Pair tonight's entrée with Light and Easy Broccoli Salad for a chilled and refreshing dish complete with bacon, sunflower seeds, garlic, and honey!
A flavorful side dish (or main dish!)
Sometimes steamed broccoli as a side dish can get old. When this happens, my go-to is always a fresh, crisp, light and easy broccoli salad! Not only does this recipe give us a different way to enjoy broccoli, it also provides a refreshing and satisfying taste.
This dish uses all of the classic broccoli salad ingredients (onion, mayo, bacon), but with a slight twist. I made a couple of swaps to keep things on the healthier side, which you can read about below!
Broccoli salad requires only 30 minutes of prep time, and it lasts for up to 5 days in the fridge. It's a great option for enjoying throughout the week. We also love bringing this broccoli salad recipe to potlucks or bbqs. It's really the best broccoli salad recipe! Let's dive in!
Everything used in simple broccoli salad recipe
Simple broccoli salad uses so many delicious, savory ingredients. We'll start off with a broccoli base before adding on turkey bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds, and many other goodies!
- Broccoli: First up on the ingredient list is 1 lb of broccoli, chopped into small pieces. 1lb should amount to roughly 2 medium heads. No need to boil them ahead, you'll want to use raw broccoli florets!
- Red onion: For onion, diced up ½ cup. I love to use red, but white or yellow will work too!
- Sunflower seeds: Next up, add texture and subtle flavor with ½ cup of sunflower seeds. You could really use any crunchy nut in this dish, almonds or cashews would be perfect, too.
- Raisins: The same goes for raisins! Add a dash of sweetness with ½ cup. Dried cranberries would be a great substitute!
- Turkey bacon: Add 6 slices of cooked and chopped turkey bacon for a delicious and savory touch.
- Greek yogurt: We'll be using ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt to help reach the desired consistency.
- Mayonnaise: Next up, match the yogurt with another ½ cup of mayonnaise.
- Apple cider vinegar: Add a slight (but not overpowering!) bite with 3 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Honey: 2 tablespoon of honey will serve as a yummy all-natural sweetener.
- Garlic: Include 1 clove of minced garlic.
- Salt: Add ½ teaspoon of salt for flavor.
- Pepper: Last but not least, finish things off with ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
Tools needed to create this dish
To make easy broccoli salad with bacon, you will need a cutting board, chopping knife, small mixing bowl, large mixing bowl, and stirring utensil.
For measuring, you will need ½ tsp, 1 tbsp, and ½ cup.
How to make light and easy broccoli salad
This is one of the simplest side dishes, because absolutely zero cooking time is required! Just chop, mix, and combine. Oh, and don't forget to let it sit in the fridge for a bit!
To begin, pour the chopped broccoli into a large bowl.
Add the onion, sunflower seeds, raisins, and chopped turkey bacon.
In a small bowl, mix the remainder of the ingredients until well incorporated. This will be the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the bowl of broccoli and other ingredients.
Stir really well, coating each piece in dressing.
Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving, but honestly, the longer the total time, the better.
Recipe Tips
Here are some quick tips for making the best quick broccoli salad.
Let it sit for longer than 30 minutes
The recipe recommends letting the salad sit for at least 30 minutes, but it tastes even better when it's refrigerated for 2-3 hours! This gives the ingredients and flavors time to combine and really set in.
Finely chop the broccoli
Some people leave large florets in their broccoli salad, but I recommend chopping it into very small pieces. This gives you the opportunity to mix things thoroughly and to enjoy all of the flavors in each bite.
Add cheese
Cheese is always a good idea, including in this salad! Add cubes or small pieces of your favorite. Provolone, cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack are all great options!
Storing leftovers
Broccoli salad should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoyed within 5 days.
How this simple broccoli salad is healthier
I made a few swaps in this broccoli salad to make it healthier than what you may find otherwise. With just 3 ingredient substitutes, there's a world of difference nutrient-wise!
Turkey bacon
First, I swapped regular bacon with turkey bacon. This is an easy swap that has far less calories but still packs a flavor punch.
Green yogurt
Next, I used Greek yogurt to replace part of the mayonnaise. This contributes the same consistency while adding less calories. Because we're still using part of the mayo, the correct flavor remains.
Honey
Finally, I used honey as my sweetener of choice. This all-natural option is far healthier than granulated sugar in calories, nutrients, and its lower glycemic properties.
Ways to enjoy broccoli salad
Serve up broccoli salad alongside your favorite main course — it works with practically anything! Here are some of my favorite pairings.
Broccoli salad paired with Apple Turkey Burgers is a great way to satisfy cravings and sneak in feelings of summer.
Broccoli salad also works really well with chicken entrées, particularly Caprese Chicken Quinoa Bake and One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta!
If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!
