Broccoli Salad

May 17, 2013 /

Broccoli Salad is a favorite in our home.  Broccoli was on sale last week, so I decided to try a new recipe and see how it went.  I was happy with the results.  I used to prefer the broccoli salad with shredded cheese in it, but I now like just the combination of fruity and salty with Craisins and sunflower seed kernels.  Most recipes for broccoli salad call for sugar in the dressing, but I liked that this one uses honey; it makes it seem not so bad for you.

The other thing I like about this recipe is that the dressing isn’t over-powered by mayonnaise.  Sometimes the mayo takes center stage, but it shouldn’t.  The blend of flavors in this dish gives each component a role–just as it should.  The original recipe said to serve it immediately, but I think the taste just gets better if you allow it to refrigerate for awhile, giving the dressing time to combine.  Try it both ways, if you like.  And, if you like a dressier broccoli salad, just cut down on the amount of broccoli, or mix up a bit more of the dressing.  You really can’t go wrong.

Broccoli Salad

1 head broccoli {or about 5 broccoli crowns}, stemmed and florets cut into pieces
4 slices cooked bacon, broken into pieces
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/2 cup Craisins
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 T white vinegar
2 T honey
1/4 cup roasted sunflower seed kernels
sea salt and ground pepper to taste

In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, bacon, onion, and Craisins.  In a separate small bowl combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.  Pour dressing mixture over broccoli mixture and gently stir to coat.  Stir in sunflower seed kernels.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

source:  adapted from the Naked Kitchen

13 Comments

  • Kristy Green Hernandez

    May 17, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    I am so glad that you posted this recipe!!! I woke up this morning and my pregnant belly told me that it was craving broccoli salad. Before I searched recipes I went to check my fb and there it was…..Only From Scratch Broccoli Salad. 🙂 Thanks Lauren

  • .

    May 17, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    Sounds yummy! I may change it a bit but I like that it uses honey and not sugar!!! Off to make it for dinner tomorrow! Yum!

    • .

      May 18, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      🙂 Well, we ran out of cranberries, didn’t have the right onions and we always add cheddar cheese. LOL And we don’t use typical mayo because of the oils… LOL But I followed your recipe! 🙂 Yum!

    • .

      May 18, 2013 at 3:51 pm

      I didn’t have dried cranberries or the red onions…. or the sunflowers. LOL So I just did the typical broccoli, onions, cheese and bacon. We use safflower oil mayo so I did that with…lol….didn’t have white vinegar either…..apple cider vinegar, local raw honey and the safflower mayo. Pretty tasty! Thanks!!!

  • Aimee

    May 17, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    feel like I make broccoli salad a lot in the summer, for cookouts and parties. I’m going to try this recipe next time!

  • sherri lynn

    May 23, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    I have only had that traditional broccoli salad and I always love that. This recipe with the honey sounds good to cut out some of the extra sugar. I don’t know if I could do without the cheddar cheese hah but I like the idea of the craisins and sunflower seed kernels. All of your recipes always make me want to come to your house for dinner!