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Broccoli Salad Without Bacon (or Mayo)

5 from 3 votes
Large plate of broccoli salad without bacon topped with dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.
Broccoli salad without bacon is a crisp, fresh, and subtly sweet vegetable salad with a tangy dressing. Not only is this an easy side dish, but it utilizes the whole vegetable, including the stems.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Serving Size 6

Ingredients
 

Salad

  • 1 ¼ pounds broccoli florets and stems, chopped about 6 cups
  • cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • 2-3 tablespoons finely diced shallot depending on preference

Honey Mustard Vinagrette

Instructions

  • Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Remove the tough ends at the bottom of the stems and the leaves, then use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer woody layer of the stems before cutting them into small pieces.
  • Make an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside. 
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add in the broccoli florets and stems. Boil for 2 minutes and then remove from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to your ice-cold water bath carefully. This helps stop the broccoli from continuing to cook and helps retain its color and texture.
  • After 2-3 minutes, drain the broccoli as thoroughly as possible, then add it to a large bowl with the dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and diced shallot.
  • Add all the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together until combined. Taste and add more salt as needed. Pour the dressing over your salad and mix thoroughly.
  • Store covered in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

See the blog post for helpful tips.

Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

No shallots? - you can also use thinly sliced red onion, sweet onion, red onion, or even green onions.
No sunflower seeds? - you can use just about any other nut or seed, alone or in combination with another. If using whole nuts, roughly chop them first.
No dried cranberries? - use raisins, dried cherries, currants, or dried blueberries.
No white wine vinegar? - you can also use champagne vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even lemon juice.
No raw honey? - use maple syrup instead.
Add-ins - crispy bacon bits or crispy prosciutto.
Variations - use a different dressing such as spicy honey mustard or poppy seed dressing.