Looking for a light and satisfying dish for your summer barbeque? This Broccoli Crunch Salad is the answer. Not only is it a colorful addition to your table, but it also serves as a low calorie salad option that won’t weigh you down during those hot days. With its delightful crunch and creamy dressing, it’s a perfect choice for anyone seeking fresh salad recipes.
Imagine a bowl filled with vibrant green broccoli, crispy bacon, and a hint of sweetness from cranberries. This salad combines the classic Broccoli Bacon Salad elements with a twist, making it one of the best broccoli salad recipes around. Plus, it’s easy to whip up for cold lunches or gatherings, ensuring that you have something delicious and nutritious on hand.
Whether you’re exploring chopped salad recipes or looking for a delicious broccoli option, this broccoli salad recipe easy to make is about to become your go-to. It’s not just a salad; it’s a crunchy adventure that’s both refreshing and satisfying!
Affiliate Disclosure: "As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made from the images and links in this post. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites."
Overview of Broccoli Crunch Salad
The Broccoli Crunch Salad is a delightful combination that entices the palate with its vibrant ingredients. Imagine fresh green broccoli florets mingling with crispy bacon and sweet cranberries, all brought together by a creamy dressing.
This salad is not just visually appealing; it’s also a fantastic low calorie salad option. With only around 200 calories per serving, it’s perfect for those warm summer days when you want something light yet satisfying. Ideal for summer barbeques or cold lunches, it serves as a refreshing side or a standalone dish.
Fresh Ingredients and Nutritional Benefits
Featuring raw broccoli, dried cranberries, and crunchy bacon, this salad embodies both flavor and nutrition. Broccoli, often hailed as a superfood, is packed with vitamins and minerals, making it a great addition to any meal.
The addition of cranberries brings a delightful sweetness, balancing the savory notes of bacon and the creaminess of the dressing. This combination offers a unique taste experience while also providing a dose of antioxidants and fiber.
Preparation: Quick and Easy Steps
Preparing the Broccoli Crunch Salad is a straightforward process that takes just about 15 minutes. Start by chopping the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Crumbling the cooked bacon and finely chopping red onion adds texture and flavor.
The creamy dressing is made by whisking Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. This dressing not only enhances the taste but also keeps the dish light and refreshing.
Serving Suggestions for Various Occasions
This salad shines at summer barbeques, making it a great addition to any outdoor gathering. Its vibrant colors and crunchy texture are sure to catch the eye of your guests.
For those busy weeks, the Broccoli Crunch Salad can also serve as a nutrient-rich cold lunch. Prepare a batch in advance, and it becomes a perfect grab-and-go meal that remains flavorful even after a day in the fridge.
Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is delicious as is, there are numerous ways to customize the Broccoli Crunch Salad to suit your taste. Consider adding nuts for an extra crunch or incorporating apples for a refreshing twist.
You could also experiment with different dressings, such as a vinaigrette or a tangy mustard blend. Each variation can bring a new dimension to this easy broccoli salad, making it a versatile dish for any occasion.
The Allure of Broccoli Salad Recipes
Broccoli salads are beloved for their rich textures and flavors, and the Broccoli Crunch Salad is no exception. It combines the classic elements of a Broccoli Bacon Salad while introducing cranberries for a unique twist.
Many consider this one of the best broccoli salad recipes around, with its refreshing crunch and satisfying ingredients. Whether you’re looking for the best broccoli salad recipe or an easy broccoli salad to prepare for guests, this dish fits the bill perfectly.
The Best Broccoli Crunch Salad Recipe
This Broccoli Crunch Salad is a delightful medley of raw broccoli florets, crispy bacon, and sweet cranberries, all tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s light yet satisfying, making it a perfect side dish or a stand-alone meal.
With fresh ingredients and a flavor-packed profile, this salad is not just another dish – it’s a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of broccoli while keeping calories in check.
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Chop the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces, crumble the cooked bacon, and finely chop the red onion.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, mix the chopped broccoli, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, and red onion.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes for the flavors to meld. Perfect for serving at a summer barbeque or as a cold lunch.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 200kcal
- Fat: 9g
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
Diet Suitability Table for Broccoli Crunch Salad
| Diet | Explanation/Adjustments |
|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you ensure that the bacon and dried cranberries are certified gluten-free. |
| Low-Carb/Keto | To make it keto-friendly, replace dried cranberries with unsweetened cranberries or skip them entirely, and substitute honey with a low-carb sweetener like erythritol. |
| Dairy-Free | Substitute Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt (e.g., coconut or almond yogurt) to make it dairy-free. |
| Paleo | Replace Greek yogurt with paleo-approved yogurt (e.g., coconut yogurt) and ensure the bacon and cranberries meet paleo guidelines. Substitute honey with a paleo-compliant sweetener if needed. |
| Vegetarian | Replace bacon with a plant-based alternative like coconut bacon or crispy roasted chickpeas. |
| Vegan | Replace Greek yogurt with a dairy-free alternative, bacon with a vegan substitute, and honey with maple syrup or agave. |
| Nut-Free | The recipe is already nut-free, so no adjustments are required for those with nut allergies. |
| Whole30 | Replace Greek yogurt with a compliant alternative (like Whole30-approved mayo), omit honey, and ensure bacon and cranberries are Whole30-approved. |
