Satisfying and Healthy Sweet Broccoli Salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories:
The Satisfying and Healthy Sweet Broccoli Salad is a true delight for the taste buds, offering a perfect blend of flavors and textures that make each bite an experience to savor. The crisp, fresh broccoli provides a satisfying crunch, while the sweet cranberries add a delightful burst of tanginess.
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Equipment
- Cutting board and chef knife
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets 1 lb this was about 2 ½ heads of broccoli for me (450g)
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries 85g
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds 60g optional
- ⅓ cup red onion diced into small pieces 50g
- ¼ cup Vegan Bacon purchased or make your own
Dressing
- ¾ cup plant-based plain yogurt 200g
- 1½ Tablespoon white wine vinegar (or apple cider) 15g
- 3 Tablespoons agave (or maple syrup) 75g
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Mushroom bacon
- Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth and slice them thinly.
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the bowl and toss them in the marinade until they are well coated. Let them marinate for about 10-15 minutes for up to 6 hours.
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange on baking sheet, spreading the marinated mushrooms in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the mushrooms halfway through, until they are crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end to avoid burning.
- Allow the mushroom bacon to cool slightly on the baking sheet.
- It will become crispier as it cools.
- Use it immediately or store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Make the Salad
- Combine broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and onion in a large bowl.
- In a separate, small bowl, whisk together plant-based yogurt, vinegar, agave, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined. You will add the vegan bacon just prior to serving.
- Pour dressing over broccoli combination and toss or stir well.
- Let sit for 1 hour before serving.
- If using vegan bacon, add it right before serving.
Notes
Broccoli salad may be served immediately, but for best flavor refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Make sure to toss broccoli salad thoroughly again before serving.
I rarely use processed foods but this is one time I occasionally make an exception by tossing on some purchased vegan bacon. A little goes along way. While you can try to make your own and there are plenty of good recipes out there, I just feel it's not worth the effort. Check out this article by Make it Dairy Free where they taste tested 7 different vegan bacon brands to determine the best.
