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Broccoli Salad Recipe with Honey-Toasted Walnuts

Broccoli Salad Recipe with Blueberries, Red Onion, Dried Cranberries and Honey-Toasted Walnuts is a beautiful side dish for any of your gatherings.

Healthier Broccoli Salad with Yogurt Dressing, blueberries, cranberries, bacon, and honey-toasted walnuts

You know those dreams you had when you were a kid about showing up to grade school in your underwear?

And no matter how hard you tried to pull your shirt down to cover your forgetfulness, the damage had already been done…because you already showed up…in your underwear?  

This is kind of like that.

Only it’s not you, it’s me. And this is not a dream, it’s real. But everyone’s fully clothed, and the underwear’s the broccoli salad recipe. What?

Let’s put the car in R and back up.

Now that I have your attention…

This is not your momma’s broccoli salad recipe. I don’t even know what that means, I just wanted to say it.

Healthier Broccoli Salad with Yogurt Dressing, blueberries, cranberries, bacon, and honey-toasted walnuts

Fact is, everyone who has been to a family reunion, picnic, or has spent time with large groups of people (read: everyone) has had broccoli salad. But this one is a little different.

Firsties: blueberries.

Seconds: honey-toasted walnuts.

Could this get any better?

Oh yes, dried cranberries.

Unless you’re planning on letting your hair down and turning the walnuts into Rosemary Candied Walnuts, the answer is no.

But you should still make Rosemary Candied Walnuts at some point in your life.

Third and lastly: Remember the discussion we had on Monday about mayonnaise?

The down-with-mayo convo? Same applies here. I used plain yogurt instead of mayo, and added fresh lemon juice and zest to dress this chockablock-full-o-goodies salad.

Am I still talking about broccoli salad?

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Replace the fresh blueberries with dried blueberries and omit the dried cranberries.
  • Use raisins instead of dried cranberries.
  • Swap the walnuts for pecans or almonds.
  • Play with the portions of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt depending on your preference.
  • Use pure maple syrup instead of honey.
  • Add 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Just add cooked bacon!

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

Here’s the recipe:

Healthier Broccoli Salad with Yogurt Dressing, blueberries, cranberries, bacon, and honey-toasted walnuts

Broccoli Salad with Honey-Toasted Walnuts

Broccoli salad with blueberries, honey-toasted walnuts and dried cranberries - an easy, delicious mayo-free broccoli salad recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 large crowns broccoli, chopped into florets
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 4.5 ounces fresh blueberries
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 3 Tbsp avocado oil mayonnaise
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Honey-Toasted Walnuts:

  • 2/3 cup raw walnut halves
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1.5 tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

To Prepare the Honey Toasted Walnuts:

  • Add all ingredients for the walnuts to a small skillet and heat over medium. Cook 5 to 8 minutes until mixture is very bubbly and walnuts have caramelized and turned golden-brown. Set aside and allow to cool. Chop the walnuts when cool enough to handle.

To Prepare the Broccoli Salad:

  • Soak the broccoli in a large water bath for 10 minutes. Remove from the water and pat dry.
  • Chop the broccoli crowns into small florets, and chop the broccoli stems. Add stems and florets to a large serving bowl.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, honey, and salt.
  • Pour this mixture over the broccoli and stir well to coat all of the broccoli with dressing.
  • Add the red onion, blueberries, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts. Toss everything together and serve with your favorite entree.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 6 - Calories: 134kcal - Carbohydrates: 26g - Protein: 3g - Fat: 3g - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 18g
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: broccoli salad, broccoli salad with blueberries, healthy broccoli salad recipe, healthy side dishes, no mayo broccoli salad, toasted walnuts, vegetarian side dishes
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Calories: 134kcal
Author: Julia
More Delicious Recipes To Bring to Any Gathering:

Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe with blueberries and honey-toasted walnuts - a unique spin on classic broccoli salad with a lighter Greek yogurt dressing

collage of two images of broccoli salad with blueberries and candied walnuts

 

 

Recipe Rating




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Noni

Monday 11th of October 2021

I’ve never seen a recipe call for soaking broccoli in a water bath before. What’s the purpose? Just to clean it?

Julia

Wednesday 13th of October 2021

I soak the broccoli to remove anything from it. If you'd like, you can just give it a good rinse, but soaking it is more effective for removing anything unwanted (pesticides, dirt, critters, etc)

Emma

Wednesday 16th of April 2014

This looks beautiful, and stuffed full of goodness! Thanks for posting!

debra

Saturday 12th of April 2014

I must tell you... I will use this recipe, forever!

Julia

Monday 14th of April 2014

Yaaaaay! So glad to hear it, Debra!! I absolutely love the salad too :) So simple and healthy, yet packed with flavor.

Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg

Friday 11th of April 2014

Hands down the best broccoli salad I've seen. I love all the flavors going on in here. pinning.

Stephanie Turner

Friday 11th of April 2014

This looks so good!! I cannot wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!

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