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Broccoli Salad

This lightened-up broccoli salad is a fresh and flavorful twist on the classic. Made with a tangy dressing, crunchy smoky tamari almonds, and sweet dried cranberries, it's the perfect cookout side dish—with no meat, dairy, or refined sugar!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280kcal

Ingredients

Salad:

  • 1 pound broccoli crowns chopped into ½-inch florets and ¼-inch diced stems
  • cup diced red onions
  • cup dried cranberries

Dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise regular or vegan
  • 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt more to taste
  • Smoky Tamari Almonds:
  • ½ cup almonds
  • ½ cup pepitas pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon tamari
  • ½ teaspoon maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika more to taste

Instructions

Prepare the crunchy topping

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Toss the almonds and pepitas with tamari, maple syrup, and smoked paprika.
  • Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Let cool for 5 minutes (they will crisp up as they cool).

Make the dressing

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, garlic, and salt.

Assemble the salad

  • Add the chopped broccoli, red onions, and dried cranberries to the bowl and toss to coat.
  • Mix in the roasted almonds and pepitas, reserving a few for garnish.

Serve

  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Sprinkle the reserved nuts and seeds on top and enjoy!

Notes

Make ahead: This salad can be made a few hours in advance for the best flavor.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Substitutions: Swap pepitas for sunflower seeds or add extra veggies like shredded carrots.