Cruciferous vegetables
broccoli salad with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries
By:
Published:
05 Mar 2025
This broccoli salad isn't your grandma's limp, sad, overcooked broccoli. Nope! This is a vibrant, crunchy, flavor explosion that's going to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about broccoli. I made this recipe after a frustrating day at work; I swear, it was magic. The recipe itself is super simple, but the taste? Heavenly!
The secret weapon? The dressing. It’s a delightful blend of tangy lemon juice, sweet maple syrup, and a little bit of Dijon mustard. Then, I add olive oil to create the perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and richness. The flavors really sing together. I discovered this recipe after a friend gave me some family leftovers. It was so incredibly good, that I had to have the recipe. It's very simple, but tastes incredible. It's truly the key to unlocking this salad’s full potential.
Required Equipments
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large skillet or frying pan
Broccoli Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cranberries: Frequently Asked Questions
Broccoli Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cranberries
This vibrant broccoli salad is a delicious and healthy side dish, packed with crunchy sunflower seeds and sweet dried cranberries. The homemade dressing perfectly complements the fresh broccoli and adds a delightful touch of flavor.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 2 servings
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- First, let’s prep our broccoli. Wash it thoroughly and cut into bite-sized florets. Seriously, bite-sized. You dont want any broccoli behemoths lurking in there.
- Next, grab your large bowl. In it, gently toss the broccoli florets with the sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and red onion. Don't be afraid to give it a good mix! It all needs to get to know each other.
- Now, let's whip up that amazing dressing! In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk until it's all emulsified and looks like a happy, creamy little cloud. I sometimes add a tiny pinch of garlic powder just because, and it really gets the flavor party going.
- Now comes the fun part--dressing the salad! Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss everything until it’s evenly coated. You should see that dressing clinging happily to every floret. If it looks like some broccoli's trying to hide, give it another gentle toss.
- Taste it! Make sure the flavors are right for your pallet. This salad is amazing and ready to be enjoyed immediately! But if you have time, allow the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to totally blend and make friends.
- Serve it up! Arrange the salad in a pretty bowl, and if you're feeling fancy, sprinkle a few extra cranberries and sunflower seeds on top for extra visual appeal. Seriously, these little touches make all the difference. It's like adding the perfect jewelry to your outfit!
📝 Notes
- For a richer flavor, toast the sunflower seeds in a dry skillet before adding them to the salad.
- If you don't have maple syrup, you can substitute honey or agave nectar.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to the salad, such as chopped pecans, raisins, or crumbled bacon.
- Add a pinch of garlic powder to the dressing for extra zing!
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 250 kcal
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 15 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 5 g
Calcium: 30 mg
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