Zesty No-Mayo Creamy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Summer gatherings call for a vibrant broccoli salad that breaks all the traditional mayo-laden rules.

This creamy broccoli salad without mayo delivers a refreshing twist on a classic favorite.

Crisp broccoli florets mingle with crunchy nuts and tangy dried cranberries, creating a symphony of textures and flavors.

A luscious, dairy-based dressing coats each ingredient without weighing down the dish.

Protein-packed and bursting with nutrients, this salad stands out at potlucks and picnics.

The clean, bright taste will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to keep this recipe in your summer entertaining arsenal.

Simple Prep for No-Mayo Broccoli Salad

• Veggie Gathering

Chop fresh broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces and slice crisp carrots. Thinly cut red onion for a zesty crunch. Roughly chop sweet dates and nutty pistachios for surprising flavor bursts.

• Creamy Magical Sauce

Whisk tangy Greek yogurt with golden honey, smooth olive oil, and a splash of water. Sprinkle sea salt to enhance the overall taste profile. The sauce should look silky and inviting.

• Playful Mixing

Gently fold the creamy sauce into the colorful vegetable mix. Ensure every piece gets coated with the delightful dressing, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

• Chill and Delight

Cover the salad and let it rest in the refrigerator. The cool environment allows flavors to mingle and develop, making each bite more delicious than the last. Serve cold for maximum enjoyment.

Tweak It: Flavor Up Broccoli Salad (No Mayo!)

• Replace pistachios with sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or toasted pumpkin seeds for different texture and flavor profiles.
• Mix in grilled chicken chunks, crumbled feta cheese, or diced hard-boiled eggs to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like parsley, dill, or basil just before serving to add bright, fresh notes that complement the creamy yogurt dressing.
• Prepare the salad up to 24 hours in advance, keeping the dressing and vegetables separate until 30 minutes before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent sogginess.

How to Serve This Creamy Broccoli Mix

• Picnic Perfect Delight: Pack this broccoli salad in cute mason jars for a portable and eye-catching summer lunch that will impress friends at outdoor gatherings.
• Fresh Flavor Booster: Sprinkle some extra toasted pistachios or a handful of sunflower seeds on top just before serving to add a delightful crunch and extra nutty dimension.
• Protein Power Plate: Pair this creamy broccoli salad with grilled chicken, quinoa, or hard-boiled eggs to transform it into a complete and nutritious meal that keeps you satisfied for hours.
• Side Dish Sensation: Serve alongside Mediterranean-inspired grilled fish or as a refreshing accompaniment to roasted lamb for a vibrant and healthy dinner complement that elevates your main course.

Meal Prep & Chill Plan for Broccoli Salad

• Fridge-Friendly Freshness: Store this broccoli salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the crisp textures and bright flavors intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad components separately and combine just before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Smart Ingredient Tip: Chop broccoli and veggies in advance and keep refrigerated in separate containers for quick assembly during busy weekdays.
• Temperature Wisdom: Always serve chilled for the best taste experience, allowing the yogurt dressing to meld beautifully with the fresh vegetables and nutty pistachios.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Total Time:

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 7

Everything That Goes Into Mayo-Free Broccoli Salad

• Broccoli Florets: Crunchy green powerhouse packed with nutrients and adds vibrant texture to the salad.
• Carrots: Sweet, crisp vegetable that provides natural sweetness and beautiful orange color.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zesty ingredient that brings a mild bite and aromatic flavor to the dish.

• Pistachios: Rich, buttery nuts that contribute delightful crunch and earthy protein boost.
• Dates: Naturally sweet dried fruit offering chewy texture and caramel-like undertones.

• Greek Yogurt: Tangy, protein-rich base creating smooth and silky sauce without traditional mayonnaise.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances yogurt's tanginess and adds gentle golden warmth.
• Olive Oil: Silky liquid that helps blend ingredients and provides heart-healthy richness.
• Water: Helps adjust dressing consistency and ensures smooth mixing.
• Sea Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that elevates and harmonizes all ingredients.

Tools for Making Creamy Broccoli Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all the fresh ingredients and tossing them together smoothly.
• Cutting board: Essential for chopping broccoli florets, carrots, and red onion with precision.
• Chef's knife: Sharp and reliable tool for slicing vegetables and chopping nuts quickly.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure honey, olive oil, and sea salt for the creamy dressing.
• Whisk or fork: Great for blending Greek yogurt, honey, olive oil, and water into a silky dressing.
• Serving spoon: Ideal for mixing and transferring the broccoli salad to a serving dish.

Crunchy Broccoli Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 31 reviews

• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy broccoli salad offers a delightful twist on classic summer sides without traditional mayonnaise. Greek yogurt and tangy dressing create remarkable flavor combinations for health-conscious guests you’ll surely impress.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) broccoli florets – small bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup (140 g) carrots – shredded
• ½ cup (80 g) red onion – diced
• ½ cup (60 g) pistachios – loosely chopped
• 5 large dates – pitted and diced
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp (21 g) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
• ¼ tsp (1 g) sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Chop broccoli into uniform florets, dice carrots and red onion into delicate slivers, roughly chop pistachios, and slice dates into small morsels.
2. Combine Components: Gently mix prepared vegetables, nuts, and dried fruit in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Create Dressing: Whisk Greek yogurt with golden honey, smoothly incorporating olive oil and water until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Season Dressing: Add a pinch of sea salt to elevate and harmonize the flavor profile of the creamy base.
5. Dress and Blend: Drizzle the yogurt mixture over the vegetable medley, carefully folding to ensure each ingredient is luxuriously coated.
6. Chill and Marinate: Refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to intermingle and ingredients to become thoroughly chilled before serving.

Notes

• Prep Precision: Uniformly chop ingredients to ensure balanced texture and consistent flavor in every bite.
• Dressing Dynamics: Whisk yogurt, honey, and olive oil thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy base that clings perfectly to vegetables.
• Flavor Fusion: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more integrated taste.
• Nut and Sweet Balance: Roughly chop pistachios and dates to distribute their distinctive crunch and caramel-like sweetness throughout the salad.

• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg