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Fresh Classic Broccoli Salad Recipe with Cranberry Cheddar and Honey Mustard Dressing

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A quick, colorful, and satisfying broccoli salad featuring crunchy broccoli, tart cranberries, sharp cheddar, and a perfectly balanced honey mustard dressing. Ideal for easy healthy meals and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets under cold water and pat dry. Cut into bite-sized pieces, aiming for uniform size so they marinate evenly. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Cube or shred 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese. Finely dice ¼ cup red onion. (5 minutes)
  3. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast ¼ cup sunflower seeds for 3-5 minutes, stirring often until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool. (5 minutes)
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Whisk or shake well until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (5 minutes)
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli, cheddar, dried cranberries, diced onion, and cooled sunflower seeds. Pour the dressing over the salad. (2 minutes)
  6. Toss everything together gently until the broccoli is evenly coated. Be gentle to keep the broccoli crisp. (2 minutes)
  7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before plating.

Notes

Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and keep broccoli crisp. Add crispy bacon bits before serving for extra crunch. Avoid overdressing to prevent sogginess. Use firm, fresh broccoli and cut into bite-sized pieces for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, cranberry cheddar salad, honey mustard dressing, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/fresh-classic-broccoli-salad-recipe-with-cranberry-cheddar-and-honey-mustard-dressing-perfect-for-easy-healthy-meals/