What does broccoli salad contain?

What Is in Broccoli Salad? Raw broccoli florets. Yep, no need to blanch broccoli for this salad. ... Bacon. Cooked until crispy, then minced. Raw red onion, also minced. Sunflower seeds, for crunch. Look for the unsalted kind. Raisins. Feb 20, 2024

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad?

The salad is better if you blanch the broccoli. “Blanching” is a cooking term that means dunking it in boiling water (or cooking it in the microwave) just briefly, so the broccoli turns bright green and loses its woody quality . It becomes softer, your mouth doesn't have to fight with it and the flavors meld better.

How to dice broccoli for salad?

Chop the broccoli florets into ½-inch pieces and any remaining stems into ¼-inch dice . Peel any woody or course parts from the stem first.

What is the active ingredient in broccoli?

Broccoli and its active ingredient, sulforaphane were reported to possess tremendous pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antidepressant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic to mention but few.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad?

Broccoli can be prepared in numerous ways, including sautéed, steamed, boiled, or roasted, but it can also be served raw in salads or with dips.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli?

You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn't been blanched doesn't have as good of a taste or texture in recipes . However, it's usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it's not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.

Do I need to wash broccoli before blanching?

Before you cook or eat fresh broccoli, be sure to clean it to remove dirt, pesticides, and even bugs . You can wash your broccoli quickly and easily with water or a vinegar solution, and you can remove cabbage worms from the florets with a salt water solution.

Do you put broccoli in cold water or boiling water?

To boil, place in a pan of boiling water and cook the florets for 6-8 minutes. To steam, place in a steamer over boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli to be stir-fried should be separated into bite-sized florets, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and add the florets, cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

What do you soak broccoli in before cooking?

Nope, not those commercial produce washes; the USDA actually advises against using those. Instead, use a pantry staple: vinegar . Fill a large bowl with 2 ⅔ cups cold or warm water and ⅓ cup white vinegar. Allow it to soak for 2 minutes, then dump the broccoli into a colander.

What does a bowl of salad contain?

Common raw vegetables (in the culinary sense) used in a salad include cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, radishes, mushrooms, avocado, olives, artichoke hearts, heart of palm, watercress, parsley, garden beets, and green beans . Nuts, berries, seeds, lentils, and flowers are less common components.

What does a vegetable salad contain?

Vegetable salads may be marinated or sauced mixtures of raw or cooked vegetables. They are commonly based on tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, beets, and mushrooms . Cole slaw (from the Dutch kool, “cabbage”) is made of shredded or chopped cabbage with a mayonnaise or vinegar-based dressing.

What is broccoli slaw made of?

1For the dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. 2For the slaw: Add the broccoli slaw, broccoli florets, carrots, cabbage, green onions, raisins, and sunflower kernels to the dressing; stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.

What vitamins are in broccoli slaw?

Broccoli Slaw Vitamin A 35% Vitamin C 120% Calcium 4% Iron 4%

Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

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Delicious Broccoli Salad made with bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion, and goat cheese mixed with a creamy Greek yogurt-mayo sauce. So good!

Broccoli Salad

Here’s a great way to get a cup of veggies into your meal, serve this fresh Broccoli Salad as a side with a sandwich, burger, or your favorite protein. It’s perfect as a side dish for a summer BBQ or potluck or a tasty lunch option. It’s easy to customize to your liking – try adding in some chopped nuts like almonds, raisins, or other dried fruit for extra flavor and texture. If you’re a broccoli lover and need more broccoli ideas, try this Italian Sub Broccoli Salad, Broccoli and Orzo, or this cozy Broccoli Cheese Soup.

This light and easy Broccoli Salad is from the new Downshiftology Healthy Meal Prep cookbook by Lisa Bryan, is the best broccoli salad recipe! Her book offers over 100 make-ahead recipes that can be frozen or repurposed into different meals. I polled my audience on Instagram to see which recipe they wanted me to share from her book, and this one was the winner. I’m so glad because I really enjoyed it!! Her recipe has this as 4 servings, but I made it 8 1 cup servings which is perfect for a side dish. If you want to have it as a main you can double the portion.

A Healthier Broccoli Salad

This healthy salad recipe uses many nutritious ingredients:

Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
Sunflower seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and nutrients, like vitamin E and selenium.
Goat cheese is a lower-fat alternative to other types of cheese and is a good source of protein and calcium.
The Greek yogurt in the dressing boosts the protein content and gives the salad a creamy texture without adding too much fat.

Broccoli Salad Ingredients

Bacon: Use real bacon. I like center cut because it’s leaner. Bacon bits would also work in a pinch.
Broccoli: Cut a head of broccoli into bite-sized florets.
Red Onion: For flavor.
Dried Cranberries: Unsweetened dried cranberries add a touch of tartness and sweetness.
Raw Sunflower Seeds: Add healthy fats, nutrients and texture.
Goat Cheese: for creaminess
Broccoli Salad Dressing: Greek yogurt and mayonnaise (light or regular) make an easy creamy dressing.

How to Make This Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Lean Center Cut Bacon: Cook the bacon in the skillet or place the bacon on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F.
Vegetables, seeds and cheese: In a large bowl combine broccoli florets, red onion, cranberries, seeds, and cheese.
Light Dressing: Stir the mayo and yogurt in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture, and add the crumbled bacon.

What to Serve with Broccoli Salad

This salad recipe would go great with any almost protein, like burgers, pork chops, chicken, or steak. I also like it on its own for an easy lunch.

How long does broccoli salad last in the fridge?

Broccoli salad will last up to 4 days an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Variations:

Broccoli: If you prefer to blanch your broccoli, you can by boiling it for about 1 minute. Drain it, rinse it with cold water to stop it from overcooking, and dry it before mixing the broccoli with the other ingredients.
Fruit: Swap dried cranberries for raisins, dried dates, or diced apples.
Vegetarian Broccoli Salad: Omit the bacon.
Seeds: Substitute sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or pecans.
Cheese: Sub goat cheese with feta or shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Dairy Free: omit the goat cheese and use dairy free yogurt.

More Broccoli Recipes You’ll Love:

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Capers
Sesame Orange Broccoli
Broccoli and Cheese Tots
Roasted Broccoli with Smashed Garlic
Broccoli and Orzo