Broccoli Salad with Blueberries
Get ready to discover your new favorite sidekick for barbecues, picnics, or just a bright, fresh dinner. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a vibrant, delicious, and surprisingly easy Broccoli Salad with Blueberries that’s going to totally WOW you and everyone lucky enough to try it. It’s truly a celebration of fresh flavors!
Why You’ll LOVE this Salad
Get ready to fall head over heels for this incredible salad! It’s a total game-changer for any meal.
- Super healthy: Loaded with fresh veggies and fruit, it’s a guilt-free pleasure.
- Sweet and savory: That perfect balance of flavors will surprise and delight you.
- Crowd-pleaser: Everyone at your picnic or potluck will be raving about it.
- Totally customizable: Feel free to make it your own with your favorite add-ins.
- No cooking needed: Just chop, mix, and ENJOY!
If you love a broccoli salad with a creamy dressing, check out my other delicious recipes, like Broccoli Salad with Greek Yogurt and Broccoli Raisin Bacon Salad, which are always a hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this amazing salad, you’ll need a few fresh and flavorful items. Just peek at the recipe card below for all the exact ingredient amounts!
- Broccoli florets: I always pick fresh, vibrant green heads; they make such a difference.
- Fresh blueberries: These little bursts of sweetness are simply divine in the salad.
- Red onion: For that perfect zing and a lovely pop of color in every bite.
- Sunflower seeds: You’ll love the satisfying crunch and nutty flavor they add.
- Dried cranberries: These bring a chewy texture and another layer of fruity sweetness.
- Greek yogurt: This makes our dressing wonderfully creamy and oh-so-tangy.
- Honey: Just a touch of sweetness to balance all those fantastic flavors perfectly.
- Apple cider vinegar: It gives the dressing a bright, zesty kick that wakes everything up.
- Salt and pepper: You’ll use these to season the salad just right, to your taste.
How to Make Broccoli Salad with Blueberries
Making this salad is seriously a breeze! You’re just a few simple steps away from a bowl full of deliciousness that everyone will adore.
Step 1: Prep your veggies and fruit
First, grab your 4 cups of broccoli florets and give them a good rinse, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Wash 1 cup of fresh blueberries, too, and finely dice ½ cup of red onion.
Step 2: Make the creamy dressing
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste until it’s perfectly seasoned and super smooth.
Step 3: Combine all the goodies
Now, in a large mixing bowl, gently combine your chopped broccoli, blueberries, diced red onion, ½ cup of sunflower seeds, and ½ cup of dried cranberries. Toss them all together.
Step 4: Dress and chill the salad
Pour your creamy Greek yogurt dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Mix everything until every single piece is coated in that amazing dressing. Pop it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
Tips for the Best Broccoli Salad
Want to make your salad extra special? These tips will help you create a masterpiece!
- Chop small and even: Smaller florets soak up more dressing and are easier to eat.
- Fresh is best: Always use fresh broccoli and blueberries for the best flavor and texture.
- Taste and adjust: Always taste your dressing before adding it; adjust honey or vinegar as needed.
- Chill it right: Letting the salad chill allows flavors to meld beautifully, don’t skip this.
- Add mix-ins last: For extra crunch, add nuts or seeds right before serving time.
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to get creative with your salad! It’s super flexible and totally welcoming to your own twist.
- Swap the berries: Try chopped grapes or diced apple instead of blueberries for a different fruit.
- Nutty crunch: Pecans, walnuts, or almonds can easily replace sunflower seeds for a new texture.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your dressing for a little kick!
- Add Cheese: A sprinkle of crumbled feta or goat cheese adds a lovely tangy flavor.
- Herb appeal: Fresh parsley or dill chopped finely can brighten up the entire dish.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This salad is fantastic for meal prep! You can easily make it ahead of time, which makes your life so much easier when you’re busy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually get even better on day two!
If you’re planning to make it several days in advance, you might want to keep the dressing separate. And toss it with the salad ingredients just an hour or two before serving to maintain maximum crunch, especially if you’re sensitive to slightly softer broccoli.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli for this salad?
No, it’s best to stick with fresh broccoli for this recipe because frozen broccoli tends to get too watery when thawed.
How long does broccoli salad with blueberries last in the fridge?
This delicious salad will stay fresh and tasty in an airtight container in your refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.
What to serve with broccoli salad with blueberries?
This salad is super versatile! It’s amazing with grilled chicken, baked salmon, pulled pork, or even alongside a juicy burger.
Can I add bacon to this broccoli salad?
Absolutely! Crispy, cooked bacon bits would add a fantastic savory crunch and smoky flavor to your salad. YUM!
Is this salad suitable for a potluck?
Yes, this salad is PERFECT for a potluck or picnic. It holds up well and is always a huge hit with everyone.
Can I make the dressing lighter?
You can use a lighter Greek yogurt or even a mix of Greek yogurt and a little skim milk to thin it slightly if you prefer.
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?
White wine vinegar or even fresh lemon juice can be used as a good substitute for apple cider vinegar in the dressing.
Can I add more vegetables to the salad?
Of course! Diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even some corn would be wonderful additions to this colorful salad.
What other dried fruits can I use?
Besides cranberries, golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, or even dried cherries would be delicious in this salad.
Broccoli Salad with Blueberries
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Wash and chop 4 cups of broccoli florets into small, bite-sized pieces. Rinse 1 cup of fresh blueberries, and finely dice ½ cup of red onion.
- Whisk Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine ¾ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste and whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped broccoli, blueberries, diced red onion, ½ cup sunflower seeds, and ½ cup dried cranberries.
- Dress and Chill: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything until all components are well-coated. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give the salad a final toss right before serving. Garnish with a few extra blueberries or sunflower seeds if you like. This salad is now ready to be devoured! ENJOY!!!
Notes
- For the best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- You can easily customize this salad with other nuts or seeds you love.
- Add grilled chicken for a complete and satisfying main course meal.
- Adjust the amount of honey to your personal sweetness preference.
- Always taste the dressing before adding it, adjusting seasoning as needed.
