Broccoli Salad with Cranberries, Nuts, and Crispy Spiced Seeds Recipe
A vibrant and crunchy broccoli salad featuring fresh broccoli florets, tangy dressing, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds and pepitas with a smoky tamari glaze, perfect for a quick, healthy, and flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 pound broccoli crowns
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt (more to taste)
- ⅓ cup diced red onions
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
Toasted Nuts and Seeds
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup pepitas
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for toasting the nuts and seeds.
- Prepare Broccoli: Chop the broccoli florets into ½-inch pieces and dice any remaining stems into ¼-inch pieces after peeling away any tough or woody parts.
- Make Dressing and Toss Salad: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, and sea salt. Add chopped broccoli, diced red onions, and dried cranberries, then toss everything well to coat evenly with the dressing.
- Toast Nuts and Seeds: On the prepared baking sheet, spread almonds and pepitas in a single layer. Toss them with tamari, maple syrup, and smoked paprika. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until golden and toasted, then remove from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes, during which they will become crispier.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the toasted nuts and seeds into the salad, reserving a few for garnish on top. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately for the best crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure to peel the woody parts of the broccoli stem to avoid tough texture.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey if preferred.
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast nuts and seeds but monitor closely to prevent burning.
- This salad is best served fresh to enjoy the crunch of toasted nuts and fresh broccoli.
- Adjust salt and smoked paprika to your personal taste preference.
