The Best Broccoli Salad Around
I know using words like “best” or “incredible” should be used carefully, but I’m not joking around. This broccoli salad could be served to me for every meal for a year and I’d hardly get sick of it. Actually, I take that back. After eating the Italian dish Sunday night, I may have to have some of that added in there too. But anyways…It was incredible and one of the best broccoli salads I have eaten. I also don’t feel bad about talking up this salad because the recipe wasn’t mine. I posted a salad recipe on Friday that had broccoli salad on top. I promised to share the recipe with you guys after Emilee and I made it. Auston’s mom gave us the recipe.
Emilee and I went to the farmer’s market on Saturday after eating breakfast at Zada’s and picked up broccoli especially for this. We also picked up grapes, obviously because they’re delicious.
After cycling class this morning, we stopped at Whole foods, Harris Teeter, and of course, Starbucks for the rest of the ingredients. Starbucks had the most important ingredient next to the broccoli, energy. Without energy there would be no broccoli salad.
For this recipe, you will need…
-*1 large head of broccoli (we used about three small ones), -*1/2 cup of craisins, -*1 small onion, -*2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, -*1/2 cup (or more) of light olive oil mayonnaise, -*1/2 cup sunflower seeds (we used unsalted roasted), -*5 pieces of crisp bacon (we used turkey bacon), -*3 packets stevia (or 1/3 cup sugar)
Turkey bacon will never be as tasty as full fat piggy bacon, but to make it healthy, we wanted to use it. It’s also hard to get turkey bacon as crisp as the real stuff.
-Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
-Microwave the bacon for 2-3 minutes.
-Place the bacon on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until crisp.
While the BACON is BAKIN’ 😉 wash the broccoli, remove the stalk and break it into bite sized pieces.
-Remove the bacon from the pan and squeeze the grease out with a paper towel. Removing the grease helps it get crispier. I saved the rest for salads and sandwiches. You only need about five pieces. When the turkey bacon is crisp, cut it up into little bacon bits.
Dice up the onions and add it to the bowl with the broccoli.
In a separate bowl, prepare the dressing. We used a little over a 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. Add the mayonnaise to the mixing bowl.
Instead of sugar, we used stevia. It tastes just as good.
Mix the stevia, mayonnaise, and vinegar together.
Add the sunflower seeds and craisins to the bowl with the broccoli and onions.
Mix all the ingredients together and let the broccoli salad chill in the refrigerator for several hours.
If you have a party or dinner coming up, I highly recommend this recipe. It’s light and tasty! You can make all kinds of substitutions and add different ingredients. You can add cashews, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, etc…just be creative! Also, you could totally swap the broccoli for chicken or tuna and make an awesome chicken/tuna salad!
I am a firm believer that veggies are always better with bacon!
I’m right there with you!
I’ve never tried mayonnaise sweetened with stevia and with apple cider…THIS IS ON MY BUCKETLIST NOW!
It seems like a strange combo, but boy is it delicious!
I’ve always wondered about the mayonnaise that is made with different ingredients (like olive oil, etc.). This looks good!
I like the olive oil mayo based better!
My family calls it ‘Crack’, it’s that good. I only use 1/2 C mayo, 2 Tbs wine vinegar & 2 Tbs sugar for my dressing, no oil and S & P to taste. My Sis-in-law has eaten this for breakfast!!! She’s addicted😁
Looks delicious
Thanks!
I use this same recipe..I like to use purple onion. So good!
Purple onion would be a nice add in!
This recipe looks great – I’ll have to try it out 🙂 Thanks!
It’s delicious. Let me know what you think!
I made the broccoli salad this weekend and I agree with you – the best broccoli salad around!
What could you substitute for the mayo
You could try to do a greek yogurt base or they have vegan mayonnaise. I’m not sure if it would taste as good.
I just made this using 1/4 fage plain greek yogurt and 1/4 mayo and it is delicious!! You still get the taste of the mayo but don’t have to feel as guilty eating it 🙂
This reminds me of the broccoli salad at Souplantation. I can’t wait to give this a try!!!
I make a broccoli salad almost identical to this.. the best!! Sometimes I’ll throw golden raisins and candied sliced almonds. Heaven. I could eat it every day of the year too!
This looks so delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
I make this all the time but cut up celery and instead of the sunflower seeds use pecans and red onion. My family also likes it better with a some fine shredded cheese mixed in.
The celery sounds interesting. I’ll have to try that out.
I love this salad! I add halved grapes to it also, so good!
Is the brocoli cooked?
Taralynn, I have literally been reading your blog for what seems like forever. I absolutely love your take on recipes, healthy living and life in general. I find myself planning out my meals and re visiting your blog for weekly meal inspiration. I almost feel like Julie from the movie Julie & Julia HA! I have lived in North Carolina my entire life, so I was excited to see that you are now living in Charlotte. I am from Wilmington but currently in Boone and go to Appalachian State. If you ever find your way to either of those places, I would love to give you advice on all the great cafe’s, restaurants and eateries to dine at. Hope to meet you someday, thanks for being a positive light, and inspiring so many people!
Xoxo,
Heather
I know what I am making this coming week with my pack or turkey bacon! This salad looks so amazing! 🙂
SO there is no need to cook or steam the brocoli? Sounds amazing! I will try it!
Hi i just wanted to know the serving amount and how many calories it is
My grandma always makes an unhealthy version of this. I made your recipe the other day and she had no idea! Thank you for posting this.
This was outstanding!
Our family loves this recipe.
I’ve never left a comment on a recipe before, but this one is amazing. I will be making this regularly! Love it!
yay!!!
Is this Gluten Free!
Yup
A nice replacement for bacon is smoked almonds.