Lightened Up Broccoli Salad
I mentioned this the other day, but we have finally entered my favorite eating season – warm weather eating. For me this means lots of veggie & grain salads, grilled meats and fruit. Basically light, fresh food. I just crave it this time of year.
A few weeks ago I was craving a broccoli salad. An odd craving yes, but I love broccoli salad and realized that I hadn’t ever made one at home. I wanted to try pulling together a “lighter” version using Greek yogurt. It was delicious, especially with all the add ins – a little sweetness from raisins, a little savory from cheese and green onion, and some crunch from pecans. Of course, you can add a little salty bacon to the mix if you so desire (I am probably in the minority here, but do not feel the need to add bacon to such a great veggie salad! 🙂 )…it’s truly up to you!
I served this alongside my husbands smoked ribs at a family barbecue and it was a hit! Enjoy and have a great week!
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PinIngredients
- 1 lb broccoli floret, cut into bite sized pieces
- 4 scallions, chopped
- 4 oz colby jack or cheddar cheese, cut small pieces
- 1/2 cup raisins (I used 1/4 each of regular and golden)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use reduced fat olive oil mayo)
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Blanch your broccoli by adding florets to boiling water for 1 minute. Immediately pull florets out and place into a bowl of ice water to shock and cool. Place florets onto a dish towel to dry.
- In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Add your scallions, raisins and cheese to the dressing. Add dried broccoli florets to bowl and gently combine until dressing is distributed evenly. Add chopped pecans, salt and pepper (to taste) and mix.
- Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
As much as I love writing about food (obviously), it’s always nice to change things up. I recently shared 10 Things I’ve Learned over at Gimme Some Oven…check it out!
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So…I don’t like mayo at all..>I wonder if a full on Greek yogurt version would work? I also don’t like bacon…maybe I’m just a weirdo haha. Looks so good!
so, that’s a tough one. I don’t “love” mayo, but I’ve found all Greek yogurt to have more of liquidy/tart texture and flavor so I add the mayo to soften it up a bit. If I make it again, I will try all yogurt because I was wondering same thing. And bacon? Well, I don’t mind it now and then but I HATE cooking it (the grease disgusts me) and I don’t feel the need to put it in everything…so I’m with ya! I do enjoy it on a BLT or club sandwich though! 🙂
Try to skip mayo and add a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Your Greek yogurt won’t taste as tart. Also can add some garlic. Yum, garlic and broccoli.:)
I’m going to try that soon – the apple cider vinegar and garlic! : )
My sister in law always makes broccoli salad and I’ve really been wanting to try a ‘cleaner-lighter version’ so thanks for the inspiration! This looks delish:)
Thanks Dani! 🙂
I could eat broccoli salad every single day and I love your lightened up version!
I’m literally eating a bowl of broccoli salad AS i read this. I made it at home – yum. Wish I would of added cheese…cheese sounds like the perfect addition!!!
funny I never thought to add cheese but I saw it randomly somewhere and thought it was a unique addition! I cut it real small so it was just right for a bite 🙂 Thanks Maria!
I don’t normally love broccoli salad with mayo dressings by to love the balance you give it with the salty cheese and scallions!! Brilliant Aggie!
I love broccoli salad so much! So full of flavour and so yummy 🙂
I LOVE broccoli salad too and have never made it at home either. I only eat it when I go to Sweet Tomatoes which is once in a blue moon! Must try your recipe ASAP!
Well, lucky you and your pretty bowl for entering that dreamy season. We are still waiting!!! Ugh, I want summer NOW!!! And I’m in a bacon haters minority with you. Can’t stand all those nitrates and grease. But this salad looks delicious and crispy!!! Pinning!
This salad is beautiful! I think I would actually like your lightened up version – light on the mayo makes me happy! I bet this was perfect for a summer bbq!
This sounds so fresh and yummy! And I LOVE that you used Greek yogurt! 🙂
This is a great summer time salad. My sister always makes one from a bag – yuck. I cannot wait to share this recipe with her, as your ingredients are so fresh, and I love the addition of greek yogurt!
I’ve never had broccoli salad… buuuuut now I’m craving it too! Yay for warm weather food!
What a gorgeous dish of yum!
I am ALL about broccoli these days–it’s such a delicious vegetable.The first time I ever ate a raw broccoli salad was when I made the recipe from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook and I fell in love with eating broccoli with a creamy dressing. I love how your recipe uses Greek yogurt (one of my favorite ingredients!) to keep the dressing lighter and healthier. I also love the small cubes of cheese and pecans. I also like the scallions–you still get that onion flavor without the sharp “bite” from a regular onion. Bravissima! This will go into my summer salad rotation!
Broccoli salad is the best! I love this one, Aggie. I do a lightened one too but mine is very different from yours. I need to put this on my “to try” list.
Oh yum! I adore broccoli salad. Once again, you’ve made me swoon over a salad!
Sounds and looks delicious thanks for sharing.
I love that you lightened up this salad! A healthy option to bring to bbq’s this summer!