Broccoli Salad Recipe - Full of Flavor and Healthy (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This healthy broccoli salad is packed with scrumptious flavor, but it is also incredibly nutritious.Broccoli salad is the perfect way to enjoy fresh produce, and it’s a great addition to any meal. Winter or summer, you can’t go wrong with this salad.

It can be made ahead because the longer it marinates, the better the taste. It is perfect for hot summer gatherings because it has no mayonnaise to worry about. I also love that this vegan broccoli salad is something that my vegan daughter will eat. Its delicious flavors are so good that the rest of the family will also love this salad. This salad is sure to please everyone.

Many broccoli salads are made with mayonnaise and bacon bits, and some even have cheese added to them. These salads are also yummy…I mean anything with bacon is heavenly, right? I really enjoy traditional broccoli salad, but this nutritious broccoli salad is so tasty you will not miss these heavy-calorie items. It is an easy recipe with less calories and full of great things.

Here are the ingredients for this healthy, easy broccoli salad.

1 Lb Broccoli

Raw broccoli, the base for this salad, is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Use not only the crisp broccoli florets but also chop up the stems. Gram for gram, the broccoli stems have even more nutrition than the florets.

1 Large Apple, about 2 cups chopped

I used Cosmos variety in this one, but I have used Granny Smiths and Honeycrisp; they are all wonderful in this broccoli salad. Use your favorite apple variety.

1/2 Cup Walnuts

In this recipe, I used raw, unsalted walnuts. Walnuts contain omega-3 fats and are considered a mood booster. They are also full of vitamins and minerals. Don’t love walnuts or have any on hand? Almonds, pecans, or crunchy sunflower seeds would be a good substitution.

1/3 Cup Dried Sweet Cranberries or Craisins

Dried cranberries are nice and tart with a slight sweetness. Craisins are sweeter since they have sugar added to them. You could substitute with raisins or dried cherries if you prefer.

1/3 Cup Fresh Cranberries (optional, if not in season)

I like adding fresh tart, cranberries to this salad when available. Cranberries are considered a superfood. They add great color to the salad, but fresh cranberries are not for everyone. They do have a tart, sharp, bitter taste to them. Skip them if you don’t like them fresh or they are out of season.

1/4 Cup Finely Diced Red Onion

Red onion is a mild onion but is a little sharp and pungent. To mellow and take the bite out of the red onion, soak the cut onion in cold water for about 10 minutes. If you prefer, use a sweet onion such as Walla Walla, or Vidalia.

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

I like using Diamond Kosher salt, which is my go-to salt. Be mindful that the kosher salt granules are larger than table salt. If you use table salt, start with about half the amount and adjust to taste by adding additional a little bit at a time.

To make the healthy broccoli salad.

1. Chop the broccoli, apple, and walnuts into small bite-sized pieces and add them to a large bowl.

2. Finely chop the red onion and add it to the crunchy broccoli mixture along with the fresh cranberries, dried cranberries (or Craisins), and salt.

3. Add the tangy dressing (recipe below) and mix well.

4. Place this delicious side dish in an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours.

The best thing is that the flavor will improve the next day and stay fresh in your refrigerator for a couple of days.

Broccoli salad dressing ingredients.

• 1/3 Cup Extra Virgin olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons raw honey
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 Teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic – pressed or finely diced
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Pepper

To make the salad dressing.

Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix well. I prefer to add the ingredients to a mason jar and blend with an immersion blender to make it a creamy dressing.

The simple ingredients in healthy broccoli salad dressing are all good for you. If you are watching your sugar intake, you may want to reduce the amount of honey since the salad will get sweetness from the apples and Crasins.

In addition to its nutritional value, broccoli is also low in calories. This means you can enjoy a big bowl of broccoli salad without worrying about your waistline. The ingredients in this salad are very filling, so you’ll be satisfied after eating it.

If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious salad recipe, broccoli salad is the way to go. This dish is packed with flavor and is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Whether you’re a vegan or just looking for a healthy side dish, this salad will surely please. This perfect side dish will disappear quickly, so consider making a double batch. The best part is that it can be made ahead, in fact the longer it marinates, the better it tastes! Give it a try, and enjoy the fresh flavors of this nutritious dish!

I hope this fresh broccoli salad becomes one of your favorite recipes.

Yvonne♥

Looking for other great salad recipes? Take a look at these.

Easy Mexican Coleslaw – That Will Take Your Tacos Next Level

Simple Caprese Salad with Onion – Great on a Hot Summer Night