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    Hummusapien Β» Recipes Β» Side Dishes Β» Healthy Broccoli Salad

    ★★★★★ from 11 reviews

    Healthy Broccoli Salad

    Published Jun 16, 2022 Β· Modified Jan 24, 2023 Β· by Alexis Joseph Β· 31 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Healthy Broccoli Salad made with Greek yogurt (no mayo!) for a crowd-pleasing summer side dish or lunch! Tangy, creamy, and satisfying.

    broccoli salad on plate with silver fork.

    I have a love affair with my Vegan Broccoli Salad, as do many of you. While I loooove creating and eating plant-powered recipes, I don't eat a vegan diet at home. So, since I eat yogurt and eggs and dairy and fish, I feel it's important for me to showcase a variety of recipes on this blog that mirror how I eat in real life.

    It's high time for another version of the picnic table classic....but with a sauce made creamy with Greek yogurt rather than cashews. Dontcha think?

    It seems that these cookout salads (potato, pasta broccoli, etc.) tend to be that ingredient plus copious amount of mayonnaise. Don't get me wrong---there's a time and a place for mayo. But we can do better that this!

    No mayo, sugar or bacon here. She's gonna be the star of your cookouts, I just KNOW IT.

    bowl of vegetable and nut ingredients

    How to make healthy broccoli salad

    Holy guacamole, making the best broccoli salad ever could not be easier. First, we don't have to cook anything. Considering the temps are above 90 these days, I'm not at all mad about not turning the oven or stove on.

    1. First, chop up your broccoli and red onion. Put the veg in a large mixing bowl along with the dried cherries and pepitas.
    2. Next, whisk together the dressing ingredients: Greek yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Done and done.
    3. Coat the veggies in the luscious dressing and BADA BOOM, we're in broccoli business. Taste and adjust, if needed. We must always taste test!
    white bowl of yogurt and oil

    What makes it healthy?

    Folks, this raw broccoli salad recipe is FRESH. It's nice and light, totally picnic-perfect, but still super flavorful.

    1. No mayo: instead of mayo, we're creating mega tang and creaminess with the quadruple threat of 2% Greek yogurt (don't use fat free), vinegar, heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and honey.
    2. No cheese or bacon: you can totally add these if you'd like, but I thought this salad was crazy satisfying on its own.
    3. A full pound of broccoli: and raw broccoli at that! You're definitely hitting your veggie quota with this dish. Be sure to finely chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces to avoid chomping down on a big bite.

    Do you cook broccoli for broccoli salad?

    No sir! I love how quickly this comes together because there's zero cooking involved. The dressing makes the raw broccoli even more texturally satisfying!

    Substitution ideas

    This is a broccoli salad with vinegar dressing plus the addition of yogurt for a creamy finish. Lettuce not forgot, recipes are meant to be a guide!

    • No sunflower seeds? Try pepitas or chopped almonds. I highly recommend using roasted and salted for maximum flavor.
    • No dried cherries? Use dried cranberries or halved grapes for a fresh, juicy bite.
    • Feeling meaty? Do you and add in a handful of cooked bacon or a handful of freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese.
    silver bowl of broccoli salad up close

    What to serve with broccoli salad

    I love making a summery meal by pairing this recipe with these black bean burgers, grilled fruit kabobs, summer quinoa salad, or grilled sweet potatoes. Mmmm grilled things!!

    And don't forget about cherry crisp for dessert, mmmk?

    More veggie recipes to love

    • Pesto Roasted Snap Peas
    • Broccoli & Mushroom Breakfast Strata
    • Vegan Caesar Salad
    • Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
    plate of salad with fork

    It's veggie time!!

    Print
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    broccoli salad on plate with silver fork

    Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 11 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph
    • Prep Time: 15 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 15 min
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: No-Cook
    • Cuisine: Amercian
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Easy Healthy Broccoli Salad made with Greek yogurt (no mayo!) for a crowd-pleasing summer side dish or lunch! Tangy, creamy, and just as good as the original.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    For the salad:
    • 1 lb broccoli, chopped into small pieces (2 medium heads of broccoli, florets only)
    • ½ cup red onion, diced
    • ⅓ cup roasted sunflower seeds
    • ⅓ cup dried cherries, chopped (or dried cranberries)
    For the dressing:
    • ½ cup plain 2% or full fat Greek yogurt (not fat-free)
    • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 ½ tbsp white vinegar
    • 1 tbsp honey
    • ½ tsp fine sea salt
    • Plenty of freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Place chopped broccoli, red onion, sunflower seeds and dried cherries in a large mixing bowl.
    2. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper until smooth.
    3. Pour over broccoli mixture and toss well until everything is coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar to get flavors to really pop if necessary. The broccoli will soften a bit and the salad will get even more flavorful as it sits.

    Notes

    TO STORE: Keep leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    TO MAKE DAIRY-FREE: Use this Vegan Broccoli Salad recipe instead.

    Keywords: healthy broccoli salad

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Maria says

      January 24, 2023 at 3:23 pm

      Hi Alexis
      And friends

      All I have in the house in no fat Greek yogurt. Is there something I can add to make it taste better like hellmans light mayo instead of running out to the supermarket. Thanks so much

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        January 24, 2023 at 8:46 pm

        Hi! Hmm how about adding an extra tablespoon of olive oil? Or you could do half mayo half non fat yogurt (or all mayo). Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. frankie says

      June 04, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      is their a reason other than taste not to use nonfat greek yogurt?? can’t wait to try this recipe!!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        June 16, 2022 at 2:12 pm

        I find the taste and texture is superior when there is some fat!

        Reply
    3. Philip Milan says

      May 12, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      I just made the salad and it tastes of this world. I added some sundried tomatoes to add color to it plus I added some dijon mustard for more flavor. This is a great keeper for us.

      Thanks

      Phil Elmira Ontario Canada

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Rebecca says

      April 30, 2022 at 3:28 pm

      Made this last night, no changes, to bring to a dinner gathering. So easy, so tasty, Everyone loved it! I did add bacon because I looooove bacon, but tasted it prior to adding and it was still great without the bacon. The dried cherries really make it sing. This is my new favorite side dish and will be in rotation all summer!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        May 04, 2022 at 3:05 pm

        Aren't the dried cherries so fun? I'm thrilled this was a hit!

        Reply
    5. Liane @ Foodie Digital says

      March 24, 2022 at 12:14 am

      Such a tasty broccoli salad Alexis! Made it for lunch meal prep, and will 100% make it again.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        March 24, 2022 at 5:15 pm

        Wahooooo thanks so much for letting me know you loved it, Liane!

        Reply
    6. Cathy says

      October 27, 2021 at 10:36 pm

      The best brocccoli salad ever. Took it to baseball wind up. Sent a copy of recipe to everyone on team. Host kept the remaining salad! LOL. It was that good. Definitely in my keeper of favourites file.

      Reply
    7. Liz says

      June 02, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      Made it and loved it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 03, 2021 at 1:10 pm

        Awesome! Thanks for letting me know, Liz!

        Reply
    8. Samantha Hubbell says

      May 25, 2021 at 12:01 am

      NOM NOM! Such a refreshing fave to bring to cookouts. Everyone always raves about it and asks for the recipe! Also love whipping up a batch for meal prep. I need easy healthy options I can throw in the ol’ lunchbox to avoid junk food while on the road for work. LURVE IT mmmk!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 27, 2021 at 11:41 pm

        Amaaaazing. Thanks so much, Sam! I need to make another batch stat.

        Reply
    9. Gina Quinn says

      May 15, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      The recipe says it is 169 calories per serving, but I don't see what the serving size is. Do you think it's a cup?

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        May 17, 2021 at 3:55 pm

        It's about a sixth of the recipe! I'm not sure how many cups but I'll measure next time I make it πŸ™‚ Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Sarah says

      November 21, 2020 at 12:10 am

      This is delicious, super quick, and I always seem to have this stuff on hand. If I don't have sunflower seeds, I've used almonds and pecans before. We have this on the rotation in our house, I love making a 2x batch and having it on hand for lunch through the week.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        November 21, 2020 at 8:56 pm

        Mmmm love the sound of those nut swaps! Thanks a ton, Sarah.

        Reply
    11. Janelle says

      September 10, 2020 at 5:46 pm

      Made this and everyone loved it. Thanks for the easy recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Mari Angie Sciore says

      August 26, 2020 at 7:28 pm

      This recipe was super easy and delicious, I will be making more of this pretty soon!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 26, 2020 at 8:53 pm

        Awesome, thank you so much for the review, Mari!

        Reply
    13. Dylan says

      August 04, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      So good, and perfect for summer BBQs!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 04, 2020 at 10:22 pm

        Yay! Thanks, Dylan!! Appreciate you πŸ™‚ Next up...Mac and Cheese!

        Reply
    14. Teresa says

      August 04, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      The Greek Yogurt substitute was πŸ‘ŒπŸΌ Made 3 hours prior to a family gathering, it was perfect. Super easy, made in less than 10-12 min.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 04, 2020 at 10:24 pm

        Yahoo! So thrilled you loved it, Teresa πŸ™‚ Thanks for letting me know! Miss ya.

        Reply
    15. Brenda says

      August 03, 2020 at 6:41 pm

      I’ve been looking for a way to make broccoli a weekly staple and now I’ve found it! This salad is so good and last all week long. I bake some chicken and eat this as a side for a yummy, easy lunch! Thanks Hummusapien!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 03, 2020 at 8:22 pm

        Yayyy thanks, Brenda!

        Reply
    16. Shirley says

      August 03, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      For those of us who are dairy-free, is there a tangy alternative you can suggest?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 03, 2020 at 8:21 pm

        Nope--I'd just make this tested vegan broccoli salad recipe versus messing with dairy-free yogurts!

        Reply
    17. Karen says

      August 03, 2020 at 1:34 pm

      Hi Alexis!
      Love this broccoli salad! I truly love raw veggies, but raw broccoli makes me gassy with cramps (tmi, sorry). I steam the broccoli for a few mins to make it more digestible. 😊

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        August 03, 2020 at 8:21 pm

        Nice, so glad you made it your own Karen! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

        Reply

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