light broccoli salad

This broccoli salad recipe is the best! It's healthy, too, thanks to the delicious honey-mustard vinaigrette (no mayo). This broccoli salad packs great for lunch and potlucks. Recipe yields 6 side servings.

Favorite Broccoli Salad

broccoli broccoli

raw sunflower seeds or slivered almonds

red onion

cheddar cheese (optional)

cranberries

olive oil

apple cider vinegar

Dijon mustard

honey

garlic, pressed

fine sea salt

Toast the sunflower seeds: Pour the sunflower seeds into a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently (careful, they&#8217;ll burn!), until the seeds are turning golden on the sides, about 5 minutes. Pour the toasted seeds into a large serving bowl.

Add the chopped broccoli, onion, cheese and cranberries to the serving bowl. Set aside.

In a 1-cup liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients (olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, garlic and salt). Whisk until the mixture is well blended.

Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until all of the broccoli is lightly coated in dressing. I highly recommend letting the salad marinate for at least 20 minutes, or even overnight in the refrigerator.

Divide the salad into individual bowls and serve. Leftovers will keep well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, covered.

I made this and loved it! Had to sub the sunflower seeds as I didn’t have any so used pine nuts instead. They worked beautifully. A really different and delicious recipe, I’ll be making this again!

I made this using broccoli and cauliflower and I blanched the broccoli briefly. Didn't use cheese and had mixed seeds not just sunflower. It was absolutely delicious!! The dressing is fab, this will become a regular in my house!! Thank you.

I don’t usually comment on recipes but this salad is so darn good! It’s easy to put together and the dressing is a nice combination of sweet and tangy. I subbed chopped dates  for cranberries. This will be a summer favourite for sure!

This is now MY favorite broccoli salad!!!  It is so delicious.  Everyone I serve it to is wowed!  Thanks for another winner Kate!

I absolutely love this recipe!! It has become my salad of the season I reckon it tastes even better the next day. Yummy!!!

Part of our Father's Day spread! So delicious, thank you.

This is one of those recipes that you make and try and then immediately think "I must share this with all my veggie loving friends"! It is delicious. I make it exactly as written (although I don't toast the almonds - I have 3 small children to chase around so no time) and occasionally use avocado oil instead of olive oil. And the more sharp the cheese the better. Every time I make it I have to gather all my willpower to stop eating it so my husband can have some. I love that it's healthy and full of flavor and such an easy thing to make at the beginning of the week (I double it) and eat for lunch all week long. The longer it sits in the fridge the better...if it doesn't get eaten that is.

Words I'd never thought I'd hear my husband was uttered, "This broccoli salad thing is so delicious! So good! Yum!"

I only had dried mixed berries on hand, otherwise I followed the recipe (without cheese) and it was indeed delicious. It's been requested that I make this every week from now on :P

Made this recipe with bottled honey mustard dressing.  Oh so good and even easier! Will definitely make again.

Can’t stop making this salad. I always leave out the cheese, and use slivered almonds. So fresh and crisp, sweet and tangy, and feels great to eat :)

Love this salad. So easy and tasty , but I use feta instead of cheddar
A go to for me !

This is DELICIOUS! The whole family LOVED  it. I used a little less broccoli and added a few shredded brussel sprouts and kale leaves, otherwise everything else was as written! Kate - you are a genius. Thank you for yet another super-tasty, nutritious and easy salad to add to the repertoire.

I made this salad and added 1 1/2 Cups of Bagged coleslaw mix &amp; toasted almond slivers I was looking for broccoli salad without bacon,  it’s delicious!  Will save this recipe!
Thank you!

I made this recipe today and it's delicious!! Thank you! I added a small granny smith apple diced, a little fried diced bacon and mixed nuts lightly pan browned (sunflower, pepita &amp; pine nuts)

I made this salad and it was delicious! I used the mild and creamy dijon in the dressing for a little less bite and added shredded carrots to it. I also used feta cheese instead of cheddar as another person suggested in the comments.

Overheard from my four-year-old: “this is the best salad ever!” I have had to adapt it by blending a smaller amount of onion in the dressing, puréeing the dressing to make sure the onion and garlic are hidden completely. This is my new favorite way to eat broccoli. This last batch, since I hid the onions and garlic, every child ate a full bowl!! Thank you so much! The acid in the dressing softens the broccoli perfectly. Adding a touch more honey and the cheese makes it more kid friendly. Toasted sunflower seeds put it over the top!

This is wonderful!  I needed a side dish tonight and I was happy to find this because, unlike most broccoli salads, it doesn’t call for bacon.  I used scallions rather than red onion, but other than that, I followed the recipe exactly.  Both my husband and I went back for thirds!  I will make this again and again.

I made this today.  I had to have a bite right away, and it was so good, even though it hadn't sat in the fridge for a while.  I didn't have any honey, but agave syrup worked just fine.  Otherwise made as directed.  It's supposed to be a side dish with our ribs tonight, but I added some chopped up ham to a small bowl of it and ate it for lunch.  (We are not vegetarians, but I love your recipes!)

I made this and it was delicious - thank you for such a wonderful recipe!

https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/EhwOA2Zg.mp4

Watch how to make my favorite broccoli salad in this short recipe video! This broccoli salad is so fresh, light and healthy. You’re going to love it!

Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe

I made this salad after visiting a friend in Queensland and came home and have made it up again. I did add a splash of balsamic apart from that I wouldn't change a thing

I love this salad and have made it several times. The flavour is amazing! I omit the cheese to keep it Dairy Free. The best part is that if (and this is a big IF) there's any left over, it is as good or improved the next day. I'm taking it to my next potluck and expect I will be asked for the recipe. Thank you!

Absolutely yummy . I doubled the recipe , used both toasted seeds and almonds but skipped the cheese . It disappeared quickly at a family picnic. Big thanks

I made my go-to-perfect potato salad and this recipe tonight. Wow…this was better than the potato salad! Just shared with my sister. It was the star of the meal…which included a charcoal bbq’d prime rib roast. Thank you!

I have made this recipe several times over the past few years. It is always a hit! I much prefer it to the classic mayo version &amp; after making it friends and family have become converts as well! It is very forgiving with varying proportions and I now can easily throw it together without measuring. Thank you, Kate!

Hi Ruthie, 
I take the kids portion out before adding the onions—that way everyone is happy! 
This is delicious as written.

This is the best broccoli salad EVER!! Thank you so much, i gave this recipe to all my friends and the most important ingredient is the dressing. I chopped broccoli slightly and put in the Thermomix ,  press 3 times  on Turbo and its done. 
I prefer with feta cheese   Delicious 

I was tasked with brining a salad to a group event. The previous Saturday I attended Farm Day in my area where I came home with LOTS of veggies from local farmers. 
What a perfect time to use the 32oz bag of broccoli!
My husband was quite unhappy with my choice to make it. “I HATE raw broccoli salad &amp; wont touch it!” I told him the other 11 people could enjoy it!
I can’t describe in enough complimentary adjectives that he used to share his LOVE of this recipe!! His words blew me away! He now wants to make it himself for a group of his friends!
Thank you for such a fond food memory!

I made this salad for company and everyone loved it.  It was great as a side dish or even a healthy and tasty snack.  I've never seen a response to broccoli salad before and can't wait to make it again.  People literally took 3rds and 4ths!

Favorite broccoli salad is the perfect name for this.  Another win from K+C that I make on repeat. The only time I change the recipe is when I have guests that aren’t fans of red onion so I reduce to 1/4c so it isn’t as strong.  Otherwise I always make it as written. Thanks again.

I didn’t have honey but did have all the other ingredients and had maple syrup so used that. It was delicious but had to use more syrup than honey. I just did it to taste.

I love this salad and dressing recipe! I sometimes add diced avocado or red bell pepper or kale if I’m eating it as a meal on its own. Saved in my favorites and enjoyed routinely. Thank you for sharing!

This salad is absolutely delicious and was a hit! I have been asked for the recipe which I’ve shared, that’s always a lovely compliment! I didn’t add the cheese as I didn’t have it on hand and it was still yummy! Thanks!

Have made this regularly. A very forgiving recipe. Have swapped out pumpkin seeds for sunflower seeds and added currants when I am missing cranberries. Have not put cheese in it yet. Always complimented when serving it. Many thanks for this recipe.

