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Fresh Classic Broccoli Grape Sunflower Seed Salad Recipe with Easy Honey Dressing

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A quick, fresh, and crunchy salad combining broccoli, grapes, and sunflower seeds with a light honey dressing. Perfect for busy days, potlucks, or as a side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups seedless red or green grapes, halved
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds, raw or roasted (unsalted recommended)
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise (optional for creaminess)
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (can substitute with dairy-free coconut yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Optional: chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill
  • Optional: sliced almonds or chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Rinse 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets under cold water. Dry thoroughly using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel. Chop into roughly 1-inch bite-sized pieces (about 5 minutes).
  2. Slice 2 cups of seedless grapes in half lengthwise (about 3 minutes).
  3. Finely dice ¼ cup red onion. To mellow flavor, soak diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes and drain well.
  4. If using raw sunflower seeds, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Skip if using pre-roasted seeds.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine ⅓ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, grapes, red onion, and sunflower seeds. Pour the honey dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly without crushing the grapes (2-3 minutes).
  7. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to soften slightly. Can be served immediately if needed.

Notes

Do not over-chop broccoli to maintain crunch. Dry ingredients well to avoid sogginess. Toast sunflower seeds carefully to avoid burning. Toss salad gently to keep grapes intact. Adjust honey and vinegar in dressing to taste. Prep broccoli and onion a day ahead if desired, but add grapes and dressing just before serving. For vegan version, substitute mayo and yogurt with plant-based alternatives and honey with maple syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli salad, grape salad, sunflower seed salad, honey dressing, quick salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/fresh-classic-broccoli-grape-sunflower-seed-salad-recipe-with-easy-honey-dressing/