Crisp apples get paired with sweet raisins and crunchy broccoli for this delicious, Healthier Broccoli Salad recipe! Perfect for summer picnics or as a healthy side dish for your backyard BBQ.
It’s no secret our family almost always has a salad in the fridge; Big Batch Salads are a staple over here! But we’re always looking for new ways to up our salad game. When it comes to more hearty, lettuce-free salads it’s broccoli’s time to shine my friends. These little ‘green trees’ (as Max would call them) are packed with nutrients. Loaded with fibre and nutrients like potassium, vitamin C and K, broccoli is an all-star.
I think one of the best things about this salad is how flexible it is. No raisins, no problem! Add in some dried cranberries or other dried fruit, or even some fresh blueberries. This salad can easily be adapted to be nut free by leaving out the sliced almonds. If you want to up the protein in here you can add in a can of chickpeas or another nut like pecans or walnuts.
We loved the creaminess that the little bit of mayo added but you can easily leave it out for a less creamy salad. The vinaigrette is flavourful enough without it.
This is the perfect summer salad filled with fresh ingredients when turning on the stove is the last thing you want to do. You can make it ahead of time and leave the dressing off, or let the dressing sink in for a couple hours before enjoying. Have it for lunch, or have it for dinner as a side dish.
You can make this naturally gluten free dish vegan by using vegan mayo (I love the Hellman’s vegan mayo).
Healthier Broccoli Salad
Healthier Broccoli Salad
A healthier broccoli salad with apple, raisins and almonds for crunch. This makes extra dressing that I love using on salads throughout the week - you'll be hooked!
Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli florets* (blanched if desired - see notes)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup sliced celery (2 stalks)
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1 cup diced apple (Ambrosia or Gala are good choices)
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Dressing to taste (below) (we used about 1/2 cup)
Dressing:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise)
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teapspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup canola or avocado oil (or other neutral oil)
Instructions
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In a large bowl mix all of the salad ingredients together.
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In a small bowl or mason jar mix together all the dressing ingredients until well combined. Pour over the salad and toss to combine. Best served immediately!
Recipe Notes
*you can blanch the broccoli by submerging in boiling water for 30-60 seconds followed by an ice bath to stop the cooking process if you wish - this will yield a brighter broccoli with a slightly less bitter taste and a bit of a less crunchy texture.
If you’re looking for more easy summer salads this Soba Noodle Salad is delicious! Or if you’re looking for a meal salad this Cowgirl Salad is a classic. For another picnic salad try this Creamy Dill Potato Salad or this French Style Potato Salad.
This salad was such a treat! I had to swap blueberries for the apple and raisins… in between grocery shops. Thank you!