If you’re in need of a side dish that is guaranteed to disappear fast, it’s this Sweet Onion Broccoli Salad. Fresh, creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy, it’s packed with texture and bright flavor in every bite. Made with crisp broccoli, craisins, toasted almonds, scallions, shredded carrots, and a creamy sweet onion dressing, this easy broccoli salad is perfect for BBQs, cookouts, potlucks, meal prep, summer nights, and holiday dinners.
Unlike traditional broccoli salad recipes, this version is completely mayo-free, making it perfect for anyone who’s mayo averse but who still wants a creamy, flavorful dressing. The combination of Greek yogurt, honey, orange juice, Dijon mustard, and shallots creates a light, refreshing dressing that coats every bite beautifully without feeling heavy.
One of the best parts about this salad is that it gets even better as it chills. The broccoli softens slightly while still keeping its crunch, and the flavors meld together perfectly, making it an ideal make-ahead side dish.
And if you love the creamy sweet onion dressing in this recipe, be sure to check out my full Creamy Sweet Onion Salad Dressing post for more serving ideas, variations, and ways to use it beyond salads.
Why you’ll love this recipe!
What ingredients do I need?
- For the Salad
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli is the base of this salad and provides the perfect crisp texture. Cutting the broccoli into medium-small bite-sized pieces helps the dressing coat evenly while making the salad easier to eat.
- Craisins: Dried cranberries add chewy texture and a sweet-tart flavor that balances the savory dressing beautifully.
- Scallions: Scallions bring mild onion flavor and freshness without overpowering the salad.
- Toasted Sliced Almonds: Toasted almonds add crunch, nuttiness, and extra texture. Toasting them beforehand gives the salad even more flavor depth.
- Grated Carrots: Grated carrots adds color, crunch, and a subtle sweetness.
- For the Sweet Onion Dressing
- Shallot: Shallots provide mild sweet onion flavor that blends beautifully into the creamy dressing.
- Honey: Honey adds natural sweetness and balances the tangy ingredients perfectly.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil creates richness and helps emulsify the dressing into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt makes the dressing creamy and tangy while keeping it lighter than mayonnaise-based broccoli salads.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon adds depth, tanginess, and helps the dressing emulsify.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar brightens the dressing and balances the sweetness.
- Fresh Orange Juice: Fresh orange juice adds brightness, citrus flavor, and natural sweetness.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds subtle savory flavor without overpowering the dressing.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all of the flavors.
Recipe Variations
- Crispy Bacon: Add crispy crumbled bacon to the salad
- Fall Inspired: Add diced apples for a fresh fall-inspired version
- Cheesy: Add shredded cheddar cheese for a richer broccoli salad
- Hearty: Stir in cooked quinoa, or farro, for a heartier side dish
Pro Tips
- Cut the broccoli into small bite-sized pieces so the dressing coats everything easily.
- Let the salad chill for at least 1 hour before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Toast the almonds beforehand to bring out their nutty flavor and crunch. Reserve extra almonds for topping right before serving to maintain crunch.
- Use fresh orange juice for the brightest flavor possible.
- Blend the dressing until completely smooth and creamy. I like to use my immersion blender, or regular blender, to do this. If you have more questions regarding the dressing, you can read about the dressing here.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning after chilling since flavors deepen as it sits.
- If you prefer softer broccoli, you can slightly blanch the broccoli or mix the salad and let it chill longer before serving.
- Don’t overdress the salad initially if making it ahead, you can always add more before serving.
Can I Substitute?
Yes! Like always though, any substitutions made to the recipe can result in a change in texture and/or flavor.
- Raisins: Swap craisins for raisins, chopped dried cherries, or dried blueberries
- Almonds: Use sunflower seeds, pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds instead of almonds
- Carrots: Substitute with thinly sliced red cabbage
- Greek yogurt: Replace Greek yogurt with sour cream for a richer dressing
- Honey: Use maple syrup instead of honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Use champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar instead
Dietary Substitutions
- Nut-Free: Replace the almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Lower Sugar: Reduce the honey slightly in the dressing and decrease the amount of craisins used.
