Ingredients
Scale
- For the Salad:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds (toasted for extra crunch)
- Optional: ½ cup crumbled bacon or cooked chickpeas for protein
- For the Creamy Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparing the Ingredients: Wash and chop the broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Shred the carrots, dice the red onion, and toast the sunflower seeds or almonds in a dry skillet until golden and fragrant. Measure out the dried cranberries and optional bacon or chickpeas.
- Making the Creamy Dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess as needed.
- Assembling the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded carrots, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and toasted seeds or nuts. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Be careful not to crush the broccoli. If using bacon or chickpeas, sprinkle them on top before serving.
- Chilling the Salad: For best flavor, cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften slightly while staying crisp. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use plant-based mayonnaise or yogurt and substitute maple syrup for honey.
- To blanch broccoli for a softer texture, boil for 1–2 minutes, then plunge into ice water.
- Storage tip: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add nuts or seeds just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (optional blanching: 5 minutes)
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook Assembly
- Cuisine: American-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6th of the recipe)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg