Looking for a Side Dish Everyone Will Love? Make This Broccoli Salad!

The Secret to a Crowd-Pleasing Salad? Broccoli & Crunchy Toppings!

This recipe is all about packing in flavor and crunch. Here’s what you’ll need to create a delightful and refreshing salad:

Salad All-Stars:

• 2 medium broccoli heads (about 1 lb): These broccoli florets will be the base of our salad, providing a satisfying crunch and essential vitamins.
• 1 large carrot, grated or julienned: Adds sweetness and vibrant color, along with beta-carotene for healthy vision!
• 1 apple, cored and chopped: A touch of sweetness and a good source of fiber. Choose your favorite variety – tart Granny Smith for a tang or a sweeter Fuji for a different twist.
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup): Adds a bit of bite, but feel free to adjust the amount based on your preference.
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted: These add a delightful nutty crunch and healthy fats to keep you feeling satisfied. Toast them in a pan for a few minutes to really bring out their flavor.
• 1/2 cup craisins or raisins: For a pop of sweetness and chewy texture.
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Creamy Lemon Dressing:

• ½ cup mayo: This adds creaminess, but you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
• ½ cup sour cream: Another source of creaminess. If using Greek yogurt, you might need a little less.
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed): Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
• ½ Tbsp sugar, or add to taste: A touch of sweetness to balance the flavors. You can adjust this to your preference or use a natural sweetener like honey.
• ¼ tsp sea salt: A pinch of sea salt enhances all the other flavors.
• 1/8 tsp black pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a touch of warmth.
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With these ingredients on hand, you’re all set to create a delicious and nutritious broccoli salad!

Let’s Toast those Tasty Nuts!

1. Grab your walnuts or pecans – whichever you prefer!
2. Heat up a pan over medium heat. You don’t need it blazing hot, just warm enough to toast the nuts nicely.
3. Add the nuts to the pan and keep them moving! Give them a toss every minute or so with a spoon or spatula to make sure they brown evenly. We don’t want any burnt bits!
4. Watch closely – these guys can toast quickly. After about 4-5 minutes, they should be fragrant and golden brown.
5. Once they’re beautifully toasted, transfer them to a cutting board to cool. You can chop them up now for the salad, or leave them whole for a delightful crunch.

Let’s Get Chopping!

1. Broccoli: Grab your knife and break those broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. No need to be a perfectionist here – a rough chop is just fine.
2. Carrot Time! Get out your grater and turn that carrot into beautiful shreds, like sunshine for your salad! You can also use a julienne peeler if you have one, for fancy matchstick-shaped pieces.
3. Apple Fun: Core and chop your apple into pieces about the same size as the broccoli. Think yummy bursts of sweetness!
4. Onion Magic: Thinly slice the onion. If you find the raw onion a bit strong, you can rinse it under cold water for a few seconds to tame that bite.
5. Salad Bowl Bonanza! Now that everything’s chopped, toss it all together in a big bowl. Add those toasted pecans and dried fruit for some extra crunch and sweetness. You can use raisins or cranberries, whichever you fancy!

Dressing Dream Team!

1. Creamy Base: Grab your mayo and sour cream – they’re about to become best friends in this dressing! Pop them both into a bowl.
2. Citrusy Kick: Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. It adds a bright, tangy flavor that wakes up all the other ingredients. Start with 2 tablespoons, but feel free to add a little more if you like things extra lemony.
3. Sweetness is Optional: Now for the sugar! This is all about your taste buds. Add a half tablespoon to start, and give it a taste. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a little more until you reach your perfect balance.
4. Seasoning Stars: Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper. These simple spices help all the flavors sing together.
5. Whisk it Up! Grab a whisk and give everything a good mix until it’s smooth and creamy.

Dressing the Salad:

Now for the fun part – dressing the salad! You can either add a little bit at a time and toss to coat everything, or go bold and use the whole amount like we do. It’s totally up to you! Just make sure all the yummy ingredients get a nice, creamy hug from the dressing.