If you’re searching for a dish that’s vibrant, nutritious, and genuinely crave-worthy, this Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing absolutely checks every box. Perfect for potlucks, weekday lunches, or even a show-stopping side at your next dinner party, it’s a celebration of wholesome crunch, sweet pops of flavor, and an effortlessly silky dressing that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. The marriage of crisp broccoli, toasty nuts, sweet cranberries, and that luscious almond dressing makes this salad not just healthy, but completely irresistible. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s become a staple in my kitchen and soon, I hope, yours too!

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing brings its own charm, from bursts of color to pops of flavor and texture. Even better, the ingredient list is both simple and approachable, just the way we like it.

Broccoli florets: The crunchy, bright green star of the salad—be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for maximum flavor and easy eating.
Shredded carrots: They add beautiful color and subtle sweetness, plus that extra veggie goodness.
Thinly sliced red onion: For just the right punch of flavor and a pop of purple.
Dried cranberries: These gems add a delightful chewy-sweet contrast to all the crunch.
Sliced almonds, toasted: Toasting the almonds brings out their nutty aroma and gives the salad irresistible crunch.
Sunflower seeds: For an extra layer of nuttiness and texture—from the first bite to the last.
Plain Greek yogurt: Creates a tangy, protein-rich base for that dreamy creamy almond dressing.
Almond butter: Infuses the dressing with richness and a subtle, nutty depth.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds the perfect hit of brightness to balance the creamy elements.
Honey or maple syrup: Just a touch brings all the flavors together with natural sweetness.
Fresh lemon juice: For sparkle and freshness in every bite.
Garlic clove, minced: Infuses the dressing with aromatic zing.
Water (as needed): Thins out the dressing so it coats the salad beautifully—add slowly to reach your desired consistency.
Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to tie all the flavors into harmony!

How to Make Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing

Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Add-Ins

Start by chopping the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Shred your carrots if you haven’t already, and thinly slice that red onion for some sharp, colorful flair. Once these are ready, combine the broccoli, carrots, red onion, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds in a spacious mixing bowl. The more room, the easier it is to toss everything later!

Step 2: Whisk Up the Creamy Almond Dressing

In a separate small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the Greek yogurt, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), lemon juice, and the minced garlic. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper for balance. Drizzle in water a little at a time, whisking steadily, until the dressing turns smooth and pourable. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon as you like—it’s all about making the flavors sing.

Step 3: Combine and Toss

Pour the creamy almond dressing over your waiting bowl of crunchy veggies and mix-ins. Don’t be shy! Toss everything until each morsel is sparkling with the dressing. This ensures every bite captures that perfect blend of fresh, nutty, sweet, and creamy.

Step 4: Chill to Let Flavors Meld

Pop your salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—this is when the Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing truly comes alive. The veggies absorb the tangy-sweet dressing, the dried fruit plumps up a bit, and all the flavors come together in a glorious medley. If you can resist sneaking a forkful early, you’ll be rewarded!

Step 5: Final Toss and Season

Before serving, give the salad one more lively toss to ensure all that creamy almond dressing is distributed. Taste again and add a last sprinkle of salt or a squeeze of lemon if you want an extra kick. Now it’s ready to dazzle your table!

How to Serve Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing

Garnishes

Jazz up your salad just before serving with an extra scattering of toasted sliced almonds and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds right on top. If you want it to look picture-perfect, add a handful of fresh herbs, like chopped parsley or a few snipped chives, for color and freshness.

Side Dishes

This Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing shines alongside so many dishes—think grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or as a bright companion to a burger night. It also pairs beautifully with vegetarian mains, like a hearty grain bowl or a simple quiche for brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For casual parties, serve in a big, eye-catching bowl to show off all those colors. For something more upscale, portion the salad into individual glasses or small mason jars—guests will love grabbing their ready-made servings. Another fun idea: create a build-your-own salad bar with all the ingredients and that irresistible creamy almond dressing on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors continue to mingle, making it even tastier the next day—just give it a quick toss before digging in!

Freezing

While you can freeze the creamy almond dressing separately if needed, the fresh veggies in this salad don’t hold up well once frozen and thawed. The texture won’t be the same, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or from the fridge.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat! If you’d like a slightly warmer salad, let it sit out of the fridge for a few minutes before serving, but avoid microwaving to maintain its crispness.

FAQs

Can I make the Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing vegan?

Absolutely! Simply swap the Greek yogurt for a plant-based alternative, and opt for maple syrup instead of honey. The flavors will still sing, and vegan friends will be thrilled.

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

For best texture and crunch, fresh broccoli is really the way to go in this salad. Frozen broccoli tends to get watery and soft, which can lead to a less satisfying salad experience.

What’s the best way to toast sliced almonds?

Just scatter the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until they’re golden and fragrant—about 2 to 3 minutes. Watch closely, as they can go from perfect to burnt quickly!

Is there a way to make the Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing nut-free?

Yes! You can replace the almond butter with sunflower seed butter and use pumpkin or extra sunflower seeds instead of the sliced almonds. The dressing and salad will still be delicious and creamy.

Can I add protein to make this salad a main course?

Definitely. Toss in some cooked, crumbled bacon, grilled chicken, or even chickpeas for a heartier version. The salad is super flexible and adapts beautifully to whatever extras you love.

Final Thoughts

If you crave a salad that delivers bold flavors, unbeatable texture, and pure joy in every bite, you’ve absolutely got to try Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing. It’s a personal favorite that’s sure to win over even the biggest salad skeptics. I can’t wait for you to make it your new go-to dish!

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

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Description

This Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing is a delightful and nutritious dish that combines fresh broccoli, crunchy almonds, sweet cranberries, and a creamy almond dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Creamy Almond Dressing:

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons almond butter
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons water (as needed to thin)
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets, shredded carrots, red onion, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and sunflower seeds.
Make Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, almond butter, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add water gradually to achieve desired consistency.
Combine: Pour the creamy almond dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Final Touch: Adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.