Fresh Broccolini Salad Without Mayo

From baby showers to backyard BBQ this Fresh Broccolini Salad tossed in a Tangy Honey Yogurt (mayo-free) Dressing is always a crowd favorite! Packed with flavor and simple to make, this is my go-to side dish when I need something cold, crisp, and light. 

Crunchy raw broccolini, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, pecans, and almonds are tossed with a simple vinaigrette made from plain greek yogurt, honey, and apple cider vinegar. This is the best-chilled salad that’s not only loaded with healthy superfood ingredients but super yummy!

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More Yummy Side Dishes & Cold Salads

If you are looking for more cold side dishes and healthy salad recipes check out this Loaded Vegetable Greek Pasta Salad and this Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fresh broccolini is elegant, making it the perfect cold side dish for summer parties
• This recipe is easily made into Broccolini Slaw
• Amazing clean eating, real food ingredients.
• It’s the perfect spring and summer side dish
• Quick & easy - ready in just 15 minutes
• Delicious antioxidant-packed salad
• You’ll love the amazing mayo-free honey yogurt vinaigrette
• Who doesn't love a no-cook side dish!

How Do You Trim Broccliini?

Trim off the bottom ⅓ of the stem. For wider pieces of broccolini, cut them down the center lengthwise. This will ensure the stems are tender and crisp in your salad. 

How To Turn Broccolini Salad Into Broccolini Slaw

To make broccolini slaw, follow the directions for this recipe as written, but you'll need to cut your broccolini stems into match stick shapes.

Follow these easy instructions:

• Cut the broccolini to remove the florets.
• Julienne the stems of the broccolini into thin match stick shapes by cutting the stems in half lengthwise and then chop into 1 inch pieces.

Once you have julienned the broccolini, add in the nuts, seeds, cranberries and shallots. Toss with the yogurt vinaigrette an hour before serving.

Healthy Salad Ingredients & Substitutions

• Broccolini - Can’t find broccolini? No problem, just use broccoli florets
• Shallot - Red can be used in place of a shallot if desired
• Dried cranberries - Raisins are equally as delicious in this recipe.
• Sunflower seeds - Roasted pepitas are a great alternative
• Pecans - Walnuts are an excellent substitute
• Almonds - Walnuts, pistachios, or cashews are great in this salad too.
• Plain greek yogurt - Regular plain yogurt or mayo can be used in the vinaigrette.
• Honey - Sugar, raw sugar, or coconut sugar can be used. I find maple syrup too overpowering for this vinaigrette.
• Apple cider vinegar - White wine vinegar is a delicious alternative.

How To Make The Best Mayonnaise-Free Broccolini Salad

1. In a small mixing bowl whisk together plain greek yogurt, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Chill dressing in the refrigerator until ready to use.
2. Trim broccolini and finely chop the shallot
3. In a large mixing bowl, add broccolini, shallot, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Keep chilled until ready to serve.
4. An hour before serving broccolini salad toss the salad with the honey yogurt vinaigrette and return to the refrigerator until serving time.

Optional Salad Add-ins

• Bacon
• Shredded or cubed cheddar cheese
• Raisins
• Blueberries

What’s The Difference Between Broccolini & Broccoli?

Broccolini is very similar to broccoli. It's slightly sweeter and milder than broccoli and is crunchy, and tender. The florets are smaller in size, and the stems are longer and thinner than broccoli.

Sometimes broccolini is labeled as baby broccoli in the supermarket, but don’t confuse it with broccoli rabe. 

Broccolini and broccoli can be used pretty interchangeably in most recipes. I think broccolini adds a little something extra to fresh, raw salads. 

To learn more about the healthy benefits of eating raw broccolini here’s a great article from PubMed.

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