Description
A comforting Broccoli Cranberry Salad that combines crisp broccoli, chewy cranberries, and crunchy almonds with a creamy dressing, perfect for family meals and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup dried cranberries (or fresh pomegranate seeds)
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar (optional)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast the nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the broccoli: If using fresh broccoli, wash and chop into small florets. For a slightly tender salad, blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into an ice bath to preserve color and crunch. Drain well.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets, dried cranberries, red onion, toasted almonds, and shredded cheddar if using. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until coated.
- Rest and serve: Let the salad sit for at least 10–15 minutes to allow flavors to marry.
Notes
Make it vegan by using a plant-based yogurt and maple syrup instead of honey. Can add cooked quinoa or roasted chickpeas for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: broccoli salad, cranberry salad, healthy salad, holiday recipe, vegetarian salad