Description
This Greek Healthy Broccoli Salad is a vibrant, nutrient-packed dish featuring crunchy broccoli florets, juicy cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, crisp cucumbers, and red onions, all tossed in a creamy, flavorful cashew-based dressing infused with lemon, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs. Perfect as a refreshing side or a light lunch, this salad is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based, making it a wholesome choice for a healthy lifestyle.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 cup raw cashews (140g), soaked in water overnight
- 6 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of 1 whole medium lemon
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Salad
- 5 cups broccoli, chopped into bite-sized florets
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 6 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 1 large cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Cashews: Drain the water from the soaked cashews soaked overnight and place them in a high-powered food processor ready for blending.
- Make the Dressing: Add water, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, garlic, sea salt, basil, thyme, and freshly ground black pepper to the food processor with the cashews. Blend starting on low speed and gradually increasing to high until the mixture becomes completely smooth and creamy, about 2 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure even blending.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a very large bowl, add the chopped broccoli florets, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, diced red onion, and halved Kalamata olives.
- Toss With Dressing: Pour the prepared creamy cashew dressing over the combined vegetables and toss thoroughly until all pieces are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to let the broccoli absorb the flavors of the dressing and for the salad to chill properly.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: After chilling, taste the salad and add extra salt and freshly ground pepper if desired. Serve cold as a refreshing, healthy dish.
Notes
- Soaking cashews overnight softens them, resulting in a creamier dressing texture.
- Chilling the salad for several hours enhances the flavor as the broccoli absorbs the dressing.
- This salad is naturally gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- The salad is best served within 2 days for optimal freshness.