Want some more delicious side dish recipes? Here are some flavorful options featuring yummy garlic sesame green beans and deliciously fruity cranberry quinoa salad.
- Easy Veggie Fried Cauliflower Rice
- Garlic Sesame Green Beans
- Cranberry Quinoa Salad
- Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Light and Easy Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Pour broccoli into a large mixing bowl.
- Add onion, sunflower seeds, raisins, and chopped turkey bacon.
- In a small bowl, mix together the remainder of the ingredients. This will make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the bowl with the broccoli and other ingredients.
- Stir really well, coating each piece in dressing.
- Let sit in fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Keep in fridge for up to 5 days.
karen says
cant wait to try it
Erin says
Hi Karen, let me know how yours comes out!
Devon Rose says
SO GOOD! I used a little less mayo and definitely forgot raisins but it was still amazing. The vinegar adds such good flavor!
Erin says
Hi Devon, so happy you loved it and made it your own!
Caroline says
The perfect light twist on broccoli salad! I made it a few days early and let the flavors sit and the broccoli soften up. Perfect size for a beach dinner.
Erin says
Hi Caroline, so glad you loved it!! 🙂
Jordan says
Another phenomenal recipe by ELW!! I wanted a lighter side to go with a meat-heavy 4th of July cookout and this was absolutely fantastic. Even my carnivorous husband was a fan. A staple for future summer bbqs for sure.
Erin says
Hi Jordan, so happy you enjoyed it so much! 🙂
JKG says
I used regular pre-cooked bacon. Saved time and some brands have less calories than turkey bacon. Didn’t have sunflower seeds do used sliced almonds. Probably the best light broccoli salad I have tried!
Erin says
Hi, so happy you loved it and made it your own!! 🙂
Laura says
Delicious! Even though it's not required, I blanched my broccoli crowns for the bright green color that I love. Chilling before serving really improves this dish. Yummy! So glad I found your website!
Erin says
Hi Laura, so glad you enjoyed it so much!
Bianca says
This was so delicious and easy to make! With how simple the recipe is, I was skeptical that it would have any flavor- but I was completely wrong. I left out the bacon to keep it vegetarian. I think next time I might add chickpeas.
Erin says
Hi Bianca, so glad you loved it so much and great idea!
Frances says
This was amazing! Perfect side dish for a cookout!
Erin says
Hi Frances, so glad you loved it!!
Jenna says
Delicious and tangy, really easy ingredients I had all on hand; and it feel less sinful than other broccoli salad loaded with cheddar cheese.
Erin says
Hi Jenna, so glad you loved it!!
Maddie says
My dad knows Erin as the "broccoli salad girl" because of this LEGENDARY recipe! We make it every time we make burgers at home 🙂 the perfect side dish!!
Erin says
Hi Maddie, I am so happy he loves it!! Thanks for sharing!
kara luker says
This was SO delicious! My husband raved. And I loved that it was healthier than most broccoli salad recipes, even though I used real bacon 🙂 I will have to try some of your other recipes.
Erin says
Hi Kara, so glad you both loved it and made it your own!!
Anna says
I made this for a family gathering on the weekend and everyone loved it! Plus I got to eat the leftovers the next day.. Yum!
Erin says
Hi Anna, so happy you loved it!
Kelly says
I made this today and OMG! It is even better than the full fat version I remember from my childhood.
I can not wait until the next party I go to. I am definitely making this
Erin says
Hi Kelly, so glad you loved it so much!! 🙂
Marissa Stoffel says
So easy and so good! We swapped raisins for cranberries! Very flavorful!
Erin says
Hi Marissa, so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own!!
Megan says
Such a perfect summer side dish! It is SO good. The flavors come together so nicely. My family loved it! Definitely a hit and making again!
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy everyone loved the broccoli!
Alena T says
I made this for the first time and got nothing but compliments! I shared the recipe too. Will be making for the rest of the summer!
Erin says
Hi Alena, so happy it was a hit!!
Alli says
I’m dairy free so I used all Mayo but it still turned out SO good!
Erin says
Hi Alli, so glad you loved it and thanks for sharing! 🙂
Melissa says
Such a great spin on broccoli salad! Made it for 4th of July cookout and was a big hit with my family! So easy and delish
Erin says
Hi Melissa, so happy everyone loved it! 🙂
Alyssa says
Another light, easy, and most importantly delicious recipe! Made for the perfect summer side dish. Will definitely be making again!
Erin says
Hi Alyssa, so happy you loved it!!
Emily says
This is the absolute best broccoli salad recipe. You would never guess it’s lightened up! The flavors are perfect. Made it for a Memorial Day cookout and immediately made another batch for us to eat for the week the next day! Yum!
Erin says
Hi Emily, so happy you loved the salad so much!!