This healthy broccoli salad is made with crisp broccoli, dried cranberries, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, red onion, and bacon tossed in a lighter Greek yogurt dressing. It has the same creamy, crunchy texture as classic broccoli salad, but with less mayonnaise.
It works well for potlucks, cookouts, meal prep, or an easy side dish with grilled chicken, sandwiches, or burgers.
What Makes This Broccoli Salad Lighter
The dressing uses a mix of plain Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, so it still tastes creamy without relying entirely on mayo. A little honey, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard balance the dressing with sweetness, tang, and depth.
Dried cranberries add sweetness and chewiness, while almonds and sunflower seeds give the salad extra crunch.
What’s in the Dressing
- Greek yogurt – adds tang and lightens the dressing
- Mayonnaise – gives the dressing classic broccoli salad flavor and body
- Apple cider vinegar – adds acidity and balance
- Honey – adds a little sweetness
- Dijon mustard – adds depth and helps balance the dressing
- Salt and pepper – bring the flavors together
How to Take the Raw Edge Off Broccoli
If you prefer broccoli with a milder flavor, blanch it before making the salad. Boil the florets for about 30–60 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking. This keeps the broccoli bright green while softening the raw taste.
If you like raw broccoli, you can skip this step and use the florets as-is.
Make-Ahead Tip:
This salad tastes best after it chills for at least 1 hour. For even better flavor, make it several hours ahead and stir before serving. You can make it the night before, but give it a good stir before serving.
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Healthy Broccoli Salad
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A lighter broccoli salad made with crisp broccoli, dried cranberries, almonds, sunflower seeds, bacon, red onion, and a creamy Greek yogurt dressing.
Ingredients
FOR THE DRESSING:
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- â…“ cup mayonaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ÂĽ teaspoon sea salt
- ÂĽ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
FOR THE SALAD:
- 4 cups small broccoli floretsÂ
- ÂĽ cup finely chopped red onion
- â…“ cup slivered almonds
- â…“ cup dried cranberries
- ÂĽ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
- 3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Instructions
- Place the chopped red onion in a small bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, then drain.
- While the onion soaks, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, almonds, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon.
- Drain the onion and add it to the salad. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir before serving. For stronger flavor, chill several hours or overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Chill Time: 1 hr
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
MORE SUMMER SALAD RECIPES:
For more easy summer sides, try these salads next:
Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest and if you’ve had a chance to make this delicious salad, then definitely leave me a comment and a rating below!
One of my favorite salads! This is really good.
Our family loves this broccoli salad, especially straight from the fridge when it’s ice cold.
I’ve made this twice now in 2 weeks. Thank you!
This is probably my favorite salad on the planet. I love the dressing in this. The yogurt adds such a nice sweetness and it cuts back on that heavy mayo feeling.
I LOVE this salad, it’s my favourite by far. The only thing I don’t do is add red onion as I’m not a fan, love adding some walnuts for the crunch. Absolutely beautiful and I feel like as it’s so tasty I’m eating tonnes of calories but not at all! Thank you
I agree with you Jess. This is one of my favorite salads. I’m not a fan of red onion either, but once I submerge it into some ice water for a minute or two it’s not bad and I actually like it.
I’m thinking about trying this BUT without the mayo and using Creme Fraiche instead along with the greek yogurt. I personally don’t think it needs a sweetener if you use dried cranberries that are already soaked in apple juice as well as adding some dried blueberries. I’m vegetarian so I’d have to leave out the bacon. How about adding some diced roasted sweet potato? Gees, I’m coming up with the substitutes and making a completely different version! Yikes!!!
Hi Deb am really in love with Whole Foods broccoli salad with their rotisserie organic chicken, been so busy never really try to make the salad ,since Whole Foods is on my way home
is this plain greek yogurt or vanilla? I can only find the vanilla flavor from stony field at my local grocer. Thanks!
Hi Deb … I like ur name 🙂 I used plain but I don’t think a little vanilla will hurt it at all