EASY BROCCOLI SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES

This crunchy and fresh broccoli salad with cranberries is perfect for any occasion! It’s a delicious and satisfying dish that will impress everyone! This vibrant salad combines the crispness of fresh broccoli with the sweet-tartness of dried cranberries all complemented by the zesty flavor of red onion and the fresh notes of parsley or cilantro. Topped with crunchy roasted and salted sunflower seeds, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes. 

The creamy dressing, made with 0-fat Greek yogurt, champagne vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and a hint of maple syrup brings everything together with a tangy and slightly sweet finish. 

Perfect as a nutritious side or a refreshing light lunch, this healthy broccoli salad requires no cooking and is great for meal prep, picnics, and BBQs!

What Is Broccoli Salad Made Of?

Broccoli salad is a delicious crunchy salad consisting of sweet and savory flavors. It is made with chopped bite-sized pieces of broccoli, diced red onion, dried cranberries, parsley, sunflower seeds, and a creamy dressing. We have lightened up this salad by using 0-fat Greek yogurt as the base of the salad dressing instead of mayonnaise. The dressing is packed with flavor from the champagne vinegar and toasted sesame oil.

Ingredients Needed

For The Broccoli Salad

• Broccoli: Cut the broccoli into small pieces for this salad.
• Onion: Dice the red onion.
• Cranberries: Finely chop the dried cranberries for a burst of sweet flavor in every bite.
• Parsley: Chop fresh flat-leaf parsley or fresh cilantro.
• Sunflower Seeds: Add crunch to the salad.

For The Dressing

• Greek Yogurt: We used 0-fat Greek yogurt as the base of the dressing. It makes the dressing lighter and adds some protein.
• Champagne Vinegar: Adds acidity and a lovely light vinegar flavor to the dressing.
• Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness to the dressing.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds delicious flavor to the dressing. It is packed with so much flavor that only a small amount is needed.
• Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper: To enhance the flavors of the dressing.

How To Make Healthy Broccoli Salad With Cranberries

Step 1: Wash and dry the broccoli. Then, chop the broccoli florets into small, bite-sized pieces.

Next, dice the red onion, finely chop the dried cranberries, and chop the parsley.

Step 2: Then, add the broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, parsley, and sunflower seeds to a large bowl.

Step 3: Next, thoroughly mix the 0-fat Greek yogurt, champagne vinegar, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Pour the dressing into the bowl with the salad.

Then, thoroughly toss the salad and enjoy!

Tips For The Best Broccoli Salad

• Add The Sunflower Seeds At The End: We recommend that you add the sunflower seeds at the end when you are ready to eat the salad so they don’t get soggy if you store this broccoli salad in the refrigerator.
• Chop The Cranberries: We recommend finely chopping the dried cranberries so the flavor is distributed throughout the salad. Also, this gives you cranberry flavor throughout while not having to use as many.
• Dry The Broccoli: You want to wash and dry the broccoli before cutting it. Just make sure the broccoli is completely dry because you don’t want a watery salad.
• Cut The Broccoli: You want to cut the broccoli florets into small bite-sized pieces. This makes for the perfect bite of salad!

What To Serve With Broccoli Salad

This broccoli salad with cranberries is such a great side dish! It’s perfect for parties, potlucks, gatherings, and BBQs. Serve it with other side dishes such as our cauliflower potato salad or with cooked protein such as salmon, air fryer chicken bites, or slow cooker BBQ chicken.

Storage Instructions

You can store leftovers of this broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Variations and Substitutions

• Champagne Vinegar Substitution: Champagne vinegar adds a lovely acidic flavor to the dressing. If you don’t have champagne vinegar, you can replace it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• Substitution For Cranberries: You can replace the dried cranberries in this salad with raisins or golden raisins. We recommend finely chopping them to disperse the flavor throughout while using less.
• Sunflower Seeds Substitution: If you don’t have sunflower seeds, they can be replaced with salted sprouted pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds.
• Add Bacon: Cooked and chopped bacon or turkey bacon is a great addition to this broccoli salad if you would like to add some more savory flavor. It’s easy to cook bacon slices in the oven!
• Add Feta Cheese: You can add crumbled feta cheese to your broccoli salad.
• More Add-Ins: Some other optional add-ins are shredded carrots, sliced red grapes, or diced apple.
• Add Nuts: Almonds or chopped walnuts would be a delicious addition and add even more crunch.
• Maple Syrup Substitution: You could substitute the maple syrup in the dressing for honey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Eat Broccoli Raw In Salad?

Yes, you can eat raw broccoli in salads. There is no cooking required to make this broccoli salad.

Is Broccoli Salad Healthy?

This broccoli salad is a healthy option made without mayo! The base of the dressing is fat-free Greek yogurt. We have lightened up the classic broccoli salad while keeping the delicious flavors.

Can I Make Broccoli Salad Vegan?

You can make this broccoli salad vegan and dairy-free if you use a plain plant-based yogurt. Also, don’t add any bacon or feta cheese.

Can You Make Broccoli Salad In Advance?

Yes, you can make this broccoli salad in advance. However, don’t add the sunflower seeds until ready to serve so they don’t get soggy. Also, store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. Chilling it for a few hours or eating it the following day lets the flavors combine and marinate together.

How Long Does Broccoli Salad Last?

This broccoli salad will last 2-3 days in the fridge. We recommend eating it the day you make it or the following day.

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Honey Soy Ginger Sauce For Broccoli
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad With Pecans
• Healthy Waldorf Chicken Salad
• Apple Cabbage Salad With Maple Vinaigrette
• Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
• Carrot Raisin Salad

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.