Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette

One of my all time favorite salads is broccoli salad. I love how when paired with dried cranberries and onions, it makes a delicious dish. What I don't like about most broccoli salads is when it is mixed with a heavy mayo based dressing. Because of this, I was determined to come up with that same great flavor but paired with a delicious light and sweet vinaigrette. Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette is just that. It brings out more flavor you love while maintaining the integrity of the broccoli salad. Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette is sure to be a new favorite.

Quick and Easy

This meal is beyond quick and easy. All ingredients are easily chopped and tossed in a bowl. The vinaigrette uses simple ingredients and once mixed together, you simply pour and mix over the top of your broccoli salad.

An added bonus, this broccoli salad is healthier than most mayo based broccoli salads. But, in my opinion, more delicious.

How to make Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette

Making this Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette will take you all of 15 minutes to throw together. That right there, is a win in my book.

Your first step is to take a a head of broccoli and chop it into bite size pieces. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to cut up the broccoli stem or not. You should have roughly 3 cups of chopped broccoli. If your head is small, you may need more than one.

Place your chopped broccoli pieces into a medium size serving bowl.

Next chop a small red onion, or half of a medium onion into bite size pieces. About 1/3 cup. Dump this into your medium serving bowl as well.

Next add your bacon bits, dried cranberries, and slivered almonds to the bowl. Toss altogether to make sure they are all evenly mixed.

Sweet Vinaigrette

I love this simple vinaigrette. It is so delicious, and made from ingredients that are easily on hand.

Simply put olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth.

Don't be thrown off with the idea of putting mustard in your vinaigrette. It pairs perfectly with the vinegar and sweet flavor of honey. You won't notice an over powering flavor of mustard at all!

Tips and Tricks

You can substitute slivered almonds for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.

Wait until serving to pour dressing over the salad. This will help keep the vegetables fresh.

On the contrary, some like when the dressing marinates with the broccoli salad before serving. Try adding the dressing 30 minutes before serving to get this effect.

I love using bacon bits. As delicious as fresh chopped up bacon is, there is a certain ease to having a bag of bacon bits in the refrigerator. It's one less step and makes things a little faster. Feel free to make your own bacon though if preferred.

Storing Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette

This salad stores well for 1-2 days after making. Like stated before, if not serving right away, you can wait to put the vinaigrette on to help keep the broccoli salad fresh.

If the vinaigrette is already on, the salad will still be delicious stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

More Delicious Sides and Salads

If you loved this delicious salad, be sure to check out these recipes!

Cilantro Lime Guacamole

Caprese Pasta Salad

Berry Salad with Candied Cinnamon Almonds

Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette

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★★★★★

4.8 from 4 reviews

• Author: Andrea
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Broccoli Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette is a wonderful salad with the delicious flavor of broccoli, nuts, cranberries, and bacon in a light and sweet honey apple vinaigrette.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Broccoli Salad

• 3 cups broccoli, chopped (about 1 head of broccoli)
• 1 small red onion, chopped, 1/3 cup
• 1/4 cup bacon bits
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds

Light and Sweet Honey Apple Dressing

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 teaspoons honey

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Instructions

1. Chop 1 broccoli head into bite sized pieces. About 3 cups. If using a smaller head, use additional broccoli. Place broccoli pieces into a medium serving bowl
2. Chop 1 small red onion, about 1/3 cup. Place chopped red onion with the broccoli.
3. Place dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and bacon bits in the medium sized mixing bowl and toss until well mixed.
4. Before serving pour light and sweet honey apple vinaigrette and mix well.

Light and Sweet Honey Apple

1. In a small bowl pour olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard and honey.
2. Whisk together until smooth.

Notes

1. You can substitute sliced almonds for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
2. Wait until serving to pour dressing over the salad to help keep the vegetables fresh.
3. I love using bacon bits. It's one less step and makes things a little faster. Feel free to make your own bacon though if preferred.
4. This salad stores well for 1-2 days after making.
5. If not serving right away you can wait to put the vinaigrette on to help keep the broccoli salad fresh.
6. If the vinaigrette is already on, the salad will still be delicious stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
7. Don't be discourage by the mustard in the vinaigrette. It pairs perfectly with the vinegar and honey and doesn't have a powerful mustard flavor.

• Prep Time: 15
• Category: Side
• Method: No-Bake
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: broccoli salad, broccoli slaw, vinaigrette, light, quick and easy, bacon, red onion, broccoli, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, light broccoli salad, healthy broccoli salad, healthy