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Fresh Sweet and Tangy Broccoli Salad Recipe with Cranberries Perfect for Summer

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A fresh, sweet, and tangy broccoli salad featuring crunchy broccoli, tart cranberries, and a creamy dressing with a hint of honey and apple cider vinegar. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (about 300g), chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (about 75g)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (about 40g)
  • 1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds (about 45g)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120ml)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (15ml)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (15ml)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets under cold water. Use a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean towel. Chop into small, uniform bite-sized pieces. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Finely dice 1/4 cup of red onion. For a milder flavor, soak diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well. (5 minutes)
  3. Toast 1/3 cup of sunflower seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste. (About 5 minutes)
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped broccoli, diced onion, dried cranberries, and toasted sunflower seeds. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly until evenly coated. (3-4 minutes)
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to soften slightly. Can be served immediately if needed.

Notes

For a softer broccoli texture, blanch broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into ice water and drain well before tossing with dressing. Soaking onions in cold water reduces sharpness. Toasting sunflower seeds adds extra flavor and crunch. Salad benefits from chilling for an hour or more. Substitute mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing or vegan mayo for dairy-free. Fresh berries can be swapped seasonally for cranberries. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 days; avoid freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, sweet and tangy salad, summer salad, cranberry salad, easy side dish, healthy salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/fresh-sweet-and-tangy-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-cranberries-perfect-for-summer/