Addicting Broccoli Salad

An easy way to eat more veggies, try this simple and yet very addicting broccoli salad. Crunchy, munchy, tangy, salty, sweet, and and all sorts of others good things. Tossed with my homemade ranch dressing and toasted almonds, this makes an easy side dish.

This broccoli salad came together on a night when I found myself exhausted from the day. I had a half jar of my homemade ranch in the fridge, a bag of fresh broccoli, and some other odds and ends. Within a few minutes, I had a perfect side dish and truly couldn’t believe how much I loved this. The idea for this came from a an old recipe I came across on Smitten Kitchen (she is the home-cook queen!!) and so this is my spin on her very popular broccoli salad recipe.

The Ingredient List

The ingredients for this are very simple. Assuming you already have a batch of my homemade ranch dressing ready, it come together so easy.

• Fresh Broccoli: I had a bag of pre cut broccoli but any kind will do.
• Toasted Slivered Almonds: If your almonds are not toasted, spread them on a sheet pan and bake them at 350 for 5 minutes.
• Homemade Ranch Dressing: I love my recipe for this. I don’t think this recipe will be the same with a store bought ranch.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: For extra tanginess!
• Honey: Just a tad for sweetness.
• Dried Cranberries: Chop really small so they blend well throughout.
• Salt and pepper to taste!

They Key To This Very Addicting Broccoli Salad

There are a few things you can’t skimp on. One, you must toast the almonds, it makes a big difference. It only takes a few minutes and I use my toaster oven to speed this along. Next, make sure you chop the broccoli right, we want these pieces sliced thin and then chopped into bite size pieces. You can use the stalk too! Peel the tough outer layer and then chop it up, it adds extra crunch! Lastly, the homemade ranch dressing and the extra splash of apple cider vinegar really takes it home. Don’t forget to season well with salt and fresh cracked pepper!

We served this with chicken nuggets and it was kids-approved!

👇🏻 Watch the full recipe walkthrough in my YouTube video below!

Addicting Broccoli Salad

5 from 4 votes

A simple and yet very addicting broccoli salad. Crunchy, munchy, tangy, salty, sweet, and and all sorts of others good things. Tossed with my homemade ranch dressing and toasted almonds, this makes an easy side dish.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Side Dish, Vegetables

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb about 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets, stems included slice thin and then slice into bite size pieces
• ½ scant cup sliced almonds – toasted
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
• 1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey to taste
• ½ cup homemade ranch dressing https://christinesnotebook.com/greek-yogurt-ranch-dressing/

Method

 

Roast the almonds:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread sliced almonds on a baking sheet and roast for about 5 minutes, watching closely — they burn quickly. Set aside to cool.

Prep the mix-ins:

1. Finely chop the broccoli into thin slices and then small, bite-sized pieces. For the stalk, peel the outer layer and copy things as well, these add a nice crunch! Chop the dried cranberries very small so they distribute evenly through the salad.

Assemble the salad:

1. Add the broccoli, roasted almonds, and cranberries to a large bowl. Season lightly with salt.

Dress it:

1. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar, a small drizzle of honey, and the ranch dressing. Toss well to coat.

Taste and adjust:

1. Adjust salt, vinegar, or honey as needed. Chill slightly before serving if desired.

Video