Can I make broccoli salad ahead?

This broccoli salad is a great make-ahead recipe because it doesn't get soggy or lose its appearance at all. You can make it up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container. The dressing can be made 5 days in advance!

Does the broccoli have to be raw in broccoli salad?

Yes! The crunch and freshness of raw chopped broccoli is one of the major appeals of broccoli salad. The dressing helps moisten the broccoli while adding some sweetness, and trust me, you will love it.

What are some variations of this easy broccoli salad recipe to try?

A great addition would be chopped red onion, bell peppers, goat cheese, lemon juice or crunchy sunflower seeds. You can really add anything you'd like to a traditional broccoli salad and it'll still make for a delicious side dish.

Healthy Broccoli Salad

Description

You will probably want to make a double batch because everyone will want seconds of this Broccoli Salad Recipe! It’s a healthier version of the classic version my grandmother made with Bacon, Cheddar and creamy dressing, but it is still absolutely delicious!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, preferable low-fat or non-fat
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons brown mustard
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 shallot, minced
5 cups chopped raw broccoli
1 cup finely chopped fennel bulb
1 cup shredded shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, preferably Vermont (4 ounces)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add bacon, shallot, broccoli, fennel and cheddar and stir to coat with the dressing.

Notes

To Make Ahead: The dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator. The salad can be made in its entirely two days ahead. Stir again to redistribute the dressing just before serving.

Note about the Mustard: I added a relatively bold amount of brown deli mustard to this broccoli salad dressing to play off the cheddar cheese. It makes it taste cheesier, that way you can get away with only using 4 ounces of cheese per batch. If you’re not a big mustard fan, or prefer a more mild dressing, drop the mustard to 1 tablespoon. If you’re wondering if you can sub in Dijon instead, that is fine, but it is much stronger than Brown Deli mustard, so only use 2 1/2 teaspoons of Dijon.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup each
Calories: 170 cal
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 7 g

Keywords: Healthy Broccoli Salad, Broccoli Salad with Bacon, Raw Broccoli Salad, Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe, Low Fat Broccoli Salad