Best 7 Broccoli Salad Cooking Light Recipes

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In the realm of healthy cooking, broccoli salad stands as a beacon of vitality and flavor. This versatile dish combines the crispness of broccoli with a symphony of other wholesome ingredients, such as raisins, nuts, and a tangy dressing. Whether you're planning a potluck, a barbecue, or simply seeking a refreshing and nutritious meal, a broccoli salad can transform your culinary experience.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

LIGHTENED-UP CREAMY BROCCOLI SALAD



Lightened-Up Creamy Broccoli Salad image

Healthy eating is about moderation! Two strips of bacon are all you need for a little indulgence that goes a long way flavor-wise. Buy the best quality bacon you can, nitrate-free if possible--it'll have tons of flavor and really punch up this healthy take on a classic side dish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 strips low-sodium bacon
1/2 cup ice cubes
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 1/2 cups broccoli florets (about 1 pound), cut into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons salted roasted sunflower seeds

Steps:

  • Combine the ice cubes, onions and 1 cup water in a small bowl. Let the onions soak for 10 minutes while preparing the rest of the salad, then drain and pat dry.
  • Cook the bacon in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings for the dressing. Finely chop the bacon strips and reserve.
  • Whisk the buttermilk, sour cream, lemon zest and juice, reserved bacon drippings, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Add the broccoli, onions and golden raisins to the dressing. Toss well, cover and chill for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
  • Before serving, toss well and season with additional salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and top with the chopped bacon and sunflower seeds.

CRUNCHY BROCCOLI SALAD



Crunchy Broccoli Salad image

Growing up, I never liked broccoli, but I'm hooked on this salad's light, sweet taste. It gives broccoli a whole new look and personality. -Jessica Conrey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 pound)
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup sunflower kernels
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine broccoli, green onions and cranberries. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar and sugar until blended; drizzle over broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with sunflower kernels and bacon before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 121 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 233mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

EASY BROCCOLI SALAD



Easy Broccoli Salad image

After sampling this broccoli salad at a barbecue, the recipe was given to me without any measurements. I can toss to together, and it turns out great everytime. -Sara Sherlock, Pork Alice, British Columbia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 15m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1-1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine broccoli, cheese, bacon and onion. In another bowl, whisk mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Pour over broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 35g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 585mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 15g protein.

BROCCOLI SALAD (LITE)



Broccoli Salad (Lite) image

This recipe, slightly adapted from Cooking Light, is full of fresh flavor. The mix of broccoli with celery, raisins, grapes, and sunflower seeds adds color and texture. Quick to prepare, it keeps well and can definitely be made ahead. Hope you enjoy it!

Provided by quikgourmet

Categories     Vegetable

Time 15m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups small broccoli florets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/2 cups seedless grapes, halved
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seed kernels
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Cut broccoli florets into small bite-sized pieces. Combine with grapes, celery, raisins, and sunflower seed kernels.
  • Mix mayonnaise with remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk.
  • Pour dressing over the broccoli mix, and toss well. Chill for 1 hour minimum.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190.1, Fat 4.8, SaturatedFat 0.8, Cholesterol 4.9, Sodium 143.7, Carbohydrate 37.6, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 28.4, Protein 3.2

BROCCOLI SALAD (COOKING LIGHT)



Broccoli Salad (Cooking Light) image

This rivals any of the fuller fat versions I've ever had. If you really need bacon in your broccoli salad then just use turkey bacon, but I honestly think it's delicious without.

Provided by Brookelynne26

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 1h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups small broccoli florets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup salted sunflower seeds
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Steps:

  • Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Pour dressing over broccoli mixture, and toss well. Chill for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160.8, Fat 5.8, SaturatedFat 0.8, Cholesterol 3.6, Sodium 102.8, Carbohydrate 27, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 19.8, Protein 3.3

COLORFUL BROCCOLI SALAD



Colorful Broccoli Salad image

If you like broccoli and bacon, this is something you have to try. My family loves this recipe. They make it whenever there are going to be guests. It tastes great and happens to be rather colorful.

Provided by 1940's girl

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Broccoli Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
½ pound bacon, cut into 1-inch square pieces
1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
1 red onion, chopped
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar together in a bowl.
  • Place bacon in a large skillet; cook and stir over medium-high heat until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels.
  • Mix broccoli, bacon, onion, and Cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Pour dressing over broccoli mixture; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.6 calories, Carbohydrate 14.4 g, Cholesterol 44.7 mg, Fat 27.5 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 12.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 549 mg, Sugar 10.3 g

ITALIAN BROCCOLI SALAD



Italian Broccoli Salad image

This adaptable make-ahead salad is a great instant lunch or side dish. It starts with raw broccoli florets and stems, thinly sliced into irregular shapes to create many textures. As the broccoli sits with salt and vinegar, it softens and becomes slaw. Its mellow flavor is contrasted by the loud ingredients typically found in an Italian sub or chopped salad, like shallots, pickled peppers, olives and provolone. Feel free to add more protein in the form of cured meats, chickpeas, lentils or mozzarella; vegetables like sweet tomatoes or iceberg lettuce; or basil.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, easy, lunch, salads and dressings, vegetables, main course, side dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 small shallot, thinly sliced
1 1/2 pounds broccoli (about 2 medium heads)
Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
1/2 cup roasted, salted almonds, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup drained, sliced pickled peppers, such as peperoncini
1/4 cup pitted, torn olives, such as kalamata or Castelvetrano
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1/3 cup red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
3 slices provolone (about 3 ounces), torn or cut into bite-size pieces (or use 1 1/2 ounces aged provolone)

Steps:

  • Rinse the sliced shallot under cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
  • Cut the stalks away from the broccoli heads. Using a knife or vegetable peeler, remove the fibrous outer layer of the stalks so its light green insides emerge; compost or discard the outer layer. Thinly slice the stalks crosswise, then thinly slice the heads into bite-size pieces. (A mix of shapes and sizes adds texture to the salad, so chop up the broccoli a few ways; there's no one right way to go about it.) Transfer to the large bowl as you go, then transfer any loose bits from the cutting board to the bowl.
  • Season the broccoli generously with salt and pepper, then add the almonds, pickled peppers, olives, oil, vinegar and provolone. Toss vigorously with a spoon until everything is combined and the broccoli is shiny with oil.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, oil and vinegar as needed. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving. The salad improves with age as its flavors meld, and it can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Before serving, bring to room temperature and adjust salt, pepper, oil and vinegar to taste, as flavors change in the fridge.

Tips:

  • Choose fresh and crisp broccoli: The key to a delicious broccoli salad is using fresh, crisp broccoli. Look for broccoli crowns that are deep green in color and have tightly closed florets.
  • Cut the broccoli into small florets: This will help the broccoli cook evenly and absorb the dressing better.
  • Blanch the broccoli: Blanching the broccoli helps to preserve its color and crunch. To blanch the broccoli, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Drain the broccoli immediately and rinse with cold water.
  • Use a variety of ingredients: Broccoli salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Some popular ingredients to add to broccoli salad include bacon, cheese, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
  • Make the dressing ahead of time: The dressing for broccoli salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. This makes it easy to assemble the salad at the last minute.

Conclusion:

Broccoli salad is a healthy and refreshing side dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. It is also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a broccoli salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious side dish, give broccoli salad a try!

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