Broccoli Salad Recipe
🥦 Broccoli Salad is a fresh, colourful and crunchy side dish made with crisp broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, almonds and seeds, tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. It is easy to prepare, nutritious and perfect for family meals, barbecues, picnics and potlucks.
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife
- 1 Cutting Board -
- 1 Baking Tray –
- 1 Baking Parchment
- 1 Salad Spoon or Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 lb broccoli crowns
- 3 tablespoons olive oil - extra-virgin
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 garlic clove - minced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup sunflower seeds or pepitas
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli
- Wash the broccoli thoroughly under cool running water and dry it well.
- Cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Peel away any coarse or woody outer portion of the stems and finely dice the tender interior.
- Keeping the pieces relatively small helps the dressing coat the broccoli evenly and makes every mouthful easier to eat.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Dressing
- Add the olive oil, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, minced garlic and sea salt to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk vigorously until the dressing becomes smooth and well combined.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- For a sharper broccoli salad dressing, add a small splash of vinegar. For a slightly sweeter finish, add a little more maple syrup or honey.
Step 3: Combine the Main Ingredients
- Add the chopped broccoli, diced red onion and dried cranberries directly to the dressing.
- Toss gently but thoroughly until every piece is lightly coated.
- Avoid aggressively crushing or squeezing the broccoli so the finished salad retains plenty of texture.
- At this stage, your homemade Broccoli Salad should look bright, colourful and appetising.
Step 4: Prepare the Smoky Crunch
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Line a baking tray with parchment.
- Place the almonds and sunflower seeds or pepitas on the tray.
- Add the tamari, maple syrup and smoked paprika.
- Toss everything together until evenly coated, then spread the mixture into a thin layer.
- Bake for approximately 10–14 minutes, watching carefully towards the end to prevent the nuts and seeds from burning.
- Remove from the oven and allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes. The topping will become crispier as it cools.
Step 5: Finish the Salad
- Add most of the cooled smoky nuts and seeds to the broccoli mixture.
- Fold gently until they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Reserve a small amount for the topping.
- Taste and adjust the salt, acidity or sweetness if necessary.
- Sprinkle the remaining crunchy topping over the finished Broccoli Salad just before serving.
Step 6: Allow the Flavours to Develop
- Although you can serve the Broccoli Salad immediately, allowing it to rest in the refrigerator for a few hours gives the flavours more time to develop.
- Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate.
- Add the reserved crunchy topping shortly before serving so it retains its texture.
Notes
- 🥦 Use Fresh Broccoli: Choose firm, bright-green broccoli for the best flavour, colour and satisfying crunch.
- 🔪 Cut Into Small Florets: Smaller pieces allow the creamy dressing to coat the broccoli evenly and make the salad easier to eat.
- 💧 Dry the Broccoli Well: After washing, drain and thoroughly pat the broccoli dry to prevent excess water from diluting the dressing.
- 🥣 Balance the Dressing: Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the vinegar, mustard, salt, or maple syrup to suit your preference.
- 🌰 Keep the Topping Crunchy: Add the toasted almonds and seeds shortly before serving for the best texture.
- 🧊 Chill Before Serving: Allow the Broccoli Salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 1–2 hours so the flavours can blend beautifully.
- 🍒 Adjust the Sweetness: Add a few extra dried cranberries if you prefer a sweeter salad, or reduce them for a more savoury flavour.
- 🌿 Make It Your Own: Fresh herbs, extra seeds, feta, or chopped vegetables can be added for variety.
- 🍽️ Best Served Chilled: This salad is especially refreshing when served cold alongside grilled meats, fish, sandwiches, or barbecue dishes.
- 📦 Storage: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator and enjoy within about 3 days for the best quality.