A Better Raw Broccoli
I know some people have a hard no! stance on raw broccoli. Im pro raw broccoli in salads as long as its had time to marinate and soften slightly. Its not so much the stems that bothers me I actually like the crisp freshness of the stems. Its the florets. Theyre just kind of dry and crumbly when raw.
Solution:
a) give the salad time to marinate in the creamy lemon dressing which slightly tenderises the broccoli. Both the acid and the oil in the dressing helps here and
b) slicing the florets thickly rather than leaving them whole. More surface area = better marinating effect to take the hard raw edge off the broccoli.
Gather Your Ingredients For Broccoli Salad
As shown here, this recipe calls for turkey bacon, chopped small, Greek yogurt , rice vinegar, water, honey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, about 5 cups of broccoli florets , diced red onion, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries .
âThis is a fun one to change up according to preferences,â Shelbert notes. âYou can add cheddar cheese, you can sub out the sunflower seeds for pumpkin seeds or almonds, or the cranberries for raisins. It also traditionally uses mayonnaise in the dressing but I used Greek yogurt here.â
Tips For The Best Broccoli Salad
- Dont forget to toast the slivered almonds before adding to the broccoli salad. Watch them carefully when toasting, they burn easily!
- The salad can be made in advance. Just prep the dressing separately and toss together when ready to serve.
- Make sure the broccoli pieces are bite-sized keeping kids in mind as well.
- You cant go wrong with more bacon. Feel free to add in more if you want.
This salad is perfect year-round but is especially well-received at summer gatherings, picnics, potlucks, barbecues and more. But its also a staple for us during the holidays. What can I say? We just LOVE this broccoli salad!
If you love broccoli salad, I urge you to give this one a try! I know youll love it just as much as I do!
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Lets Break This Down A Little
For this recipe, I call for about 8 cups of raw broccoli florets. For me, that was about 3 medium-sized heads of broccoli, which equated to about 2 1/2 pounds.
Now some recipes call for you to blanch the broccoli first, but I think its just one extra step thats not necessary. That being said, if blanching is your thing, a quick 45 to 60 second dunk in salted boiling water should do the trick. Just be sure to immediately plunge the broccoli in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Then make sure the broccoli is super dry before adding it to the salad. Extra water on the broccoli can make for a runny dressing.
Yall know I like easy, so I opted to use a bag of chopped real bacon from the grocery store rather than cooking my own. Just be sure to get the real stuff, not imitation bacon bits. If youre feeling super ambitious and want to cook your own bacon, youll need to cook about 16 slices or 1 pound of bacon to crisp, then drain, and crumble to create 1 cup of crumbled bacon. Hey, yall know I love me some bacon.
When it comes to the cheese, I want to actually see it and taste it, so I avoid the finely shredded cheese and go with thick cut shredded sharp cheddar.
And while were talking about the dressing, I do like mine a touch sweet, but not too sweet. If you like it sweeter, its super easy to add a little more white sugar to suit your taste.
What Is In Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad could also be called broccoli slaw, since its very similar to cole slaw in that it features a raw vegetable from the brassica family, tossed in a creamy, mayo-based dressing. Our easy broccoli salad recipe is classic, through and through! Youll need:
- Raw broccoli florets. Yep, no need to blanch broccoli for this salad. No-cook summer salads FTW!
- Bacon. Cooked until crispy, then minced.
- Raw red onion, also minced.
- Sunflower seeds, for crunch. Look for the unsalted kind.
- Raisins. Sounds weird, but their hint of sweetness and toothsome chewiness is a great foil for the super-crunch of the raw broccoli.
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Cut Broccoli Or Use Pre
Im all about time-savers in the kitchen and believe that shortcuts can be sanity savers too! So feel free to grab a bag of the pre-cut broccoli in the produce section at your local grocery store.
Or, if using a stalk of broccoli, cut off the florets and place in a large mixing bowl.
Youll need about 8 cups of broccoli!
Why You Should Use A Dressing On Your Broccoli Salad
If youre like me, you love your broccoli salad.
Its crunchy, its tasty, and its something you can make ahead of time and take with you to work or school.
- But what happens when the broccoli starts to get soggy?
- Or when you want to add a little something extra?
Thats where a dressing comes in!
Dressing is one of those things that can really make or break a dishit can be too oily, too sweet, or just plain bland.
But with the right dressing for your salad, youll find yourself with a delicious new addition that will keep your salad from getting soggy and give it some extra flair.
So here are two reasons why I think you should consider using a dressing on your broccoli salad:
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Can I Use Frozen Corn
I like to use fresh corn to make this corn salad, but frozen would also work . This recipe requires 4-5 cups of frozen corn, I usually use a blend of sweet yellow corn and super sweet white corn if using frozen.
