Description
A vibrant and crunchy Broccoli Crunch Salad featuring fresh broccoli florets, dried cranberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and tangy Manchego cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon and white wine vinegar dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
Salad
- 1 lb broccoli (chopped into bite size pieces)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup Manchego cheese (diced; or sharp cheddar, feta, etc.)
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, mayonnaise, minced shallots, Dijon mustard, and honey until combined. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, dried cranberries, diced Manchego cheese, and chopped toasted almonds.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Meld flavors: Let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld, though this step is optional and the salad can be served immediately.
Notes
- This salad pairs well as a side dish with grilled meats or as a light vegetarian lunch.
- You can substitute Manchego cheese with sharp cheddar, feta, or your favorite cheese for varied flavors.
- Toasting almonds intensifies their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Letting the salad rest for 10-15 minutes before serving helps the dressing infuse into the broccoli for better taste.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 79 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg
