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Broccoli salad is a southern staple and a personal favorite of my hubby. He requests it anytime of year, but I love to make it in the spring and fall when broccoli is in season. You should definitely try growing your own broccoli at home! I digress. This broccoli salad makes an attempt to be healthier and it is husband approved, which says a lot!
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Lightening up broccoli salad
The regular version of broccoli salad comes complete with white sugar and a good bit of mayo. I’m not opposed to either of these things entirely, but if I still want to have dessert after dinner, I’d rather not blow all my calories and sugar during dinner, right?
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So I swapped out some of the sugar for honey in my first attempt, and I liked that. For the second try I used a stevia blend called Pyure, and I loved those results. For full disclosure, I have used stevia for several years now, and this particular brand and pure stevia don’t leave any aftertastes for me. If it’s your first time using stevia, it may take some getting used to. Honey is a great option for those just wanted to avoid refined sugars.
Swapping out some of the mayo for greek yogurt is something I’ve been doing more and more in recipes, and I love it. The greek yogurt is lighter and typically has fewer ingredients, as well as some good bacteria!
Ingredients for healthier broccoli salad
- 7 cups broccoli
- 1/2 cup raisins or craisins
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 4 slices cooked bacon (crispy!)
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayo (Dukes, of course)
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp honey or sweetener of choice
How to make broccoli salad
- Begin by cooking your bacon until it’s good and crispy. Place bacon on a paper towel lined plate to cool.
2. Then chop your fresh broccoli and place it in a large bowl. Add in chopped onion, sunflower seeds, and raisins. Mix to combine.
3. In a 2 cup measuring cup, combine mayo, greek yogurt, vinegar, and sweetener or honey. Mix well.
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4. Pour creamy dressing over broccoli mixture and stir until the dressing is coating the salad. Cover the salad and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
5. When ready to serve, top the healthy broccoli salad with bacon crumbles and mix. Enjoy!
Variations for broccoli salad recipe
- Substitute agave nectar for the honey/sweetener
- Use golden raisins instead of raisins or Craisins
- Try a different type of nut or seed in place of the sunflower seeds
- Swap bacon for turkey bacon for less fat
- Add in fresh, chopped grapes for a sweet, juicy addition
How to store healthy broccoli salad
Store broccoli salad in the refrigerator covered. It actually tastes best after it’s been refrigerated for a few hours. Broccoli salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days, after that, the quality of the salad goes down, in my opinion.
I’d love to know if you have other variations for a lighter broccoli salad recipe, so feel free to leave a comment below! This is such a great salad for spring and summer cookouts, and I hope you and your family enjoy it!
Other Salad Recipes
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Pomegranate and Orange Salad
- Roasted Beet and Orange Salad
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe
