Why I love this easy broccoli salad recipe
I remember the first time I had broccoli salad. I was hesitant to try it, but more than pleasantly surprised. The bacon and cheddar cheese made a seriously bland vegetable turn into crunchy perfection. And, the creamy dressing and sweet bite of grapes? Amazing.
It had been years since I had even considered making broccoli salad. I wasn’t really sure what to do without the option of cheese, but something about the challenge motivated me.
It took a bit of brainstorming, but I came up with the most ingenious cheese substitute. Are you ready? Unsweetened, toasted coconut shreds. I know it’s different, but hear me out.
The coconut adds a flavor dimension that is incredibly unique. The shreds hold up in the creamy dressing the way cheese would (they even soften a bit), and the toast-iness adds a really umami flavor to the broccoli salad.
How to make broccoli salad with bacon
Make the dressing. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients together. You could also use a mason jar or mix it right in a large measuring cup.
If you’re making this ahead of time, put it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. It’s made with mayo, which means it’s made with eggs, so you want to keep it cold. (See also: are eggs dairy?)
Chop your ingredients. You really only need to chop the broccoli, onion and grapes for this recipe, which makes it relatively easy, as far as salads go.
Mixing it all together. When you’re ready, mix the dressing with the salad. I like to mix mine the morning I’m going to serve the salad, but you can do it just before or a day in advance. Whatever works best for your schedule.
More dairy free broccoli recipes: broccoli cheese soup / oven roasted broccoli / chicken and broccoli / pasta with sausage and broccoli
Frequently asked questions
I recommend using regular mayonnaise. Skip the low-fat versions unless you’re on a really strict diet. If you’re paleo or doing a whole 30, can also use homemade mayonnaise or aioli for this recipe.
If you don’t like coconut (or you’re allergic), you can substitute vegan cheese shreds (or regular cheese if you’re not dairy free), or you can leave it out completely. You’ll still have a great salad.
Yes, definitely! You can get all the prep work done the day before, or even completely make the salad. Just be sure to check the flavor before serving, and season with salt and pepper if needed.
This salad should last for about 4 – 5 days in the fridge. It will lose some of it’s flavor during that time, but it will still be safe to eat. After that I recommend tossing it.
More dairy free salad recipes: Mediterranean chickpea salad / shrimp macaroni salad / summer farro salad / kale caesar salad / chicken cobb salad
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the broccoli salad:
- 8 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1 cup quartered red, seedless grapes
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes
- 1/3 cup diced sweet onion
- 1/4 cup sunflower seed kernels
For the dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise, or vegan mayo for egg free
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon Dijon
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk dressing ingredients together until smooth. Set aside (or refrigerate until ready to use).
- In a large bowl, combine salad ingredients. Toss with dressing until evenly coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Let salad sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. If needed, adjust seasoning with salt & pepper, to taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
I put 2-3 packets of equal in the dressing and makes
What’s the serving size? Curious how many cal per serving and my view doesn’t show the serving size but shows everything else like cal and nutrition info. Delicious recipe!
The serving size would be about a cup.
I’ve made this a few times and it’s delicious! Put it on our menu for next week with bbq chicken. It’s crazy how much the coconut tastes like parmesan when in the salad, and the sweetness from the grapes is great.