Crunchy Broccoli Salad (Printable)
Crisp broccoli with tangy dressing, cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 small heads)
02 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
03 - ½ cup shredded carrots
04 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Add-Ins
05 - ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
06 - ½ cup roasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
07 - ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
→ Dressing
08 - ⅔ cup plain Greek yogurt
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
11 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How To Cook:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and cook for 1 minute, then immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, red onion, shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It actually gets better overnight, so you can make it the night before and feel brilliant when guests arrive
- The crunch stays perfect for days, unlike so many other salads that turn into a sad, soggy mess
02 -
- The broccoli must be completely dry before adding dressing or it will turn watery and sad
- Letting it sit in the refrigerator is not optional because that's when the magic happens
03 -
- Toasting the sunflower seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes makes them incredibly fragrant and adds such depth
- If using mayonnaise instead of yogurt, cut it with a splash of lemon juice for brightness