This Broccoli Salad is a healthy and delicious way to get your greens, dairy, and fruit. It is a great salad to bring to any picnic or party you may be going to for the long weekend.
Despite all the sugar and treats you see here and on my Instagram, we really do eat fairly healthy.
This Veggie Salad is a staple in our fridge during the summer months. Actually we eat this salad pretty much year round. Our kids love it with pasta added to it, and we usually top spinach or lettuce with the veggies.
A couple months ago we had a picnic with our family and my mother in law brought Broccoli Salad. It had been years since I had eaten this salad, and I forgot how much I loved it. I may have had seconds on salad instead of dessert. Can you believe that?
Anyway, I came home and wanted to make a big bowl of this for our fridge, but I did not have the recipe. So, I tried to recreate it based on what I remembered from the picnic.
I did add apples to the salad because I had those in my fridge, and I like how they added a crunch and sweetness to the broccoli.
I do not like overly creamy dressings when it comes to broccoli salad. If I’m eating veggies, I want the dressing to compliment it, not hide it. Mix together half greek yogurt and mayo to cut down on the fat in the dressing. A little bit of sugar and apple cider vinegar thins it out and gives it that tang that is so good with the veggies and fruit.
Bacon and sunflower seeds add a bit of crunch and salt to the salad.
I love how easy this salad is to mix up. Plus, if you don’t like something, leave it out or substitute something else. Well, except the broccoli. It is a broccoli salad, so you kind of have to leave it!
Just think…if you eat a big bowl of this salad at dinner, then you are totally justified to eat at least two desserts later. Right?
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Broccoli, cheese, bacon, raisins, and apples with a light dressing is a delicious and healthy option to bring for picnics and parties.
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped fresh broccoli
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 cups diced apples
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine the broccoli, cheese, raisins, sunflower seeds, and bacon in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the yogurt, mayo, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Pour over the ingredients in the bowl and stir well.
- Season to taste with the salt and pepper. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving to allow the dressing to meld with the ingredients. Makes about 14 cups of salad. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container.
Notes
*This is an easy recipe to cut in half if you do not need a big bowl of salad.
A few more salads that are great for picnics and parties:
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love broccoli salad & would inhale this! All those veggies, textures, the vinegar dressing, yes please! pinned of course!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
It’s so easy to eat a lot of this salad!! So fresh and delicious! Thank you so much for the pin!
Medha+@+Whisk+&+Shout says
This looks amazing! Broccoli is a criminally underrated veggie… my favorite 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you and I totally agree!!!
Heather+@+Shards+of+Lavender says
My whole family just loves fresh broccoli! I love how you cut the fat by using Greek yogurt; I’m not a huge fan of overly creamy dressing on veggies either. I’d rather save my calories for something else:)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I’m with you on not liking heavy overly creamy dressings. This one just has a touch of dressing so the salad really shines through.
Elizabeth+@+Confessions+of+a+Baking+Queen says
My mom would be all over this, I love apples in a broccoli salad! This one looks perfect 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you!!!
Kelly+-+Life+Made+Sweeter says
I love this broccoli salad! I’m like you and not a fan of overly creamy when it comes to certain salads so this dressing sounds perfect! Love the added crunch from the apples in here too 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker says
The apples did add just the right extra crunch!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love the looks of this broccoli salad, Jocelyn! The yogurt dressing sounds so light and refreshing, love it! What a perfect addition to my salad routines! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
I hope you enjoy it!! Thank you so much for the pin love 🙂
Joan says
Our local grocery stores sells a version of this. It is delicious, and very expensive. Now I can make our own.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Yay for making it at home and not spending extra money!!! I hope you like it!
Michele+@+Alwayzbakin says
That sounds amazing! I love broccoli salad. I’ve never tried it with apples and sunflower seeds. Can’t wait!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Michele! The apples and sunflower seeds add a fun crunch and flavor!!!
Chelsea+@chelseasmessyapron says
I love broccoli salads! The addition of the apple is a great idea – I love a good crunchy salad! Pinned 🙂 I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thank you so much Chelsea!!!!
Chels+R. says
I LOVE broccoli salad!
Ginny says
I use water chestnuts, raisins, cashews, chopped ham, chopped celery, red onion also in mine! I also make my dressing with miracle Whip, white vinegar, sugar, and water. Delicious!
Justine @prettyinpistachio says
Yum looks delicious! This is the perfect lunch recipe and it’s easily transportable!