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🥦 My Favorite Broccoli Salad (Crunchy, Creamy, and Low-Carb Optional!)
Let me introduce you to the salad I could eat every single day — my Favorite Broccoli Salad! It’s crunchy, creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet with that irresistible blend of cheddar, bacon, red onion, and roasted sunflower seeds. It’s the kind of salad that steals the spotlight at any potluck, yet it’s so easy to make, it’s become a go-to in my weekly meal prep. 🌈✨
This salad is a perfect balance of texture, flavor, and nutrition, and the best part? No cooking required! The raw broccoli softens beautifully after marinating overnight in the rich and tangy dressing, turning into a refreshing and deeply satisfying dish.
✅ Why You’ll Love This Salad:
- No cooking required – just mix, marinate, and enjoy!
- Meal prep friendly – gets better the next day
- Customizable for low-carb, keto, or WW plans
- Perfect as a side dish or a full meal
- A total crowd-pleaser at BBQs, holidays, and gatherings
🥗 Ingredients:
🥦 Salad Base:
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets (chopped small for better texture)
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed (or shredded if you prefer)
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- Crumbled cooked bacon (about 4 slices or 1/3 cup)
- 2 tbsp roasted sunflower seeds (salted or unsalted)
🥕 Optional Add-Ins:
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot (adds color and crunch — still low-carb!)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (a touch of sweetness, can be reduced or omitted for keto)
🥣 Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use avocado oil mayo for cleaner ingredients)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream for extra creaminess)
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp sweetener of choice (Stevia, Monk Fruit, or honey if not low-carb)
- 1 tsp celery seed
- Salt & pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, cheddar, red cabbage, bacon, and sunflower seeds. Add carrot and cranberries if using.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt or sour cream, vinegar, sweetener, celery seed, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours). This is KEY — the broccoli softens and absorbs all the flavors beautifully.
- Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
🌟 Description & Taste
This salad is crisp and colorful, with a tangy-creamy dressing that clings to every bite. The red onion adds sharpness, cheddar gives richness, the bacon adds smoky crunch, and the sunflower seeds bring nutty depth. Cranberries (if added) give that pop of sweet that balances the savory so well.
After marinating overnight, the raw broccoli turns tender but still crisp, making every bite vibrant and satisfying. Trust me, it’s a salad people actually get excited about! 🙌
🥄 Pro Tips:
- Chop broccoli small — it helps absorb dressing and softens more evenly.
- For extra crunch, reserve sunflower seeds and bacon to sprinkle just before serving.
- Add grilled chicken or tuna for a protein-packed meal.
- Swap cheddar for feta, gouda, or pepper jack to change the vibe!
- Use sugar-free dried cranberries for a truly low-carb version.
🥦 Nutrition Info (per generous 1-cup serving, without cranberries):
- Calories: ~200
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: ~4g
Macros may vary depending on your ingredients.
💬 Why I Keep Coming Back to This Salad…
I don’t cook my broccoli — letting it marinate overnight is the secret. The flavors come alive and the texture becomes perfect: not too raw, not too soft. Every time I make this, it disappears. It’s that good. 😁
Whether you’re eating low-carb, gluten-free, or just want a colorful salad that doesn’t feel like a chore, this recipe is it. Add it to your favorites — it’s a keeper! 🧡
💌 If You Love It, Save It & Share It!
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Let’s keep these easy, wholesome, flavor-packed recipes coming — because healthy eating should never be boring! 🌿✨