Love broccoli salad? Us too. There’s something about that classic American broccoli salad: you know, the one with raisins and a mayo-based dressing? It’s a retro summer salad, where the florets are marinaded in the sauce until they’re soft and savory sweet. It’s oddly satisfying and gives us all those nostalgic vibes. Here’s a new and improved version of to make it fresh and healthy: but it keeps all the character and deliciousness of the original. In fact: we think it’s even better.
Broccoli salad: new and improved!
Mayo dressing and raisins reeks of the 1950’s and 60’s, right? While we couldn’t find a definitive history of broccoli salad, it’s got all the markers of those decades. Usually this salad is topped with bacon and sometimes cheese: taking it from a fresh and healthy salad to a decadent treat. So here at A Couple Cooks, we set about to modernize this classic (just like we did with this green bean casserole). Here’s why you should make this broccoli salad recipe:
Dressing with just enough mayo. Mayo brings big flavor and texture, but it doesn’t need to be swimming in the stuff. This dressing is just the right blend of creamy and savory sweet. Vegan mayo is becoming easy to find: use that for a plant-based broccoli salad. Skip the cheese and bacon. Salad doesn’t need cheese and bacon to taste good! Removing those, it’s fresh and plant based. Same great flavor…or better! This salad is just as satisfying as the standard…in fact, we think it’s even tastier!
Ingredients for broccoli salad
Are you convinced? Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the base of this broccoli salad:
Fresh broccoli: make sure it’s at its peak freshness. The fresher the broccoli, the better the salad! Red onionCarrotRaisins: You also can use dried cranberries or cherriesMayo: Use vegan mayo as desiredCider vinegar Dijon mustardMaple syrup or sugar: Either works! use pure maple syrup for a naturally sweet salad!
Add the smoky sunflower seed topping!
Remember we told you we removed the bacon from the classic broccoli salad? You don’t need anything in place of it. But if you really want to take this salad over the top: make this smoky sunflower seed topping! It mimics the flavor of bacon using sunflower seeds that are flavored with soy sauce, maple syrup and smoked paprika. They bring just the right smoky and savory flavor to the salad. What’s smoked paprika? It’s a smoky Spanish version of sweet paprika. You should be able to find it at most grocery stores: it’s sometimes labeled pimentón. Smoked paprika is our secret weapon in plant-based cooking and we use it in so many recipes! Go to Best Smoked Paprika Recipes to use up a jar.
Do you really have to refrigerate 1 hour?
Great question: and we like that you love shortcuts (we do too). In this case though: the wait time makes a difference. Yes, you do have to refrigerate broccoli salad for 1 hour! Here’s why:
It makes just the right tender broccoli texture. Technically, you can eat it right away. But if you do, the broccoli is crisp. Honestly, it just doesn’t taste right! Refrigerate 1 hour, and it softens just enough. The flavors permeate even more! The flavor also tastes better after that 1 hour soak. The broccoli salad tastes even more tangy and savory sweet.
More broccoli recipes
Guess what? We have so many more classic broccoli recipes to enjoy this healthy veggie! Here are some favorites that you should try:
Broccoli Slaw This creamy broccoli slaw is irresistibly tasty! It’s easy to make using fresh broccoli or the packaged mix you can find in most grocery stores.Quick Cheesy Broccoli is the best fast and easy side dish! A fan favorite.Blanched Broccoli A simple, crowd pleasing way to cook this veggie.Epic Roasted Broccoli Makes this green veggie taste SO GOOD you can’t stop sneaking bites! It’s charred until tender, then spritzed with lemon juice.Pan Fried Broccoli Perfect for weeknights! Crisp tender and full of flavor. Parmesan Broccoli We dare you not to take another bite of this crispy, crunchy Parmesan broccoli!Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup Intensely creamy, satisfying, and 100% plant based! It’s an easy healthy soup that everyone loves.Broccolini Salad Want a unique spin on this salad? Make it with broccolini!
This broccoli salad recipe is…
Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, use vegan mayo.
More amazing salad recipes
Salads are the best way to eat your veggies! Here are some of our favorite salad recipes: 5 from 4 reviews
¼ cup sunflower seeds 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari 1 tablespoon maple syrup or sugar 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Classic Corn Salad Savory, sweet and creamy: with tomatoes and basil! Perfect for summer.Classic Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad or Antipasto Salad All the best pasta salads you need.Celery Salad with Apples Crisp and refreshing: unexpectedly delicious! Simple Carrot Salad Savory and tangy, it’s a crowd pleaser. Perfect Italian Salad That classic Italian American side salad, with garlic croutons and crunchy veggies.Easy Cabbage Salad Fresh and tangy, it’s got only a handful of ingredients to make big flavor.
