Broccoli Salad with Lighter Creamy Dressing

User Reviews

5

60 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    15 mins

  • Servings

    6 - 8 people

  • Calories

    290 kcal

Broccoli Salad with Lighter Creamy Dressing

This Broccoli Salad features crisp florets combined with cooked bacon, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and red onion, all tossed in a creamy, lighter dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice. The dressing softens the broccoli slightly while blending savory, tangy, and sweet elements. It's best prepared ahead to allow flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften just enough without losing its crunch. This salad offers a flavorful balance of textures and can serve as a refreshing side dish.

Description

Broccoli Salad with Lighter Creamy Dressing combines raw broccoli florets sliced thinly with cooked bacon, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and red onion. The dressing is made by whisking together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, milk, lemon juice, garlic, and dried herbs and spices. After tossing the salad in the dressing, it is chilled for a minimum of two hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld. The dressing tenderizes the broccoli slightly, making it tender crisp instead of raw and crunchy.

The flavor profile balances savory bacon and onion with the sweet dried cranberries and subtle tang from the lemon-infused creamy dressing. The almonds add a mild nutty crunch. The salad features contrasting textures from the tender but slightly firm broccoli to the soft dressing coating the ingredients.

This salad is suited to serve as a side dish with grilled meats or potlucks. Bringing it to room temperature before serving allows the flavors to come through fully. For those sensitive to raw broccoli’s crunch, the dressing softens it to enhance enjoyment.

The recipe notes suggest using quality mayonnaise for balanced flavor and recommend steaming broccoli as an alternative if raw is not desired. Allowing the salad to rest overnight brings the best textural and flavor harmony.

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Ingredients

Servings

Broccoli Salad:

  • 500 g/1 lb broccoli 2 large heads, 22cm/9" diameter, florets
  • 150 g/5oz Bacon , chopped then cooked until golden
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries (or raisins, sultanas or blueberries)
  • 1/2 cup almond slivered
  • 1/2 red onion , finely sliced

Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup Greek yoghurt or sour cream
  • 1/4 cup / 65ml milk , low fat
  • 1/4 cup / 65ml lemon juice (or cider vinegar)
  • 2 garlic minced, cloves
  • 1 tsp onion powder garlic powder, mustard powder, each
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp dill dried
  • 1 tsp parsley dried
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper finely ground

Instructions

  1. Cut the florets into slices no thicker than 0.7 cm / 1/4" thick.
  2. Place in a bowl with remaining Salad ingredients.
  3. Mix Dressing well in a large bowl - use a whisk to ensure it's all well incorporated. It will be thin and pourable - see video for consistency.
  4. Pour all over Salad, toss well.
  5. Cover and refrigerate overnight (minimum 2 hours). Remove from fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

  • Allow the salad to chill for at least 2 hours or overnight for optimal flavor melding and softened broccoli texture.
  • If raw broccoli's crunch is not preferred, lightly steaming the florets before tossing can improve tenderness.
  • Use a good quality mayonnaise like Hellman's or S&W to maintain balanced flavor in the dressing.
  • Remove salad from the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving to enhance flavor delivery.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 290cal (15%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6- 8 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 290 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 290cal 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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60 reviews
Excellent

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