Description
This Broccoli Crunch Salad features fresh broccoli, dried cranberries, tangy cheese, and toasted almonds tossed in a zesty lemon and white wine vinegar dressing. It is a vibrant and crunchy side dish perfect for a healthy meal or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1 lb broccoli (chopped into bite size pieces)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup Manchego cheese (diced, or substitute with sharp cheddar or feta)
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, mayonnaise, minced shallots, Dijon mustard, and honey. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, dried cranberries, diced Manchego cheese, and toasted almonds.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat. For best flavor, allow the salad to sit for a few minutes so the flavors meld together before serving, though this step is optional.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best bright flavor in the dressing.
- You can substitute Manchego cheese with sharp cheddar, feta, or another firm cheese of your choice.
- Toasted almonds add great crunch but you can use other nuts like walnuts or pecans if preferred.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for a few hours if needed.
- Letting the salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving helps meld the flavors nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 79 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg
