This Healthy Broccoli Salad is everything your summer picnic needs. It’s fresh, full of texture, and loaded with flavor. I am one of those weirdos who hates mayo – anyone else? I think it’s gross, what can I say? This broccoli salad is free of mayo, but it’s so loaded with other goodies!

Broccoli florets with just the right amount of char are surrounded by crisp apples, toasted and salted pistachios, sweet golden raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing to pull all of these flavors together in every bite. Before we get started, let’s cover a few quick questions.

Can I use broccolini?

Yes! I love this recipe with broccoli because it’s easier to chew, however, it can be difficult to find year-round. So if you prefer broccolini, use it! I just recommend roasting it for 7-8 minutes instead of 12-15  because it will roast much quicker.

What kind of apple should I use?

I recommend using a crisp and slightly tart apple. Green apples are okay, and they have a low moisture content, so they likely won’t get soggy. I also love a good honeycrisp or gala.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

This recipe requires one simple swap to make this vegan. This recipe calls for honey, but maple syrup or agave are both suitable swaps. They both provide slightly different flavor, but they are super delicious. Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave syrup at a one-to-one ratio.

 

Ingredients

1 medium head of broccoli
1 large apple
⅓ cup roasted and salted pistachios
½ cup golden raisins
1/2 shallot, thinly sliced
¼ cup olive oil
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt, plus a pinch

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425F.
  2. Prepare broccoli. Chop broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with two tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a nice char forms, and broccoli is fork tender.
  3. Prepare other mix-ins. Dice apple into small, pea-sized chunks, removing the stem and seeds. Slice shallot thinly.
  4. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together remaining two tablespoons of olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and salt until combined.
  5. In a large serving bowl, combine broccoli, apples, pistachios, raisins, shallots, and dressing and stir until mixture is evenly coated with the dressing. Refrigerate and chill for at least one hour before enjoying.
This Healthy Broccoli Salad features charred broccoli florets, crisp apples, salty pistachios, sweet raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing.
This Healthy Broccoli Salad features charred broccoli florets, crisp apples, salty pistachios, sweet raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing.
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Healthy Broccoli Salad
Broccoli florets with just the right amount of char are surrounded by crisp apples, toasted and salted pistachios, sweet golden raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing to pull all of these flavors together in every bite. Before we get started, let's cover a few quick questions.
Author: Maddie Augustin
Ingredients
  • 1 medium head of broccoli
  • 1 large apple
  • ⅓ cup roasted and salted pistachios
  • ½ cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 shallot thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp salt plus a pinch
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425F.
  2. Prepare broccoli. Chop broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle with two tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a nice char forms, and broccoli is fork tender.
  3. Prepare other mix-ins. Dice apple into small, pea-sized chunks, removing the stem and seeds. Slice shallot thinly.
  4. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together remaining two tablespoons of olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and salt until combined.
  5. In a large serving bowl, combine broccoli, apples, pistachios, raisins, shallots, and dressing and stir until mixture is evenly coated with the dressing. Refrigerate and chill for at least one hour before enjoying.

This Healthy Broccoli Salad features charred broccoli florets, crisp apples, salty pistachios, sweet raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing. This Healthy Broccoli Salad features charred broccoli florets, crisp apples, salty pistachios, sweet raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing. This Healthy Broccoli Salad features charred broccoli florets, crisp apples, salty pistachios, sweet raisins, sharp shallots, and a simple dressing.