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Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad Recipe

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3.8 from 31 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad featuring crisp broccoli florets, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy almonds and sunflower seeds, all tossed in a creamy, tangy lemon poppy seed dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish ready in just 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 6 cups coarsely chopped broccoli (stems removed and finely chopped)
  • 3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup shelled, roasted, and salted sunflower seeds
  • Feta cheese, to taste (optional)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Zest from 1 lemon (about 2 teaspoons lemon zest)
  • 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Broccoli: Remove the stems from the broccoli and finely chop them into small pieces. Additionally, coarsely chop the broccoli florets to make up 6 cups total of chopped broccoli.
  2. Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, dried sweetened cranberries, sliced almonds, shelled roasted sunflower seeds, and feta cheese if using.
  3. Make Dressing: Zest one lemon to yield about 2 teaspoons of lemon zest. In a small blender, add the lemon zest along with mayonnaise, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend until the dressing is smooth. Then stir in the poppy seeds by hand to evenly distribute them throughout the dressing.
  4. Dress Salad: Pour the prepared lemon poppy seed dressing over the assembled salad ingredients. Toss everything well to coat the salad thoroughly. Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, toss the salad again and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or pepper as needed, especially if the flavors seem mild.

Notes

  • For the best texture, make sure to finely chop the broccoli stems separately from the florets.
  • Adjust sugar in the dressing depending on your preference for sweetness.
  • Feta cheese is optional but adds a nice tangy contrast to the salad.
  • This salad can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated, making it a great make-ahead dish.
  • If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the mayonnaise and cream with vegan alternatives and use a dairy-free milk.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/lemon-poppy-seed-broccoli-salad-recipe/