Zesty Roasted Broccoli Salad Recipe: Fresh Garden Delight

Broccoli takes center stage in this crispy roasted broccoli salad recipe that delivers a surprisingly delightful crunch.

Vibrant green florets emerge golden and caramelized after a high-heat roasting session.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of textures and bold flavors.

Toasted nuts and a zesty dressing complement the roasted broccoli’s natural richness.

The salad brings together simple ingredients that create an extraordinary side dish or light meal.

Salty, nutty, and slightly charred elements dance across your palate with every forkful.

You’ll want to add this recipe to your weekly rotation for a nutritious and exciting vegetable experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 9

What’s Needed For Roasted Broccoli Salad

• Broccoli Florets: Fresh green powerhouse loaded with nutrients, seek crisp and vibrant heads with tight, dark green clusters.
• Olive Oil: Silky lubricant ensuring perfect golden-brown roasting, choose extra virgin for rich flavor profile.
• Salt: Flavor enhancer bringing out natural broccoli sweetness, opt for sea salt or kosher salt for clean taste.
• Black Pepper: Zesty spice adding subtle warmth, freshly ground provides maximum aromatic punch.

• Red Onion: Sharp, tangy ingredient adding bright crunch, select firm bulbs with deep purple skin.
• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart jewels providing delightful texture contrast, look for plump, glossy berries.
• Sliced Almonds: Nutty crunch generator delivering protein and richness, choose raw or lightly toasted varieties.
• Fresh Herbs: Aromatic green lifters bringing garden-fresh complexity, select crisp, vibrant leaves.

• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element balancing richness, squeeze fresh for maximum zestiness.
• Vinegar: Tangy liquid deepening flavor complexity, choose white wine or apple cider varieties.
• Dijon Mustard: Robust spicy binder creating smooth emulsion, select traditional French-style.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweet counterpoint smoothing sharp edges, opt for pure grade.
• Optional Cheese: Creamy finishing touch adding luxurious depth, crumbled feta or goat cheese work beautifully.

Kitchen Items For Roasted Broccoli Salad

• Baking sheet: Essential for roasting broccoli evenly and creating crispy edges.
• Small bowl or jar: Perfect for mixing and whisking dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining salad ingredients and tossing with dressing.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending dressing ingredients until well combined.
• Sharp knife: Useful for chopping herbs and cutting broccoli into florets.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.

How To Put Together Roasted Broccoli Salad

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a sizzling 425F. Get ready to transform those broccoli florets into crispy, golden delights.

• Transform Broccoli

Toss broccoli with a splash of olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet like sunbathers, ensuring maximum crispiness. Roast until edges turn deep golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

• Whip Up the Magic Sauce

In a small container, blend olive oil, zesty lemon juice, a touch of vinegar, tangy Dijon mustard, sweet maple syrup, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake or whisk until it becomes a smooth, irresistible dressing.

• Create Your Flavor Explosion

Combine the roasted broccoli with crunchy red onion, sweet cranberries, toasted almonds, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Drizzle the dressing over the top and gently toss everything together.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate your masterpiece warm or at room temperature. For extra indulgence, shower with your favorite cheese. Dig in and savor the incredible blend of textures and flavors!

Tips To Try For Roasted Broccoli Salad

• Crispy Broccoli Secret: Pat broccoli completely dry before roasting to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent steaming instead of caramelizing.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs to transform this side dish into a complete meal with extra protein.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare roasted broccoli and dressing separately up to two days in advance, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for quick assembly.
• Vegan-Friendly Twist: Replace cheese with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version that still delivers a rich, cheesy flavor profile.
• Nut-Free Option: Swap almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies while maintaining a delightful crunch.

Ideas For Serving Roasted Broccoli Salad

• Green Goddess Plating: Create a stunning visual feast by arranging roasted broccoli on a sleek white plate, letting the crispy edges and vibrant green color pop against the background.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform this salad into a hearty meal by adding grilled chicken, quinoa, or tofu for a protein-packed lunch that keeps you satisfied and energized throughout the day.
• Picnic Perfect Prep: Pack the roasted broccoli salad in mason jars for an easy grab-and-go lunch, keeping dressing separate until ready to eat to maintain the perfect crunch and texture.
• Weekend Brunch Companion: Serve alongside frittatas, quiches, or as a fresh side dish for weekend brunch, adding a nutritious and colorful element to your morning spread.

Store Roasted Broccoli Salad With Ease

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store roasted broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep dressing separate to maintain crisp textures and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Ingredient Separation Trick: Store nuts and cranberries in a small sealed bag inside the main container to preserve their crunchiness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Revive and Refresh Method: Gently warm salad at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore flavors and soften slightly chilled ingredients. Quickly re-toss with a splash of fresh dressing to boost taste.
• Advance Preparation Hack: Roast broccoli, chop ingredients, and prepare dressing separately up to 2 days before assembling. This saves time and allows flavors to develop more deeply in the refrigerator.

Crispy Roasted Broccoli Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean roasted broccoli salad blends crisp florets with zesty Mediterranean flavors. Herb-infused olive oil and tangy feta create a fresh, wholesome dish you’ll crave repeatedly.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) broccoli florets (about 2 medium heads)
• ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped toasted almonds or sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley or mint
• ¼ cup crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 425F (220C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating an ideal roasting environment for caramelizing broccoli florets.
2. Roasting Technique: Toss broccoli with olive oil and seasonings, then spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring maximum surface contact for even browning and crisp edges.
3. Flavor Development: Roast broccoli until edges turn golden-brown and slightly charred, rotating the pan midway through cooking to achieve uniform caramelization and enhance depth of flavor.
4. Dressing Creation: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup in a small bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy emulsion that will complement the roasted vegetables.
5. Salad Assembly: Combine roasted broccoli with red onion, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and fresh herbs in a large mixing bowl, creating a harmonious blend of textures and complementary flavors.
6. Final Touches: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, gently tossing to ensure even coating, and optionally sprinkle with crumbled cheese for an additional layer of richness.
7. Serving Recommendation: Present the salad warm or at room temperature, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a complex, nuanced flavor profile that highlights the roasted broccoli’s caramelized essence.

Notes

• Maximize Roasting Technique: Spread broccoli florets with ample spacing to prevent steaming, ensuring each piece develops a crispy, caramelized exterior with beautiful golden-brown edges.
• Customize Dressing Intensity: Adjust the dressing’s tanginess by incrementally adding lemon juice or vinegar, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect balance that complements the roasted broccoli’s natural sweetness.
• Enhance Textural Contrast: Toast nuts separately and add them just before serving to maintain their crunch, preventing moisture from softening their delightful crisp texture.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan version, or replace almonds with sunflower seeds for nut-free diets while maintaining the salad’s complex flavor profile and satisfying crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg