Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts (2024)

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Broccoli Salad Recipe with Blueberries, Red Onion, Dried Cranberries and Honey-Toasted Walnuts is a beautiful side dish for any of your gatherings.

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts (1)

You know those dreams you had when you were a kid about showing up to grade school in your underwear?

And no matter how hard you tried to pull your shirt down to cover your forgetfulness, the damage had already been done…because you already showed up…in your underwear?

This is kind of like that.

Only it’s not you, it’s me. And this is not a dream, it’s real. But everyone’s fully clothed, and the underwear’s the broccoli salad recipe. What?

Let’s put the car in R and back up.

Now that I have your attention…

This is not your momma’s broccoli salad recipe. I don’t even know what that means, I just wanted to say it.

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts (2)

Fact is, everyone who has been to a family reunion, picnic, or has spent time with large groups of people (read: everyone) has had broccoli salad. But this one is a little different.

Firsties: blueberries.

Seconds: honey-toasted walnuts.

Could this get any better?

Oh yes, dried cranberries.

Unless you’re planning on letting your hair down and turning the walnuts into Rosemary Candied Walnuts, the answer is no.

But you should still make Rosemary Candied Walnuts at some point in your life.

Third and lastly: Remember the discussion we had on Monday about mayonnaise?

The down-with-mayo convo? Same applies here. I used plain yogurt instead of mayo, and added fresh lemon juice and zest to dress this chockablock-full-o-goodies salad.

Am I still talking about broccoli salad?

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Replace the fresh blueberries with dried blueberries and omit the dried cranberries.
  • Use raisins instead of dried cranberries.
  • Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds.
  • Play with the portions of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt depending on your preference.
  • Use pure maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Add 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Just add cooked bacon!

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

Here’s the recipe:

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts (3)

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4.50 from 2 votes

Broccoli Salad with Honey-Toasted Walnuts

Broccoli salad with blueberries, honey-toasted walnuts and dried cranberries - an easy, delicious mayo-free broccoli salad recipe

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Salads

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

Calories: 134kcal

Author: Julia

Ingredients

  • 2 large crowns broccoli chopped into florets
  • ¼ red onion thinly sliced
  • 4.5 ounces fresh blueberries
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil mayonnaise
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Honey-Toasted Walnuts:

  • 2/3 cup raw walnut halves
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1.5 tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

To Prepare the Honey Toasted Walnuts:

  • Add all ingredients for the walnuts to a small skillet and heat over medium. Cook 5 to 8 minutes until mixture is very bubbly and walnuts have caramelized and turned golden-brown. Set aside and allow to cool. Chop the walnuts when cool enough to handle.

To Prepare the Broccoli Salad:

  • Soak the broccoli in a large water bath for 10 minutes. Remove from the water and pat dry.

  • Chop the broccoli crowns into small florets, and chop the broccoli stems. Add stems and florets to a large serving bowl.

  • In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, honey, and salt.

  • Pour this mixture over the broccoli and stir well to coat all of the broccoli with dressing.

  • Add the red onion, blueberries, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. Toss everything together and serve with your favorite entree.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6 | Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g

More Delicious Recipes To Bring to Any Gathering:

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts (2024)

FAQs

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad? ›

The short cooking time brings out the natural colors in the fruit or vegetable before they can turn a displeasing color (because no one wants to eat ugly broccoli!). By stopping the cooking process, the color-changing enzymes are deactivated and the vegetable maintains its vibrant color.

What is broccoli salad made of? ›

Broccoli Salad
  • 8 cups broccoli florets (about 1¼ pounds), cut into bite size pieces.
  • 12 ounces bacon, cooked, chopped.
  • ½ cup finely chopped red onions.
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds.
  • 1 cup raisins.
May 6, 2024

How many calories are in a cup of broccoli salad? ›

There are 330 calories in 1 cup of Broccoli Salad. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli? ›

If you don't blanch your broccoli, it will turn color and acquire a bitter taste. You can either stick it in boiling water for three minutes to blanch, or steam it for five minutes, whichever you choose.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

How to make brocoli salad? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar and honey. Toss salad ingredients with dressing: Combine broccoli florets, almonds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well.

What did broccoli used to be called? ›

Like all the other brassicas, broccoli was developed from the wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. oleracea), also called colewort or field cabbage.

What are broccoli and cabbage called? ›

If you're looking for vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals and even have anti-cancer properties, look no further than the group known as cruciferous vegetables. This group of leafy greens, cabbages and mustard-like veggies pack a nutritional punch and some seriously versatile flavors.

Do you wash broccoli before or after cutting? ›

Rinse Broccoli Under Running Water

Edwards says the best way to clean broccoli is to run it under cold water after the stem has been trimmed and the head has been cut into florets. This can be done easily by placing florets into a colander.

Should I cut broccoli before blanching? ›

Once you have separated the broccoli into florets and peeled and chopped the stems, drop the broccoli pieces into the pot of rapidly boiling water. Let them cook for 2 minutes. Alternatively, steam the broccoli for 2 minutes in a vegetable steamer rather than boiling it. Drain the broccoli in a colander.

Do you cut broccoli before or after boiling? ›

broccoli should be chopped after it's boiled.

How many cups of broccoli is 100 calories? ›

100 calories of broccoli is 300 grams. Which is 4.25 cups.

Is broccoli a carbohydrate, fat, or protein? ›

Summary. Broccoli is a low calorie food, primarily containing carbs and protein with little fat. It is high in nutrients including vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, and vitamin A.

How many calories are in a California broccoli salad? ›

Nutrition Info Per Serving
Calories200
Sodium410mg
Total Carbs25g
Dietary Fiber3g
Sugars15g
4 more rows

Is blanching broccoli necessary? ›

Why do you blanch broccoli before cooking? Blanching is a cooking process that removes the harsh, bitter taste of raw broccoli while setting its bright green color. It also ensures that the broccoli won't be overcooked as it can just be tossed with a finished recipe at the end.

Why blanch vegetables for a salad? ›

Blanching makes colors pop. It creates bright verdant beans and flashing orange carrots, and produces a crisp crudite bite. Now, more challenging veggies aren't raw at one extreme or limp on the other, but perfecto. Blanching expands your repertoire.

Do you have to blanch broccoli before eating? ›

It is so easy and delicious because it preserves SO much flavor and settles the raw, bitter taste. Blanching broccoli ensures that your broccoli is nicely cooked but also still has a nice crunch to it.

Does broccoli need to be blanched? ›

So, do make sure you blanch it to preserve its colour, flavour and nutrients. Discover the health benefits of broccoli and our favourite broccoli recipes, from sumptuous side dishes to soups and salads.

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