- Higher Protein: Add shredded chicken, chickpeas, shelled edamame, or any other protein of choice.
Leftovers and Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover broccoli salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- As the salad sits, the broccoli will continue to soften slightly while still maintaining a pleasant crunch. Stir well before serving leftovers to redistribute the dressing evenly.
- For the best texture, store extra almonds separately and add them right before serving.
- The dressing can also be made ahead and stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- This salad is best served cold straight from the refrigerator.
But, I Still Have A Few Questions…
Can I make broccoli salad ahead of time?
Yes! This salad is actually even better after chilling for a few hours because the flavors have time to meld together.
How long should broccoli salad chill before serving?
At least 1 hour is recommended, but 2–4 hours is even better for maximum flavor.
Does the broccoli need to be cooked first?
No. The broccoli stays raw in this recipe, which keeps the salad crisp and fresh. This also helps it last longer if prepping it ahead of time.
Can I blanch the broccoli first?
Yes. If you prefer slightly softer broccoli, blanch it for 30–60 seconds in boiling water and then immediately transfer it to an ice water bath before drying thoroughly.
Can I use mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt?
You can substitute some or all of the Greek yogurt with mayonnaise, or sour cream, for a richer dressing.
Can I make this salad dairy-free?
Yes. Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative in place of the Greek yogurt.
What pairs well with broccoli salad?
This salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, burgers, pulled pork, ribs, sandwiches, BBQ dishes, and holiday dinners.
How do I keep the almonds crunchy?
I would add the almonds to the salad last, especially if preparing this more than a couple hours before you plan to serve it. You can also reserve some extra almonds and add them right before serving.
Can I make the dressing separately ahead of time?
Absolutely. The dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. In fact, the dressing is so delicious that you can use it on anything. You can see the full recipe post here.
Can I use bottled orange juice?
You can if absolutely needed, but fresh orange juice will give you the best flavor.
Is this broccoli salad healthy?
This version is lighter than traditional broccoli salad thanks to the Greek yogurt based dressing, yet it is still so creamy and flavorful.
Can I add protein to this salad?
Of course! Grilled chicken, chickpeas, shelled edamame, bacon, or even diced turkey work well.
Where can I find the full sweet onion dressing recipe?
You can link directly here to your dedicated Sweet Onion Salad Dressing blog post for additional details, variations, and serving ideas.
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Let’s engage!
Make sure to tag @thehomechefmomma on Instagram or Facebook, and leave a review or comment if you make these. I always get so excited to see your creations, variations of the recipe, and feedback! Just remember to be kind in your comments, there is still a person behind this screen! 🙂
Creamy Sweet Onion Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 heads broccoli chopped medium-small
- 1 cup craisins
- 1 bunch scallions diced
- ½ cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1 medium carrot grated
Sweet Onion Dressing
- 1 shallot minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 1 orange
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the chopped broccoli, craisins, scallions, toasted almonds, and grated carrots to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the shallot, honey, olive oil, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a tall container, blender, or small food processor.
- Use an immersion blender or blender to blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften slightly while still keeping a nice crunch.
- Toss once more before serving and top with extra toasted almonds if desired.
Notes
- Letting the salad chill makes a huge difference in flavor and texture.
- Toasting the almonds adds extra depth and crunch.
- For a sweeter salad, increase the craisins slightly.
- Reserve some almonds for topping right before serving for extra crunch.
- Cut the broccoli into medium-small bite-sized pieces so the dressing coats evenly.
- Fresh orange juice gives the best flavor in the dressing.
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Nutritional Content Disclaimer
I choose not to include nutritional information with my recipes, as these values can be calculated from the ingredients provided. With my background as a pediatric nurse practitioner and my own family experience with disordered eating, I understand how focusing on numbers can affect our relationship with food. My philosophy is that all foods have a place—sweet, savory, nourishing, or indulgent. I aim to share recipes that support a healthy, joyful approach to eating. My hope is that this space also encourages a balanced, healthy relationship with food for you and your family too.