Cranberry Broccoli Salad w/ Poppy Seed Dressing [Oil Free]
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
6 Servings
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Calories
312 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Salad
Cranberry Broccoli Salad w/ Poppy Seed Dressing [Oil Free]
Description
The salad blends fresh broccoli with chickpeas for protein, tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans or walnuts, finely chopped red onion, and crisp green apple chunks that are tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning. The dressing is a creamy mixture of soaked cashews, water, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, sea salt, and poppy seeds. The poppy seeds are folded in last to maintain their texture.
The salad’s combination of textures and bright flavors—with tart apples and cranberries balancing creamy dressing and crunchy nuts—is refreshing and substantial. Chilling the salad for at least an hour allows the flavors to blend fully before serving.
Short notes include soaking cashews if not using a high-powered blender and using tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor. It’s important to add poppy seeds only after blending to keep their crunch.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups broccoli cut into small bite sized pieces, florets
- 15 oz chickpeas drained & rinsed, canned
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup cranberries dried, unsweetened
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 green apple diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Dressing
- ¾ cup cashews raw
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt sea salt
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- Dice your apple and place in a large bowl. Then squeeze fresh lemon juice on top to prevent it from browning and mix well. Add all remaining salad ingredients to the same bowl and mix together.
- Add all the dressing ingredients EXCEPT the poppy seeds to your blender and process until smooth. Then add the poppy seeds and blend for 1-2 seconds, just enough to mix them into your dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad, mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer, before serving.
Notes
- Soak cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes before blending if you don't have a powerful blender to achieve a smooth dressing.
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith to provide balance and prevent sweetness from overpowering the salad.
- Add the poppy seeds after blending the other dressing ingredients to maintain their texture.
- Chill the salad for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld, but it can be eaten immediately if needed.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 312 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 312cal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 329mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 595mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 594IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 87mg | 97% |
| Calcium | 96mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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