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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 Recipe (1) Broccoli Salad Recipe (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-7.jpg)
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.
![Broccoli Salad Recipe (2) Broccoli Salad Recipe (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-6.jpg)
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 Recipe (3) Broccoli Salad Recipe (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad.jpg)
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.
![Broccoli Salad Recipe (4) Broccoli Salad Recipe (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-2-550x825.jpg)
![Broccoli Salad Recipe (5) Broccoli Salad Recipe (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-3-550x825.jpg)
![Broccoli Salad Recipe (6) Broccoli Salad Recipe (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-4-550x825.jpg)
![Broccoli Salad Recipe (7) Broccoli Salad Recipe (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-5.jpg)
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.
![Broccoli Salad Recipe (8) Broccoli Salad Recipe (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Broccoli-Salad-8.jpg)
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
Broccoli Salad Recipe
5 from 27 votes
5
Cals:171
Protein:6.5
Carbs:11
Fat:11.5
Delicious Broccoli Salad recipe made with bacon, sunflower seeds, red onion, and goat cheese mixed with a creamy Greek yogurt-mayo sauce. So good!!
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size: 1 cup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 slices center cut bacon
- 1 large head broccoli florets , sliced into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup dried unsweetened cranberries
- ½ cup shelled raw sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise, I used Hellman's Light
- ¼ cup plain fat free Greek yogurt, dairy-or dairy-free
Instructions
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned, about 4 minutes on each side.
If you prefer to bake it, bake on a sheet pan in a preheated 400°F oven to (200°C) 15 to 20 minutes, until crispy
Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Chop or crumble.
While the bacon is cooking, in a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese.
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and yogurt.
Add the bacon and dressing to the mixing bowl and toss to combine.
Last Step:
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Video
Notes
Dairy Free Option: omit the goat cheese and use dairy free yogurt.
Refrigerate up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cup, Calories: 171 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 6.5 g, Fat: 11.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2.5 g, Cholesterol: 8.5 mg, Sodium: 279 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 6 g
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Categories:
- Broccoli Recipes
- Egg Free Recipes
- Gluten Free
- Low Carb
- Lunch
- Meal Prep Recipes
- Recipes
- Salad
- Sides
- Spring Recipes
- Summer
- Under 30 Minutes
- Weight Watchers – WW Recipes