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Also note: While I am a certified nutrition coach, I am not a medical doctor. Information here is not intended to be a replacement for the advice you should seek from your doctor.
This light broccoli salad is the perfect side dish for your summer gatherings!
Sometimes a party salad just doesn’t do it without all the fixin’s! This is why my light broccoli salad still includes cheddar and bacon but is made healthier to greatly reduce the guilt. As a result, both your mind and body will thank you for this!
Plus, the tangy and creamy dressing I came up with is super tasty and will give a lot of taste to this healthy salad recipe, without adding unnecessary calories! This creamy dressing is made with Greek yogurt, lemon, mustard, and just a touch of mayonnaise. Everyone will ask you for the recipe!
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In conclusion, if you really want to surprise your family and friends, take this skinny broccoli salad with you! It is just an incredible side for Independence day, a barbecue party, or any other summer dining occasion.
The amazing ingredients of this Light Broccoli Salad
You might be wondering what wholesome ingredients make this skinny broccoli recipe so special. Let’s learn more about them!
Broccoli
The first one is, of course, broccoli. Broccoli is loaded with vitamins and minerals, such as immune-boosting vitamin C and vitamin K – both important in bone health and wound healing. In addition and above all, it is an excellent source of B vitamin, folates, vitamin A, manganese, and potassium.
Let’s take a look at the nutrition for one cup of raw chopped broccoli:
- Calories:31
- Fat: 0.3g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Sugars: 1.5g
- Protein: 2.5g
Broccoli health benefits:
- improves bone health
- boosts the immune system
- improves skin health
- reduces the risk of diabetes
- protects cardiovascular health
Carrots
Second, carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, specifically beta-carotene, along with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Nutrition information for 1 medium raw carrot:
- Calories: 25
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 42mg
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1.7g
- Sugars: 2.9g
- Protein: 0.6g
Carrot health benefits:
- protects eyesight
- improves dental health
- good for blood pressure and cardiovascular health
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Cranberries
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, are cranberries. The fresh or dried cranberries in the salad contain vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Because of their nutritional profile, they are very popular as a superfood. For instance, they are great to boost immunity and reduce inflammation in the body.
In conclusion, dried cranberries contain just a small amount of fat and have only a trace amount of protein. On the other hand, they are rich in fiber and simple carbohydrates. However, make sure you aim for dried cranberries that are lower in sugar.
Nutrition information for 1/4 cup of dried sweetened (low sugar) cranberries:
- Calories: 123
- Fat: 0.4g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 29g
- Protein: 0.1g
Health benefits:
- repairs damaged cells
- prevent urinary tract infections
- helps treat ulcers
Give this skinny broccoli salad recipe a try, and let us know how it goes in the comments!
https://www.verywellfit.com/broccoli-nutrition-facts-calories-and-health-benefits-4118226
https://www.verywellfit.com/carb-counts-for-cranberries-2241782
https://www.verywellfit.com/calories-in-carrots-3495643#when-its-best
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270191#benefits
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269142#benefits
Light Broccoli Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 heads Broccoli (about 1.25 lbs) cut into small fleurettes
- ½ whole Red onion diced
- 5 oz Carrots julienned (about a cup and a half)
- ½ cup Cranberries low sugar
- ⅓ cup Sunflower seeds shelled and roasted
- 6 oz Cheddar grated, aged preferably
- 5 strips Bacon
Tangy Creamy Dressing
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt plain nonfat
- ½ cup Mayonnaise with the least processed ingredients possible
- 1 whole Lemon both zest and juice
- 2 tsp Spicy mustard or deli mustard
- 2 tsp Honey
- ½ tsp Salt or to taste
- ½ tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 (if cooking bacon in the oven, instructions will include this method).
- Line the lower pan of a broiling pan with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Place bacon on upper pan. Once oven is preheated, bake bacon on center rack for 20-30 minutes until edges are crispy. Time usually varies depending on thickness of your bacon. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce in a small bowl. Mix together plain nonfat Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon zest, lemon juice, spicy mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, add salad ingredients: broccoli florets, diced red onion, julienned carrots, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and grated cheddar.
- When bacon has cooled, roughly chop or crumble into bits and add to the large bowl of salad.
- Add the dressing to the salad and stir to combine. Can be made a day ahead of time and stored for a couple additional days. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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