Broccoli Salad Crunchy Fresh (Printable)

Crisp broccoli with tangy dressing, cranberries, and cheese for a refreshing side dish.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 small heads)
02 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
03 - ½ cup shredded carrots
04 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Add-Ins

05 - ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
06 - ½ cup roasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
07 - ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

→ Dressing

08 - ⅔ cup plain Greek yogurt
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
11 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and cook for 1 minute, then immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared broccoli, red onion, shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy tangy dressing transforms raw broccoli into something people actually get excited about eating
  • It stays perfectly crisp in the fridge for days making it ideal for meal prep parties
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that cutting the broccoli too small makes it mushy once dressed, so keep those florets substantial
  • The salad needs that chilling time to reach its full potential so don't rush this step
03 -
  • Using a box grater to shred your carrots gives you more even pieces than hand chopping
  • Toast your sunflower seeds or almonds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding them for an incredible nutty flavor

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