This simple broccoli salad combines contemporary broccoli with raisins, sunflower seeds and bacon all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. Itβs the proper facet dish for potlucks and summer season cookouts!
My mother used to make broccoli salad for each gathering rising up and it was certainly one of my absolute favorites, so I assumed Iβd recreate it however with a lightened-up twist!
When testing this broccoli salad recipe, I took one chew and was rapidly taken again to a reminiscence of being within the kitchen with my mother making this salad for a household cookout. It tastes so much like her model. I do know youβre going to like this one!
Why I Love This Salad
- Lightened-Up β I made this broccoli salad a tad lighter by utilizing Greek yogurt as a substitute of mayo for the dressing.
- Versatile β Nice for any event, from household dinners to bigger summer season gatherings.
- Make-Forward Pleasant β Tastes even higher after sitting for a couple of hours, making it a unbelievable possibility for meal prep or as a make-ahead facet.
- Customizable β Straightforward to tweak primarily based in your preferences or dietary wants.
Traditional Broccoli Salad Substances
- chopped broccoli florets β you should use pre-chopped florets or purchase full heads. Both means youβll wish to chop the florets into tiny, bite-size items. This helps distribute the dressing and makes the salad simpler to eat. Ensure youβre utilizing contemporary, uncooked broccoli. Frozen or cooked broccoli receivedβt work for this recipe! If you happen toβre on the lookout for a salad with cooked broccoli do that: roasted broccoli quinoa salad.Β
- bacon β for a extra traditional broccoli salad taste use pork bacon, however turkey bacon would work nice too if you wish to scale back the energy and fats.
- sunflower seeds β I want roasted and salted, however you should use dry roasted or uncooked. Roasted tends to have extra taste and crunch. Be happy to additionally swap the sunflower seeds with almonds, walnuts or pepitas if thatβs what you have got readily available.
- raisins β add a pleasant contact of sweetness and balances the savory flavors of the bacon and broccoli. Be happy to swap the raisins for dried cranberries in order for you. Or you possibly can simply make this broccoli cranberry salad.
- crimson onion β the crimson onion provides a pop of shade and oniony taste.
- Greek yogurt β as a substitute of mayo, I used plain Greek yogurt to up the protein and scale back the fats within the creamy dressing.
- apple cider vinegar β apple cider vinegar is my go-to vinegar for salad dressing due to itβs well being advantages and I like the flavour it provides right here. Donβt have ACV readily available? Use contemporary lemon juice as a substitute!
- honey or maple syrup β a touch of sweetness to stability out the remainder of the dressing components.
- sea salt and black pepper β two necessities for a tasty salad dressing.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian β You’ll be able to omit the bacon or attempt utilizing tempeh bacon or coconut bacon.
- Dairy-free β Use mayonnaise or a dairy-free Greek yogurt. I personally like utilizing coconut milk yogurt after I want a dairy-free possibility. Itβs thick like Greek yogurt and works nice.
- Add cheese β Some variations of traditional broccoli salad embrace cheese, however my motherβs model doesnβt so Iβm sticking with that! If you wish to add cheese, be happy so as to add in shredded cheddar cheese, feta cheese or goat cheese.
The best way to Make Broccoli Salad
Prepare dinner bacon: I like cooking it within the oven (see notes within the recipe card), however you can too prepare dinner it in a skillet on the stovetop or within the microwave.
Create dressing: In a big bowl, whisk collectively yogurt, honey, maple syrup, salt and pepper.
Mix components: In a big bowl, whisk collectively yogurt, honey, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Add broccoli, sunflower seeds, raisins, crimson onion and bacon to the bowl and stir till effectively mixed.
Cowl and chill: Cowl container and chill within the fridge. Let sit for no less than 3-4 hours earlier than serving. In a single day works nice too as this salad tastes higher after it has had time to sit down.
Recipe Ideas
- Minimize your broccoli small: Be sure to chop your broccoli into small, bite-size items to assist distribute the dressing and make the salad simpler to eat.
- Chill earlier than serving: You’ll be able to completely get pleasure from this salad immediately, however I like to recommend letting it sit within the fridge for no less than 3-4 hours or in a single day earlier than serving. This provides the broccoli time to melt and take in the flavors of the dressing.
What to Serve With Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad recipe makes for a beautiful facet dish for dinner or a lightweight lunch possibility, but it surelyβs additionally an ideal facet for potlucks and cookouts. Listed here are some concepts on what to serve alongside this salad:
The best way to Retailer Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad will last as long as 5 days in an hermetic container within the fridge. Chances are you’ll discover that the raisins take in among the liquid or the sunflower seeds soften however thatβs okay! It should nonetheless be scrumptious.
Extra Salad Recipes to Strive
You should definitely try all my broccoli recipes in addition to my full assortment of salad recipes.
This put up was initially printed on March 3, 2021 and republished on April 8, 2024.