Hello
I used the broccoli stems, chopped up well, as well as the florets.  Excellent salad.

This was a hit! Made it for a BBQ with friends and everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing a delicious recipe

absolutely delicious.  Recipe is perfect as is.  What a nice option as a side!

Well, you did not lie. It is the best Broccoli Salad I have ever eaten. No Mayo! Wow, that is what makes it so good, the flavor is not covered with a heavy dressing. I just had to give it 5 stars.
Love your blog, have followed you for about 6 years. I always look forward to your recipes for the month.

This is delicious right after mixing together so can’t wait to see how much better it gets after it sits for 20 min.  I can tell I will be making this all the time!  Yum!

This Broccoli Salad is too good, thanks for sharing this.

I've made the creamy variations on this salad (with cheese and bacon) in the past and this really is the best one. This dressing gives it a much fresher taste and omitting the cheese and bacon, which get soggy quickly, means the leftovers (if there are any) keep better overnight. I now always make a triple batch and take one batch to each of my kids' households since everyone loves it!

I made this recipe (dairy free) for this first time today, when I had family over for dinner. It was a non traditional side item to a pizza dinner and everyone loved it! I doubled the recipe and thought (hoped) I'd have a lot leftover. I was very wrong!! It was eaten up quickly. I plan to make more tomorrow so I can enjoy it for a couple of days. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe!

My first time making this and it turned out great! It was for Easter dinner and everyone loved it. Super easy, which I need. I assembled it the day before and I used slivered almonds and omitted the cheese. The honey mustard dressing was a perfect balance. Thank you!

I love the idea of no mayo in this salad, but unfortunately, as written, it was way too bitter for my taste buds. Between the sharp cheddar cheese, apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard, the flavor just wasn’t pleasing to me.
I think the idea is great and it’s a good recipe in general, but next time I will add more honey to balance out the vinegar, possibly Swiss cheese instead of the tangy bite of sharp cheddar and I’ll be a bit more generous with the dried cranberries.

I made this today, and served it for dinner. It was the star of the show, beating minute steak and oven cooked chips. Didn't have cranberries so used home made cherry jam. Thank you from Manchester, England.

So delicious. My husband freaked when I told him I was making a raw broccoli salad. But, he loved it too.

Fantastic tasting salad.  I used toasted pecans as well and mixed cranberries and cherries.  Keeps very well.

Magnificent.  Aunt Jo's recipe is in the recycling right this very second.  Flavors are perfect and the tips included before the recipe text were well-considered and helpful.

I haven't even left it to marinade and,it's 5 stars!!!

Really yummy! I've made this 2x now. Once for a party and everyone gobbled it up, even the kids.  I just made it again. Love the dressing. I had cashews on hand so used those instead of sunflower seeds. No cheese because we're dairy free but it wasn't missed. I do blanch the broccoli first - makes the broccoli a deeper green and easier on the tummy. Thank you Kate for another fantastic recipe!

Used this recipe for broccoli slaw.  It was delicious and perfect.  Thank you!

I make this salad frequently and love it. I use pepitas. It is part of my regular rotation for healthy on-hand lunches as well as entertaining.

really good recipe esp. when broccoli is right out of the garden.
Wonderful dressing too.

Best salad, period. So says my six-year-old, and we all love it here. 
I always keep it basic, using only broccoli (stems included), almonds (or pecans) and berries. And the delicious dressing / marinade, of course.
I recommand using only the best and freshest broccoli for this salad, and to slice it very thinly. 
This salad is so much more than just healthy, it makes us happy everytime!

It is sooo good. I thought it would be hard to beat the old mayo type one but I much prefer this version. Saved to my favorites file.

i love this salad so much, i’ve made it so many times, it’s an absolute winner! thank you very much kate.

Wow this is the best broccoli salad I have ever had, you are right it beats the mayonnaise broccoli salad by far...

Truly delicious. I added feta instead of cheddar and swapped apple cider with sushi rice seasoning as it’s all I had- yummy.

https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/&rdquo;EhwOA2Zg&rdquo;.mp4

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Top 2 light broccoli salad recipes from across the web

The most viewed light broccoli salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

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Favorite Broccoli Salad

Favorite Broccoli Salad

The most viewed light broccoli salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine