This light and easy broccoli salad is a healthier version of classic broccoli salad that is made without bacon, dairy, or refined white sugar. It is full of crunch and flavor and makes for a delicious side dish.

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Light and Easy Broccoli Salad in a large bowl.

Say hello to your new favorite salad! This healthy broccoli salad is so delicious that you would never guess that it was good for you. It is made with chopped raw broccoli, sweet raisins, crunchy almonds and sunflower seeds, and a homemade creamy honey dijon mayo dressing.

This recipe is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, Paleo, and grain-free and is made using simple ingredients. If you love chilled creamy veggie filled salads, try my blueberry coleslaw or my dairy-free Mexican street corn pasta salad.

Table of Contents

Why this recipe works

  • It is incredibly delicious and satisfying, but is made with healthier ingredients.
    • Most broccoli salads are full of sugar, bacon, cheese and sour cream, but not this recipe.
  • It is made with 8 simple ingredients.
  • It comes together easily and in less than 10 minutes.
  • It can be eaten room temperature or chilled.
  • It is a great side dish to bring to a BBQ, party, or to make for yourself.
  • It is allergy friendly. It is dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredients needed to make healthy broccoli salad.
Ingredients needed to make the dressing for healthy broccoli salad.
  • Broccoli florets– make sure to chop the broccoli florets into small pieces. I even like to chop the florets themselves.
  • Raisins– check the ingredient list to make sure your raisins don’t have any added sugar in them.
  • Sliced almonds– you can use crushed almonds or sliced almonds.
  • Sunflower seeds– use raw sunflower seeds without shells.
  • Mayonnaise– use whatever mayo aligns with your dietary needs. You can make your own or buy it.
  • Dijon mustard– make sure your mustard doesn’t have added sugar inside.
  • Apple cider vinegar– this gives great flavor and is a good probiotic.
  • Honey– I like using raw honey, but any will work.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Additions/ Substitutions

  • Instead of raisins, you can use craisins or dried cherries.
  • Instead of sliced almonds, you can use a different nut.
  • Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use the vinegar of your choice.
  • Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup.
  • To make this dish Vegan, use Vegan mayo and use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • To make this dish Paleo, make sure your mayo is Paleo.

Step by step dairy-free broccoli salad instructions

The dressing mixed together in a bowl.
Step 1

Step 1: Make the creamy honey dijon mayo dressing. Mix the mayo, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and pepper together until creamy.

All the parts of the salad in a bowl.
Step 2

Step 2: Chop the broccoli florets into small pieces. Add the broccoli florets, raisins, sunflower seeds and sliced almonds to a large bowl.

The dressing added to the bowl.
Step 3

Step 3: Pour the dressing into the bowl.

The whole dairy-free broccoli salad mixed together in a large bowl.
Step 4

Step 4: Mix the dressing into the salad.

Recipe FAQs

Why is this broccoli salad healthier?

The ingredients in this salad are nutritious. Raw broccoli is a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is also anti-inflammatory by nature. Raisins help with digestion. They are also high in iron, potassium and magnesium.

Almonds are full of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. Sunflower seeds are a great source of vitamin E, which is great for your skin.

How do you store this salad?

In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How do you serve this salad?

You can serve it immediately after making it. Or you can chill it and serve it later.

It is a great side-dish, though it can be eaten on it’s own.

Broccoli salad without bacon in a large bowl.

Other healthy salads you’ll love:

Italian Tomato Salad

Carrot Grapefruit Salad

Lemon Arugula Salad

Kale Cobb Salad

Paleo Coleslaw

Did you try this recipe? Please leave me a ⭐ review below!

Light and Easy Broccoli Salad in a large bowl.

Light and Easy Broccoli Salad (Dairy-free)

Dominique
A healthier version of classic broccoli salad made without dairy, bacon, or any refined sugars.
4.80 from 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 225 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, add the broccoli florets, raisins, sliced almonds, and sunflower seeds.
  • In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt and pepper to the make dressing. Mix until smooth.
  • Add the dressing to the bowl with the broccoli and mix until all of the broccoli is wet and covered in some of the dressing.
  • You can eat this salad right away or store it in the fridge and serve it later.

Notes

  • Instead of raisins, you can use craisins or dried cherries.
  • Instead of sliced almonds, you can use a different nut.
  • Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use the vinegar of your choice.
  • Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup.
  • To make this dish Vegan, use Vegan mayo and use maple syrup instead of honey.
  • To make this dish Paleo, make sure your mayo is Paleo.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 6gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 449mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 581IUVitamin C: 82mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 2mg
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