The creamiest, most decadent and delicious vegan broccoli salad that comes together in just minutes! The perfect potluck dish. You'd never guess it was healthy and dairy-free!
I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that this quite possibly may be the only broccoli salad recipe your face will ever need. And when I say quite possibly, I mean definitely. Because it's...perfect. Did I just say that? I just said that. I don't use that word lightly!
Whether you do or don't like mayo or mustard or marshmallows or butterflies, I'm fairly certain this will be a winner in your book.
Broccoli salad and I go way back. I have vivid memories of my mom bringing it home from Heinen's when I was in high school. I'd eat it right out of the container no matter how desperately she wanted me to put it in a bowl. What a difficult child I was.
It had oodles of mayonnaise and bacon and the like, and obviously, it tasted good. I never considered making it at home until I bought grapes and broccoli at the same time a few days ago and it dawned on me.
MAYONNAISE.
JK. Cashews. And broccoli salad! Like the one I used to eat! Nostalgia at its finest.
How to Make Vegan Broccoli Salad
I just KNEW I could achieve that same creamy decadence with cashews, and I was right. The dressing could not be simpler. Just blend up raw cashews with a splash of pure maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in the Nutribullet and you may just not know what hit you.
The base of this salad is raw broccoli. No groundbreaking news there. Let's talk mix ins!
We've got almonds, red onion, dried cranberries, and grapes. Crunchy, crisp, tangy, sweet, chewy---gang's all here. As far as almonds go, roasted and salted for the biggest flavor bang for your buck.
I like the grapes for that little pop of sweetness, but if you're a traditionalist, go raisins all the way. Or dried cranberries. Whatever bite of sweetness that floats your boat.
The best part about this recipe is that you don't have to cook anything. All you need is a trusty cutting board!
Watch How To Make Vegan Broccoli Salad (Video!)
I originally published this recipe in 2016 and seeing as I have oodles of delicious old recipes that have rather scary photos to go along with them, I figured I should spend time updating some of them. Since many of you clearly know and love this one, it made the cut.
This broccoli salad is one of those dishes that non-vegan folk would never in a gabillion years know was dairy-free and actually packed with wholesome goodness. We can keep that secret between us, mmmk?
This salad also makes a terrific potluck dish. Broccoli is in peak season from October through April, meaning it's high time to whip up a batch and share with the people you love the mostest. THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE.
If you make this vegan broccoli salad recipe and love it, let me know by leaving a 5-star rating and/or comment! I LOVE hearing your feedback.
Into broccoli? Check out my other recipes that are full of green goodness:
- Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cauliflower Soup
- Broccoli & Mushroom Breakfast Strata
- Kale and Broccoli Salmon Burgers
- Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
- Vegan Broccoli Cheeze Chickpea Burgers
The Best Vegan Broccoli Salad
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The creamiest, most delicious vegan broccoli salad with grapes, onion, almonds, and cranberries--the perfect potluck dish! You'd never guess it was completely vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- ¾ cup raw cashews, soaked
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- heaping ½ tsp sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the salad:
- 2 large broccoli crowns (florets only), finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups red grapes, halved
- ⅓ cup roasted salted almonds, finely chopped
- ¾ cup diced red onion
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions
- Place cashews in a bowl. Cover with water and soak for 2 hours or overnight. If you have a Nutribullet or high speed blender, simply soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Drain cashews. Add to blender with with rest of the dressing ingredients. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Place broccoli, grapes, almonds, red onion, and dried cranberries in a medium or large mixing bowl. Add dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled.
This recipe was originally posted in March 2016 and updated in April 2019.This recipe was originally posted in March 2016 and updated in April 2019.
Gwen says
I left out grapes and added a little more vegan Mayo mixed with ACV because it ended up a little dryer than I wanted. I took it to a picnic and It was almost gone before I went to get some. Thanks! I also added bacon but would have been delicious even without.
★★★★★
Alexis says
Amazing, thanks for letting me know Gwen!
Renae Beck says
We have been eating plant based for 2 weeks and this recipe is AMAZING!! It's so yummy you would never think "vegan" while eating this! Thank you so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Alexis says
I love it! Thanks a ton, Renae! You'll have to let me know what other recipes you try 🙂
Tina Cunningham says
Dressing was really nice. We skipped the step of soaking and it still worked well. We modified the recipe also: removed grapes; added cherry tomatoes, roasted sunflower seeds, 6 slices bacon (bacon grease into the dressing less than 1 tsp)
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Wonderful, thanks so much!!
Hilary F. says
A nice alternative to the bacon and mayo. Very light but still crisp and salty sweet. I didn't have salted almonds or maple syrup on hand so I subbed with salted pumpkin seeds and red plum jam. Will definitely make again with standard ingredients!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Amazing, thanks so much Hilary!
Lindsay E. says
Awesome! Can’t tell this is a vegan recipe. I omitted the grapes, substituted cranberries for the raisins and pumpkin seeds for the almonds. So easy to make and entire family enjoyed it!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Love those changes, thanks so much for the review Lindsay!!
Melissa says
Wow! I really love broccoli salad but I'd rather not eat bacon. This is just as delicious as traditional broccoli salad. Plus the added protein from almonds and cashews makes this a great light lunch. Next time I will chop my broccoli finer and make a tad more dressing. I will definitely make this for any future potlucks (covid permitting of course).
Alexis Joseph says
Wonderful thanks so much Melissa!
Heidi G says
Holy freaking amazing. This is definitely staying in our rotation! I cannot even believe how delicious this salad is, I forwarded the recipe to everyone I know!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
You are the best!! Thank you SO much for such a kind review, Heidi! And I'm so grateful for you sharing the recipe.
Eman says
Not even vegan, this is the best side salad in the whole world. Thank you for sharing. And I loved how the ingredients were all typical ingredients. You are awesome. Can't wait to try other recipes. Have a great day because you just made mine!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Amazing, thank you so much Eman!!
Linda Tazzia says
This truly is the BEST broccoli salad EVER...in taste and healthiness factor!! I've been wanting to try it for awhile and finally pulled the trigger. I am so particular and this dressing wayyyyy exceeded my expectations. Thanks for another great recipe. XOXO
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awww you made my night!! Thank you tons, Linda 🙂
Linda says
Oh my gosh, this was so good if I could give it 10 stars I would.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Thanks SO much, Linda!
Jocelyn Nugent says
Love this recipe, absolutely the best. Making it for the third time tomorrow.
★★★★★
Angela says
I was going to try this recipe but got so frustrated with the ads showing up on the print page.
Alexis Joseph says
I'm sorry about the ads, it's how I'm able to sustain running the blog full time and providing free content!
Jane says
This broccoli 🥦 salad looks divine. Forgive my ignorance, but when you say six large broccoli 🥦 crowns, are you talking literally six heads of broccoli? That sounds like an awful lot of broccoli 🥦!!! Can’t wait to make it. I can already taste 👅 the deliciousness!!! Thank you!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Alexis Joseph says
Hi there! The recipe calls for 2 large broccoli crowns, not 6. So yes, 2 heads of broccoli 🙂 Enjoy!
Sharin Berger says
how long do you think this would stay good in the fridge?
Alexis Joseph says
I'd say three to four days.
Sandy Loney says
Excellent salad!! The cashew dressing is super easy to make and it is absolutely delicious!! This will be my new "go to" broccoli salad. I did add a few bacos (fake bacon) for my husband. 🙂 He ate 3 helpings! Thanks for this yummy creation. Sandy
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
I love it, thank you so much for letting me know Sandy!
Carole T Calvert-Baxter says
This looks amazing - can you tell me how long can you store it?
Alexis Joseph says
I'd say 3-4 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, although it's best enjoyed within 2 days. Enjoy!
Juan says
I've been making this recipe for years and it's always a hit! My non-vegan family members always request it for summer get togethers so it has been become a staple for us! I've made it for work parties as well, and my co-workers always ask for the recipe. The point is, regardless if you're vegan or not, this recipe is delicious and everyone enjoys it! I can't recommend this recipe enough!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Thank you so much, Juan! My goal in creating recipes is always flavor first, so I'm thrilled it was loved by vegans and non-vegans alike.
Christine says
This is the second time I've made it and loved both. It's a great base to build on with any added favorites you might have but has all the right notes to match the traditional 'non-vegan' broccoli salads that makes them a favorite.
I do recommend considering doubling the recipe if you have a Vitamix blender since it's hard to get that super creamy sauce with just near a cup of ingredients. I doubled the entire recipe the second time I made it and the sauce is absolutely perfect.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Thanks for the tips, Christine! So glad you loved this one.
Christine says
This is the second time I've made it and loved both. It's a great base to build on with any added favorites you might have but has all the right notes to match the traditional 'non-vegan' broccoli salads that makes them a favorite.
I do recommend considering doubling the recipe if you have a Vitamix blender since it's hard to get that super creamy sauce with just near a cup of ingredients. I doubled the entire recipe the second time I made it and the sauce is absolutely perfect.
Sheri L Keene says
This would be a great dish to take to a party. I steamed my broccoli first, for 2 to 3 minutes, just to give it that amazing green color and make it easier to chew. Otherwise followed the directions and it was great!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Love that modification, thanks Sheri!
Lauren S says
Made this for a cookout & everyone was shocked when I told them it was vegan. It was such a hit!! Planning to make this more often (& using pre-chopped broccoli to make it even easier)!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Heck yes! That's the ultimate compliment 🙂 Thanks for letting me know, Lauren!
Jill says
Cut the red onion back to 1/4 cup but very good! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Glad you liked it, thanks Jill!
inggrid moyer says
This salad is absolutely perfect! Love everything about it, perfectly sweet and creamy. My husband gave it a thumbs up too!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome, thanks Inggrid!
Linda says
I love broccoli salad but it makes me sad that there is ALWAYS bacon in it!😝😒...'m guessing about 4 cups of chopped broccoli? Recipe looks perfect, making it later today! Thanks!
Alexis Joseph says
I don't have a measurement in cups, but I'd say a bit under a pound!
Gabriella White says
I got all of my in laws to allow me to make them a fully vegan dinner for my birthday. Gonna include this dish on the menu because it looks so delicious. Thanks!
Alexis Joseph says
Wonderful, I hope you all enjoy it!
KATHY says
Love this salad! Made it for my vegan friends and they really enjoyed it. Even non-vegans think it’s great! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
I'm so glad you liked it, Kathy!
Sue Murray says
Just made this. So quick. Added some roasted chick peas and it was a complete meal. Will definitely make again!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm love the chickpea addition. Thanks for the review, Sue!
Brenda says
Off the charts DELICIOUS! Always looking for delicious - vegan - no oil - raw veggie meals. This will be a “regular” on my meal plan. Already showering this website for more (they have several Kale, Brussel sprouts and others). THANK YOU hummusapien ❤️
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Wonderful! I'm so, so thrilled you loved it!!
Mimi says
Wonderful! So healthy, and absolutely delicious. THANK YOU!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
I'm thrilled you loved it, Mimi!
Becky says
I came hunting this recipe after having the broccoli salad in one of my Alchemy Meal Prep meals. Made a batch to eat this week - this stuff is addicting!!! Also made the carrot cake baked oatmeal after having it from the meal prep service. Thanks for having the recipes available.
Alexis Joseph says
I'm so glad! You made my day 🙂 If you'd be up for leaving a star rating next time, that would be stellar! It helps others find my recipes 🙂 Thanks again and enjoy!
Kendra says
Awesome salad. Delicious!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Thanks, Kendra!
Melissa says
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for posting this vegan option for one of my favorite salads. My whole family loves it too. kid. I made the recipe with sprouted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds instead because that is what I had in my cupboard.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Mmm that sounds delish. So happy you liked it!
Julie says
Have you ever made this with frozen broccoli? I’m thinking it would work but I’m wondering how many bags?
Alexis Joseph says
Hey Julie, I would not recommend frozen broccoli since the crunch of fresh is key here.
kawailani s piper says
This was excellent. I made it with only one head of broccoli and didn’t half the grapes or cranberries. It was sweet. Following the directions would be perfect
Alexis Joseph says
Lovely! Thanks for the feedback. If you'd be up for leaving a star rating next time, I'd be so grateful! It helps others find my recipes 🙂
Cornelia says
I've made this a couple of times now and it's amazing! I forgot to soak the cashews today so just put it all into a high-speed blender without soaking with no problem. I also added a couple of dried dates instead of the maple syrup and it worked really well. Today I didn't have grapes, so I added chopped apple instead and it turned out surprisingly well. Love it!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm chopped apple sounds wonderful in there! Thanks for the stellar feedback, Cornelia!
Jody says
sooo good, even my carnivor husband loved it. And I rarely get positive feedback, especially w vegan recipes!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Hahah that is the ultimate compliment!
Dottie says
So freakin delicious. I did not have grapes and I roasted my own almond slivers ala another guy. So so so good!!!!!!’
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm I love that! Thank you for taking the time to review!
Eileen says
THANK YOU for this amazing recipe!! I LOVE classic broccoli salad (Broccoli Madness-esque Salad) and this healthy, no-mayo vegan version is just what I've been looking for. My non-vegan boyfriend loved this salad!! Again, thank you!!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awww so happy to hear that it's non-vegan boyf approved!
Eileen says
YUMMY!!!.... and THANK YOU!!! for a DELICIOUS VEGAN version of Souplantation/SweetTomatoes's Joan's Broccoli Madness Salad!!! It hit all the notes...thank you thank you thank you...
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awww this is fabulous!! So so happy you loved it 🙂
Karin Feltman says
this is one of my favorite recipes and definitely my favorite way to eat broccoli! i added just a touch of liquid smoke, which reminds me of the bacon that was always in broccoli salad growing up.. perfection!
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm love that! Liquid smoke is never a bad idea. If you'd be so kind as to leave a star rating next time, I'd be super grateful! It helps other readers see which recipes people are making and loving 🙂 Thanks again, Karin!
Lisa Marie Cuthbertson says
This is a seriously delicious salad and will immediately be placed in my rotation. Thank you!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
I'm so happy you liked it, Lisa!
ANGELA says
Frickin' DELICIOUS. It's like crack.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Hahah best compliment ever!!
Polly says
Perfection!!!!! So yummy, healthful and easy to make. Thank you! <3
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Fabulous, thank you so much Polly!
Suzanne says
Absolutely delicious! Could throw in pretty much any veggies you want. I didn't have enough broccoli, so I added carrots as well. Yum!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Fabulous! Thanks so much!
Erin says
Whenever I bring this to a potluck everyone asks for the recipe. This is killer!
★★★★★
Julie says
Winning! My kids ate broccoli tonight without a single complaint thanks to this salad!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
You rock!! Love ya, Julie!
Heather O'Neal says
It was fantastic!!! Thank you 😋
Alexis Joseph says
Yay! Thanks so much for letting me now, Heather!
Alexis Joseph says
Hey again Heather! If you'd be so kind as to leave a star-rating, I'd really appreciate it! It's super helpful for other readers. Thanks again!
G says
Favorite! Thanks!!!
Alexis Joseph says
Yay, thank you!
KIM RUSSO says
UNEXPECTEDLY DELICIOUS! Made this recipe minus the nuts on the salad & it was downright addicting. The dressing surprisingly beholds its own level of seductive sweetness. And the added sweetness of the dried cranberries just made it hard to walk away from - like 3 helpings worth of "couldnt walk away from"!! This dressing will become my go-to dressing with many variations to accommodate a variety of dishes. GLAD I TRIED THIS - GAME CHANGER!! Thanks, Kim
Alexis Joseph says
Seductive sweetness--LOOOOVE that! Thanks a ton, Kim 🙂
Laura says
Oh man, as soon as you mentioned that you used to love the broccoli salad from Heinen's I knew I had to pin this recipe. Also, my husband hates mayonnaise but loves cashews so this is beyond perfect!
Alexis Joseph says
Hahah right!! Heinen's is epic.