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Creamy Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Cheddar

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A refreshing and creamy broccoli salad featuring sharp cheddar cheese and sweet-tart dried cranberries, perfect for summer sides and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds or toasted almonds
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets. Cut into small bite-sized pieces about 1 inch. Peel and slice stalks thinly for extra crunch if desired.
  2. Finely dice 1/4 cup red onion. For milder flavor, soak diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes then drain well.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey. Add salt and pepper to taste and whisk until smooth and creamy.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped broccoli, shredded sharp cheddar, dried cranberries, diced onion, and sunflower seeds or toasted almonds. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to coat evenly, being gentle to avoid bruising the broccoli.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and broccoli soften slightly.
  7. Before serving, toss the salad again and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Add a splash more yogurt or mayo if the salad feels too dry.

Notes

Use fresh, firm broccoli for best crunch. Toast nuts or seeds before adding for extra flavor. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. For vegan version, substitute mayo with vegan mayo, Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt, and cheddar with plant-based cheese or omit.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, summer side dish, cranberry salad, cheddar cheese salad, easy salad recipe, potluck salad

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/creamy-broccoli-salad-with-cranberries-and-cheddar-easy-recipe-for-perfect-summer-sides/