal use,” Amidor says. “But it's best to cut from the whole head right before cooking or eating to maintain nutrients.”

Does broccoli salad go bad? ›

In an airtight container, broccoli salad is happy to hang out in the fridge for days. Aim to use it up within three. If eating that much broccoli salad sounds daunting, you could make a smaller batch, starting with one head instead.

Why does my stomach hurt so bad after eating broccoli? ›

Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower are high in sulfur and can cause bloating and gas. Try some of these vegetables to see if they are easier to digest: carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, zucchini, green beans, celery and squash.

Is it okay to eat broccoli every day? ›

Introducing broccoli into your daily dietary routine can yield various health benefits. Its fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants contribute to improved digestion, bone health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Can dogs have broccoli? ›

In small quantities, yes, dogs can eat broccoli. Cooked, green veggies such as broccoli can make a reasonably healthy dog treat, but owners should only offer it in moderation. This is because broccoli contains isothiocyanate, a substance that can cause digestive issues if ingested in large quantities.

How many florets of broccoli is a serving? ›

How much is one portion of fresh vegetables? Eight broccoli florets.

What does florets mean? ›

Definitions of floret. a diminutive flower (especially one that is part of a composite flower) synonyms: floweret. type of: bloom, blossom, flower. reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts.

What is the top of broccoli called? ›

The dark green broccoli plant has a firm stalk and branching arms that end in heads of florets. Broccoli heads are actually groups of buds that are almost ready to flower; each group of buds is called a floret.

How do restaurants make broccoli so good? ›

How do restaurants make broccoli so good? Restaurants often blanch broccoli first to ensure it's cooked quickly and evenly, maintaining a vibrant color and crisp texture.

What is broccoli pasta made of? ›

Its ingredients, broccoli, garlic, and olive oil, sound simple, but when brought together with pasta and pasta water to form a creamy sauce, something magical happens. Even the pickiest of eaters love it! This broccoli spaghetti is perfect for busy weeknights when I want to make something quick but nourishing.

Is broccoli slaw made from stems? ›

The next time you cut into a head of fresh broccoli, don't toss the stems—use them to make this crunchy broccoli slaw. Broccoli stems are not only edible, they're healthy too—they offer essential nutrients, like fiber and vitamin C, just like the rest of the head.

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