Healthy Broccoli Salad recipe
This Healthy Broccoli Salad is a fresh, crunchy, and delicious side dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple weeknight meal. Packed with nutritious ingredients and tossed in a light, creamy dressing, it’s a guilt-free alternative to traditional heavy broccoli salads.
Unlike classic versions loaded with mayo and sugar, this recipe keeps things light with Greek yogurt, a touch of honey, and zesty lemon juice. The result? A flavorful, protein-packed salad that’s just as satisfying but much better for you!
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Salad
✅ Nutrient-packed – Broccoli is rich in fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants.
✅ Lightened-up dressing – Uses Greek yogurt instead of mayo for extra protein.
✅ Crunchy & fresh – Apples, red onion, and sunflower seeds add great texture.
✅ Easy to make – Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal prep!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- broccoli – this is the star of the dish and you’ll need about 5 cups of raw broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces, about 2 small heads of broccoli.
- greek yogurt – we are swapping out the mayonnaise for some plain Greek yogurt to make this a much healthier salad! You can of course use mayo instead if you prefer or almond milk yogurt if dairy-free.
- dijon mustard – this gives such a delicious zippy flavor and helps to balance out that strong Greek yogurt taste.
- apple cider vinegar – this adds a nice tangy flavor.
- honey – adds a little sweetness without using any refined sugar, you could also substitute with maple syrup.
- lemon juice – adds a fresh pop of flavor and brightens up this whole salad
- salt and pepper – needed to season the salad.
- mix-ins – I used a mixture of chopped red onion, raisins, red grapes and sunflower seeds for a good crunch, but you could also add in some carrots, cooked bacon (or bacon bits), chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or cashews, dried cranberries, dried cherries, or even some shredded sharp cheddar cheese!
How to Make Healthy Broccoli Salad
I love how quick this salad takes to throw together with just a few simple steps!
1.Chop your veggies. Wash and chop the broccoli into bite-size florets, chop the red onion and slice the red grapes.
2.Make the dressing. In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon juice and salt/pepper until creamy and smooth. Feel free to add a touch of olive oil or water if you want a thinner consistency.
3,Combine everything! Mix together all the chopped broccoli and rest of the ingredients for this salad in a large bowl then toss together with the creamy Greek yogurt dressing until everything is nicely coated. Taste the salad and season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
4.Let chill. You’ll want to let this salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to 24 hours so that the broccoli really soaks up that delicious dressing and everything is more flavorful! Give it a good stir again before serving.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
This salad stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a great meal prep option. If making ahead, wait to add the sunflower seeds until serving to keep them crunchy.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this salad with grilled chicken, fish, or your favorite protein for a complete meal. It’s also a fantastic side for BBQs, holiday gatherings, or packed lunches!
Final Thoughts
This Healthy Broccoli Salad is proof that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. With its crisp veggies, creamy-yet-light dressing, and satisfying crunch, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Give it a try and see how delicious healthy eating can be!
