Broccoli Salad Recipe with Creamy Lemon Dressing

This Broccoli Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing is a refreshing and satisfying side dish that combines the crunch of fresh vegetables, the sweetness of apples and dried cranberries, and the nuttiness of toasted pecans. The zesty and tangy lemon dressing complements the fresh ingredients, making it a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or just a healthy side for dinner, this salad is easy to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad:

• 2 medium broccoli heads (about 1 lb), chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large carrot, grated or julienned
• 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 1/2 small red onion (about 1/4 cup), thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ Tbsp sugar, or to taste
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Toast the Nuts: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the pecans or walnuts. Toast for 4-5 minutes, tossing occasionally to prevent burning. Once fragrant and golden, transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop.
2. Prepare the Salad: Chop the broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl. Grate or julienne the carrot, chop the apple into small chunks, and thinly slice the red onion. Add all of these ingredients to the bowl along with the toasted nuts and dried cranberries or raisins.
3. Make the Creamy Lemon Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adjust the sugar to your taste, depending on how tangy or sweet you like your dressing.
4. Combine: Pour the dressing over the broccoli salad and toss everything together until evenly coated. You can either use all the dressing or add it to taste depending on your preference.
5. Serve: Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Tips for Success:

• Toast the nuts: This step is key to enhancing the nutty flavor and adding extra crunch to the salad.
• Choose fresh broccoli: Fresh, crisp broccoli will give you the best texture. Avoid broccoli that’s starting to wilt or turn yellow.
• Add sweetness: The apple and dried cranberries add a subtle sweetness that contrasts well with the tangy lemon dressing. If you want a slightly sweeter salad, you can add a touch more sugar to the dressing.
• Customize the mix-ins: Feel free to swap the pecans for almonds, the cranberries for raisins, or even add in sunflower seeds for a different texture.

This salad is not only versatile and easy to adapt to your taste, but it also holds up well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep!