This easy broccoli salad recipe without bacon is such a delicious recipe! It’s a great side dish to bring to family gatherings, backyard bbq get-togethers, or any weeknight when you’re looking for a big bowl of vegetables to serve at dinnertime. This healthy classic broccoli salad with simple ingredients will become one of your favorite things to make and serve!
Easy broccoli salad recipe without bacon
I love super simple recipes, and this healthy salad with crunchy sunflower seeds, pepitas, sweet and tart dried cranberries, a creamy dressing, and of course, crisp broccoli is easy and delicious!
Packed with vitamins and minerals and a great source of fiber, you’ll love the flavor and all the goodness you get with this classic side dish.
It’s the best thing to make any time of year but especially has it gets hotter outside and you’re looking for an easy recipe to impress your friends and family with. It will become the star of your cookouts!
What to serve broccoli salad with
Nothing screams summer BBQs like traditional broccoli salad, and we’re bringing that with a healthy twist! Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve along with broccoli salad:
- Mini beef sliders with sweet potato buns
- BBQ turkey burgers
- Healthy chicken burger recipe
- Ranch chicken
What you need for this healthy broccoli salad recipe
- raw broccoli florets
- sunflower seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- dried cranberries
- avocado oil mayonnaise
- green onion
- lemon juice
- maple syrup
- sea salt
- pepper
How to make broccoli salad without bacon
Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.
- To make the best broccoli salad recipe you’ll want to start by making sure your broccoli is cut into small pieces. Large cut florets that you may get in pre-cut broccoli bags are too large, so take a moment to give it a quick chop.
- In a large bowl add the mayo, lemon juice, maple syrup, sea salt, and pepper, and mix the dressing ingredients until fully combined.
- With the tangy dressing add the broccoli, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cranberry seeds, and green onion. Mix the dressing with the seed and broccoli mixture until fully combined and it’s ready to serve!
NOTE: Find yourself with lots of fresh broccoli? Be sure to check out my full broccoli prep and store guide!
Watch how easy it is to make this broccoli salad recipe!
Watch the full video how-to below, or over on my YouTube channel!
More delicious additions for this fresh broccoli salad
Customization is my favorite when it comes to cooking and that’s no different with this favorite broccoli salad recipe! Here are a few more delicious additions that you can add to change up the flavor.
What would be the first thing you’d add to this recipe?
- red onion
- dijon mustard
- feta cheese
- hemp hearts
- shredded cheddar cheese
Can this be made in advance?
Yes! This is the perfect side dish to make in advance because it keeps really well in the fridge.
In fact, the homemade dressing paired with chopped heads of broccoli gets even tastier the longer it sits making it the perfect recipe for meal prep!
You can fully make the recipe up to 3 days in advance to ensure it still has maximum freshness.
Alternatively, you can also make the salad dressing up to 5 days in advance, and then combine with the rest of the salad ingredients when you need it made.
How to store leftover broccoli salad
As I mentioned, this recipe is great to prep in advance, which means it also can be stored well as leftovers!
You’ll want to store any extra broccoli salad in a sealed container in the fridge. I love glass storage like these Pyrex storage containers and also wide mouth quart mason jar, but any storage container that can keep air out will do!
The salad will stay freshest the first 3 days but can be kept up to 5 days.
I would not recommend freezing leftovers as the broccoli will change and the salad will not defrost well.
Substitutions
Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this broccoli salad recipe without bacon.
If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!
Broccoli – If you can’t use broccoli, try cauliflower or thinly sliced brussels sprouts.
Seeds – Any seeds work as a substitute for sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Try hemp hearts for a protein-packed addition, or chop nuts like almonds or walnuts.
Dried cranberries – Raisins, or chopped dried cherries are great substitutes.
Avocado oil mayonnaise – To make this a vegan broccoli salad use a vegan mayo here. You can also make a greek yogurt dressing by substituting in plain yogurt for the mayo.
Lemon juice – Lime juice works as an alternative, as does apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
Maple syrup – Honey or coconut sugar are great substitutes.
More salad recipes you’ll love
Broccoli Salad Recipe without Bacon
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli chopped small
- ¼ cup avocado oil mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp green onion minced
Instructions
- To make the best broccoli salad recipe you’ll want to start by making sure your broccoli is cut into small pieces. Large cut florets that you may get in pre-cut broccoli bags are too large, so take a moment to give it a quick chop.
- In a large bowl add the mayo, lemon juice, maple syrup, sea salt, and pepper, and mix the dressing ingredients until fully combined.
- With the tangy dressing add the broccoli, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cranberry seeds, and green onion. Mix the dressing with the seed and broccoli mixture until fully combined and it’s ready to serve!
Nutrition
If you try this broccoli salad recipe without bacon, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
2 comments
This was a easy recipe that tastes really good.
Thanks
You’re welcome Wynetta! So glad you liked it 🙂