After youve combined your corn and the rest of your chopped veggies, the next thing youll need is a simple olive oil & vinegar based dressing.
I used red wine vinegar for this recipe, but if you only have white wine on hand you can substitute that instead, and while I havent tried this recipe with other varieties, I have a feeling most vinegars would work just as well.
Dont Throw Away Broccoli Stems
When I first started cooking for myself, whenever it came to chopping up broccoli, Id slam my knife down just below the crown and throw away the stem. Thankfully someone, somewhere down the line set me straight. Broccoli stems are excellent especially in this salad.
We save and roast broccoli stems all the time. Take a look at our favorite oven roasted vegetables recipe that includes broccoli stems! We also talk all about them in our ultimate guide for roasting broccoli.
The end of the stem lets say about half-an-inch from the bottom is probably going to be too hardy and woody. Cut that off and discard, you wont be needing that for the salad.
The rest of the stem is usable. Depending on how hardy the stem is, it might be a good idea to run a vegetable peeler up and down the stem to remove the outer layer. Then, chop into small pieces.
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Should I Blanch The Broccoli:
While some people blanch broccoli before adding it to broccoli salad, I leave mine raw the majority of the time.
It saves time and ensures the broccoli is nice and snappy. Plus, you dont have to wait for the broccoli to cool off before serving it.
That said, you can blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then transfer it immediately to an ice water bath then pat it dry with paper towels or spinning with a salad spinner to remove the water before proceeding with the salad.
For some people, blanched broccoli has a more desirable texture because its softer and it can also be easier for people to digest.
Also try my Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts for a unique, great addition to your summer gatherings.
If you love fresh, healthy side dishes, also check out these tasty side dishes, which are perfect for summer bbqs and picnics.
Ly From Scratch Broccoli Salad
Best Broccoli Salad Dressing from ly From Scratch Broccoli Salad. Source Image: onlyfromscratch.blogspot.com. Visit this site for details: onlyfromscratch.blogspot.com
If theres one veggie thats the star of summer, the tomato is definitely it. Here are several of my favorite summer salad recipes that put tomatoes front & facility.
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The Best Healthy Broccoli Salad
Standard potluck-issue broccoli salads include mayonnaise, sugar and bacon, and you wont find any of those here.
I included the usual cheddar cheese since my assistant Mara absolutely loved it that way. The cheddar offers some creamy indulgence to the salad, which makes it a perfect transition food from rich holiday meals to healthier options.
That said, if youre craving a lighter salad, youll also enjoy the recipe without cheese.
What Dressing Goes On A Broccoli Salad
The typical dressing for a broccoli salad is a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing. I dont add any extra sugar to my dressing, but I do up the creaminess by adding a little homemade yogurt to the dressing. It adds just the right sweetness and tang. And of course, I use my homemade mayonnaise as the starting point.
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Broccoli Salad With Yogurt Dressing Happy Healthy Mama
Best Broccoli Salad Dressing from Broccoli Salad with Yogurt Dressing Happy Healthy Mama. Source Image: happyhealthymama.com. Visit this site for details: happyhealthymama.com
The key to this salad is seasoning the tomatoes in a sprinkle of olive oil & sherry vinegar. They become rich & tasty the excellent contrast for fresh basil, avocado, and also a little orzo pasta.
Why Youll Love This Recipe
Broccoli Slaw is a favorite side dish for summer dinners and cookouts. Lighter, crunchier, and with more flavor than coleslaw youll love every bit of the creamy and tangy flavor Broccoli Slaw brings to your table.
If you like traditional coleslaw you have to give this lightly creamy broccoli slaw recipe a try. The dressing alone is worth trying.
I like a light dressing for my slaw, so I can actually taste the vegetables. This dressing keep the veggies fresh and crisp.
The broccoli stems and grated carrots mixed with sweet onion and green pepper are the perfect flavor combinations to pair with creamy and slightly tart dressing with just a touch of sweetness.
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Expert Tips And Customizations
When customizing broccoli salads, I like to first stick to the main recipe and add a bit of this or a bit of that before recreating the whole wheel, if you will. Some ideas to get you started:
- Add diced apples or halved grapes for a sweet surprise.
- Swap out dried cranberries for raisins for a sweet, but not tart taste.
- Add in other kinds of dried fruit if you dont want to try dried cranberries or raisins. Dried and chopped mango, pineapple, or figs would be delicious.
- Substitute whole-grain mustard for Dijon if you want a heavier mustard flavor.
- Skip the bacon or use plant-based bacon if you want to make the salad vegetarian.
- Instead of bacon, you could cut and cook up some pancetta. Similar bacon-y taste, slightly different texture.
- Swap sunflower seeds for toasted almonds or pistachios.
- Make the salad half broccoli and half cauliflower for some added color and different flavors with each bite.
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To Blanch Or Not To Blanch The Broccoli
To use the broccoli blanched or raw is a personal choice, and either way works.
I do always blanch broccoli for salad, because I find it a more pleasant texture to eat. And if you struggle with digesting raw broccoli but love broccoli salad, its worth trying if its easier on you when blanched.
If you want to blanch your broccoli, get a large bowl with ice water ready. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water, then add the broccoli. Cook it for 2 minutes, then drain and immediately place in the ice water.
Leave the broccoli in the ice water for 3-5 minutes, until its completely cooled down. Drain and pat dry very well using paper towels. Then, its ready to use in the salad!
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Try A Different Texture
Another option for this slaw is to food process the broccoli slaw mix along with the pepper and onion and then add the dressing. This gives the slaw an entirely new texture. Everything is finely chopped. I like to do this to change things up or if Im planning to use the slaw as a topping, like on top of a pulled pork sandwich.
This homemade broccoli slaw dressing was featured on Wined Down Wednesday and South Your Mouth!
How To Lighten Up Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad certainly isnt health food, but there are a few modifications you can make to make it a bit less fattening. Ive found that when people see broccoli salad they think theyre getting something healthy, so if thats what youre looking for, there are a few modifications you can try.
- Instead of using regular mayo, use one made with olive oil. Im very picky about the type of mayo that I use and cant stand the taste of reduced fat . Ive found that using olive oil mayo in my broccoli salad recipe gives you all of the same creaminess and flavor while saving a few calories.
- You can replace some or all of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- Using pre-cooked bacon will save time and fat and calories. Make sure youre using real bacon pieces and not imitation flavored bits. These are usually found in the salad dressing aisle and should say that theyre real bacon on the packaging. Ive also found that this bacon holds up best to the moisture from the broccoli salad.
Keep in mind that ultimately broccoli salad is meant to be an indulgent side dish, and not health food!
OK, I hope I didnt lose you with all of the broccoli photos!
Enjoy!
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Family Feedbag Broccoli Salad With Lemon Dill Dressing
Best Broccoli Salad Dressing from Family Feedbag Broccoli salad with lemon dill dressing. Source Image: www.familyfeedbag.com. Visit this site for details: www.familyfeedbag.com
Make this salad for your following barbecue, and also itll be a guaranteed hit. A tahini miso clothing offers it a creamy umami finishing, while peaches include juicy stands out of sweet taste. I finish it with toasted pepitas for crisis.
The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe
You might be wondering what makes this Broccoli Salad so special and Im here to tell you that its all because of the spectacular dressing! Youll find most broccoli salad dressing recipes are a combination of mayo and white sugar.
And while my dressing recipe does contain mayo, it doesnt just taste like mayo straight from the jar!
The dressing is simple and naturally sweetened with honey . Its got a hit of freshness and acidity thanks to the red wine vinegar and fresh lemonjuice. We also add in some sourcream and Dijon mustard for tang and depth of flavor. And finally, its seasoned with salt and pepper to balance and intensify all the flavors.
This dressing will have you craving Broccoli Salad all year round!
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How To Make Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad Step By Step Photos
First, make the honey mustard dressing. Combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp yellow mustard, 3 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1/8 tsp garlic powder, 1/8 tsp paprika, 1/8 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper.
Stir the honey mustard dressing ingredients together until combined, then set the dressing aside.
Chop one large crown of broccoli into small pieces. Youll want about 5 cups once chopped.
Place the broccoli in a large bowl. Finely dice 1/4 of a red onion . Add the onion, 1/3 cup slivered almonds, and 1/4 cup dried cranberries to the bowl with the broccoli.
Add about half of the honey mustard dressing to the broccoli salad, then stir to coat. Add more dressing to your liking. I ended up using about 3/4 of the batch of dressing. If you need some ideas for how to use the remaining dressing, I have a list of ideas in my Honey Mustard Sauce post.
Enjoy the Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad immediately, or refrigerate until youre ready to eat!
Tips For The Best Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Wash your broccoli ahead of time if possible, this helps to ensure it drains well.
- This gives the broccoli a chance to soak in some of the dressing, resulting in an even more flavorful salad!
- Allow time for the recipe to chill in the fridge. This gives the broccoli a chance to soak in some of the dressing, resulting in an even more flavorful salad!
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The Best Creamy Broccoli Salad
Ill admit, that broccoli is not my fave. But, if you add some bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds, and toss it all in a sweet dressing, then count me in!
This creamy broccoli salad recipe is an oldie, but a goodie. My family has been making this side dish for years, and its always a hit.
A staple during the summer months, it pairs perfectly with all of your favorite grilling recipes. And with only seven ingredients, its super easy to make!