4.93 from 14 reviews

Healthy Broccoli Salad

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Everyone needs a good go to Healthy Broccoli Salad for potlucks, parties, or summer BBQs. This is my must make recipe for that time of year and it also is great for meal prepping for lunch during the week!

It’s full of flavor, texture and made with the best creamy dressing that gets a protein boost from the Greek yogurt.

We’re talking lots of vibrant broccoli pieces tossed with dried cranberries (sorry raisins), red grapes, walnuts, feta cheese, celery and red onion.

Broccoli salad is so forgiving and versatile too! You can add in different types of cheese like cheddar or jack, use different nuts like almonds or even pine nuts and sun flower seeds, add in more color from shredded carrots, toss in bacon because why not, or add in diced apple if you’re not feeling the grapes.

Some of my other favorite salads that are great for a group are my Easy Italian Pasta Salad, Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, Healthy Potato Salad, and 4 Bean Salad with Avocado.

What is broccoli salad?

Broccoli salad is an easy salad that traditionally is made with broccoli of course, raisins, bacon bits, red onion, sun flower seeds and a creamy mayo-based dressing. My recipe varies a little bit, but no matter what you toss in, everybody needs a good broccoli salad in their arsenal and mine is the best! Promise ?

broccoli salad in a white bowl.

What goes into this healthy broccoli salad?

For the ingredient measurements and entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.

ingredients to make broccoli salad in small white bowls.
  • Broccoli florets: pro tip: cut them nice and small so it’s a nice size to eat!
  • Cheese: I use feta in this recipe but you can also use shredded cheddar or goat cheese
  • Dried cranberries: I love the pop of color and sweetness they add, or feel free to use raisins or golden raisins.
  • Red onion: I love it diced small, but feel free to slice thinly and toss in.
  • Walnuts: Can sub with pecans, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, or leave em’ out!
  • My bonus add ins: red grapes and celery
  • Dressing: I use part mayonnaise, part Greek yogurt, lemon juice and honey.
broccoli, cranberries, grapes and celery in a large white bowl.

How to make a Healthy Broccoli Salad

For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card.

  1. Make the dressing.
  2. Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. Add the dressing and toss to combine.
  4. Chill until ready to serve!
step by step photos of making broccoli salad.

FAQ

Can you make this healthy broccoli salad dairy free?

Yes, just use a dairy free cheese and a dairy free yogurt for the dressing! It’s just as delicious!

How long does broccoli salad last?

Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 5 days.

Can I prepare this in advance?

Yes! It’s actually better made ahead so the salad can chill and it gives the flavors time to develop.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes! I’d recommend using Vegenaise or your favorite vegan mayo or vegan yogurt, imitation bacon bits if you want to add bacon, you can use sugar or maple syrup instead of the honey in the dressing and your favorite vegan cheese.

a close up image of broccoli salad made with grapes, walnuts, red onion, cranberries and feta cheese.

If you had to choose one vegetable, which one would you pick?

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

4.93 from 14 reviews

Healthy Broccoli Salad

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Healthy Broccoli Salad made with Greek yogurt, dried cranberries, grapes, walnuts, celery, honey and feta cheese. It's a perfect low maintenance side dish to bring to BBQs, parties or family dinners! So easy and delicious!

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 2 heads broccoli, chopped into small florets (~6-8 cups)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup red grapes, halved
  • 1/2 medium red onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese

For the dressing

  • 2/3 cup plain, full-fat Greek Yogurt
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise*
  • 2-3 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. honey, plus more as desired
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Chop the broccoli into bite sized pieces and place in large mixing bowl with the dried cranberries, grapes, red onion, celery, walnuts and feta cheese. Toss.
    2 heads broccoli, chopped into small florets (~6-8 cups), 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup red grapes, halved, 1/2 medium red onion, diced, 2 stalks celery, chopped, 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped, 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • In a smaller bowl, whisk the yogurt, mayo, honey, and lemon juice together until all ingredients are blended. Taste and adjust, adding more honey or lemon juice as desired.
    2/3 cup plain, full-fat Greek Yogurt, 2/3 cup mayonnaise*, 2 Tbsp. honey, plus more as desired, 2-3 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Chill for about 20 minutes, or longer, then enjoy!
    salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chill the salad for about 20 minutes, or longer to help the flavors develop to create a super flavorful salad. Once chilled, enjoy!

Video

Notes

Some substitutions and variations: 
  • Feel free to add bacon crumbles, diced apples, cubed cheese or shredded carrots
  • Use all Greek yogurt instead of mayo, if preferred. Use vegan mayo if needed.
  • Use sun flower seeds or pine nuts instead of walnuts.
  • Use white sugar instead of honey.
  • Use raisins instead of dried cranberries.
  • Use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice.
Storage: 
  • Salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 5 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 227kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 22g (7%), Protein: 9g (18%), Fat: 22g (34%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 17mg (6%), Sodium: 291mg (13%), Fiber: 6g (25%), Sugar: 21g (23%), Calcium: 154mg (15%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Krolls Korner

Krolls Korner

Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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Miriam

So many flavors in this salad. I love it!

Karen F.

This is a delicious broccoli salad! Loved the dressing, the grapes and walnuts and cranberries… totally awesome and healthy! Thanks for the recipe… it’s a keeper! ?

SHANIKA

This Broccoli Salad looks so delicious! I love how creamy it is! Definitely a great lunch meal or side for dinner!

Sapana

This salad was amazing! I love how easy it was to make.

Chris Collins

Broccoli salad is one of my favourite salads! Love that you added grapes to this too 🙂

Jessica

My mom made this for us growing up all the time. I have such happy memories of eating it in the summer. I’m looking forward to trying your version!

Emily Liao

I made this last night for dinner and it was so good! The flavors are great and the toppings make for the perfect crunch.

Linda North

How about dried cherries? I love them but I’ve just been eating them alone. I’d like a salad

Susan

I loved the health/nutrition information about dried cranberries that you included with your recipe! I would enjoy seeing more of this with your recipes.