Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does broccoli salad contain? ›

Typically, broccoli salads also contain things like bacon, red onions, nuts (like almonds), seeds (like sunflower seeds), dried fruit (like raisins or dried cranberries), and cheese (usually Cheddar). You can pick and choose which ingredients you want to add.

The short cooking time brings out the natural colors in the fruit or vegetable before they can turn a displeasing color (because no one wants to eat ugly broccoli!). By stopping the cooking process, the color-changing enzymes are deactivated and the vegetable maintains its vibrant color.

Extra water on the broccoli can make for a runny mixture. The same goes for rinsing your broccoli! Make sure you give your broccoli adequate time to dry after rinsing. You get enough moisture from the dressing mixture that any extra water will make your salad too watery.

Toss the florets with lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard for a zesty flavor. In a bowl mix together 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil, and the juice from half of a lemon. Add in the florets from 1 medium head of broccoli, and toss everything together.

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins C, K, and A. It also contains several important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and iron. Broccoli contains several antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, β-carotene, and various flavonoids [12,13].

Is blanching broccoli necessary? Blanching broccoli helps maintain the bright green color, texture, and flavor. If you're serving the broccoli right away, blanching will tenderize it while keeping it crisp. Blanching is also necessary for freezing to retain the color, texture, and flavor.

Recipe Instructions

Photo #1: Bring 4 quarts of water and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water too and set to the side. Put the broccoli florets in the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until you have tender florets.

To boil, place in a pan of boiling water and cook the florets for 6-8 minutes. To steam, place in a steamer over boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli to be stir-fried should be separated into bite-sized florets, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and add the florets, cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

How Long Does Broccoli Last? Both raw and cooked broccoli will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. Blanched broccoli will last between 10 and 12 months in the freezer.

How do you make broccoli not mushy? ›

Over-cooking broccoli can result in a tasteless mush. A quick saute with garlic and a splash of water, that is enough to not only cook this under-appreciated vegetable but also retain all it's flavour and nutrition.

Garlic and butter help make broccoli taste irresistible. Simply sautee the broccoli in a pan with just a little butter, some onions and grated garlic and voila! Add a drizzle of lemon if desired.

Appearance: Fresh broccoli should be uniformly bright green. If there are yellow or brown spots, it's a sign that it's past its prime. If you see any mold, such as white or black fuzzy patches, it's definitely spoiled. Smell: If the broccoli has a strong odor or an off smell, throw it out.

Immediatley before cooking, soak your broccoli, head down, in cold, salted water (1 tsp salt to 8 cups water) for 5 minutes. Any critters will float to the top where you can rescue them or allow them to suffer a salty death. (NOTE: If you soak in salt water and then store it, it will become rubbery and wilted.

These vegetables are known for their beneficial health effects. Broccoli is high in many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and potassium. This green veggie can be enjoyed both raw and cooked, but recent research shows that gentle steaming provides the most health benefits ( 2 , 3 ).

Our recipe calls for mixing thinly sliced broccoli stems with crispy celery and juicy apple, then tossing them all with a simple yet bright mayonnaise-based dressing. As with most slaws, the flavors will meld together as it sits in the refrigerator, so feel free to prepare this dish ahead of your meal.

Jegtvig said that broccoli is considered to be a superfood because it is packed with nutrients that are essential for good health. “It is a great source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and folate. It also contains phytonutrients, such as sulforaphane, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties,” she explained.