Broccoli Salad

The ultimate dairy and gluten-free broccoli salad for any occasion. Your guests will never suspect it's actually good for them!

BROCCOLI SALAD RECIPE HIGHLIGHTS

• Incredibly simple to prepare!

• The dairy-free dressing will quickly become your preferred choice for any dish. It's naturally sweetened and provides a good balance of fat and protein.

• Perfect for preparing in advance, making it suitable for various occasions such as barbecues, potlucks, or weekday lunches.

• Ideal for those who dislike red onions! *However, if you're a fan like me, feel free to include ⅓ cup of red onion in the salad!

• I've been making this for years, and it's always a big hit! #noleftovers

TIME SAVING TIPS BEFORE AN EVENT

• Buy fresh pre-cut broccoli or prepare and wash your broccoli the day before the event.

• Cook bacon for breakfast, setting aside some for breakfast and chopping the rest for the broccoli salad.

• Soak cashews overnight to make the dressing the next day, or boil them for 10 minutes.

• Remember to chill the recipe in the fridge. This allows the broccoli to absorb the dressing, enhancing the flavor of the salad!

Looking for more nutritious and enjoyable crowd-pleasing recipe ideas? Explore: Apple Pecan and Bacon Salad with Caramelized Shallot Vinaigrette Dressing, Hasselback Sweet Potatoes, Prosciutto Wrapped Figs, Roasted Beet Hummus.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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The ultimate dairy and gluten-free broccoli salad for any occasion. Your guests will never suspect it's actually good for them!

Servings: 6 Prep: 15 MIN Cook time: 0 MIN

Ingredients

For the salad

• 2 large broccoli crowns (florets only), finely chopped

• ½ cup bacon, chopped

• 1 ½ cups seedless red grapes, quartered

• ⅓ cup dried cranberries or dried cherries

• ⅓ cup roasted or raw sunflower seeds

• 2 Tbsp lemon juice

• S+P to season

For the dressing

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked

• ¼ cup water

• 2-4 Tbsp pure maple syrup

• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• ½ tsp minced garlic

• 1 tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. For the dressing: Place cashews in a bowl and cover cashews with water and soak for 2 hours or overnight. (if you are short on time, soak them in boiling water for 10 min).

2. Drain cashews and transfer to blender with the rest of the dressing ingredients. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. If dressing is too thick, add 1 Tbsp increments of water until desired creaminess. *2-4 Tbsp syrup is for desired sweetness.

3. For the salad, Place broccoli, grapes, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, bacon bits and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl. Add dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Season with salt and pepper and lemon juice to taste. Serve chilled.

Creating Delicious Food Boards for Any Occasion

As we approach the end of the holiday season, it's the perfect time to indulge in some festive treats. A well-stocked charcuterie or food board is a fantastic way to bring loved ones together. Get inspired with these fantastic food board ideas that are sure to impress at your next event, whether it's a BBQ, retreat, girl’s night or even just a family dinner!

Our recipes and individual ingredients are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free friendly, and include healthy substitutes for traditional packaged products.

Plus, you'll find my favorite serving tools, tips, tricks, and packaged clean food products to help you put together any themed board in no time!

Holiday Sweets Themed Board:

Dairy

1. Brie cheese wheel with your favorite red colored jam (strawberry)

2. Goat cheese log with cranberry cinnamon or blueberry vanilla

Produce

1. Red + green colored fruits like pomegranate arils, strawberries, apples, kiwi, grapes, etc.

Pastries

1. Your favorite go-to gluten-free crackers and thin cookies (Brands: Simple Mills, Mary’s Gone Crackers)

2. Clean store-bought brownie, cookie, and cupcake mix (Brands: Simple Mills)

3. Homemade raspberry almond thumbprint cookies, superfood dark chocolate bark or favorite go-to holiday desserts.

4. Dessert hummus like chocolate hummus

Extras

1. Dark chocolate covered nuts or dried fruits (Brands: SkinnyDipped Almonds, Barnana)

2. Dried fruits like apricots, figs, cherries, or cranberries

3. Mixed roasted nuts

4. Candy canes (Brands: YumEarth Organic)

5. Hot chocolate bar!

Christmas Wreath Themed Board:

Protein

1. Salami, summer sausage, thinly sliced prosciutto, soppressata (Brands: Applegate)

Dairy

1. Marinated mozzarella balls, cheddar, colby, and/or pepper jack cheese cubes / slices (Brands: Organic Valley)

Produce

1. Cocktail pickles, black and green olives, cherry tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts

Carbs

1. Assorted crackers variety (Brands: Simple Mills, Mary’s Gone Crackers)

Garnish

1. Fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary sprigs

Serve with

1. Balsamic glaze

2. Holiday mule cocktails

Directions

1. Gather your antipasto ingredients. Prep any that require chopping, slicing or cubing.

2. Skewer ingredients onto large toothpicks or skewers. Arrange in a wreath shape on a large round platter or serving board. Tuck rosemary, sage and thyme sprigs evenly around wreath and place a small bowl in the center with balsamic glaze.

3. Transfer to refrigerator. When ready to serve, consider adding a touch of variety by lining the outer edge with an assortment of crackers or placing a bowl of them beside the wreath.

Classic Themed Board:

Protein

1. Salami, summer sausage, thinly sliced prosciutto, soppressata, pastrami

Dairy

1. Gouda, gruyere, cheddar, Colby jack, havarti, burrata, gorgonzola, feta, goat cheese

Produce

1. Fresh fruits like grapes, berries, apples, orange slices, kiwi, pomegranate arils

2. Dried fruits like figs, dates, apricots, berries, mango

3. Veggies like mini sweet peppers, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks

Carbs

1. Your favorite crackers, chips, breads and pretzels

Extras

1. Olives, pickles, banana peppers, mixed nuts and seeds

2. Hummus

3. Guacamole

4. Olive tapenade

5. Prosciutto wrapped figs, medjool date snack

6. Dipping sauces like honey, balsamic glaze, jams

Garnish

1. Fresh herbs

Breakfast Themed Board:

Protein

1. Pork and turkey bacon, sausage links or patties, scrambled eggs, egg cups or mini quiches (Brand: Applegate)

Dairy

1. Cream cheese, plain greek yogurt (Brands: Fage, Green Valley)

Produce

1. Fresh fruit like kiwi, berries, pineapple, melon

Carbs

1. Waffles, bagels, toast, granola varieties (Brands: SimpleMills, Young Kobras, Purely Elizabeth)

Serve with

1. Warm maple syrup, nut butter, honey, assorted jams

2. Mimosas or citrus hibiscus sangria

S’mores Themed Board:

Sweets

1. Dark chocolate squares, peanut butter cups, dark chocolate covered almonds/dried fruit (Brands: Hu Kitchen, Justin’s, Enjoy Life)

2. Assorted marshmallows (Brand: No Brainer Max Mallow)

Produce

1. Fresh fruit like cherries, strawberries, blueberries, banana slices

Carbs

1. Graham crackers, cookies, pretzels (Brand: Simple Mills)

Chicken Salad Themed Lunch Bar:

Protein

1. Classic healthy chicken salad

Dairy

1. Cheese slices like gruyere, cheddar, pepper Colby jack

Produce

1. Tomato slices, mini sweet peppers, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, butter lettuce (great gluten-free / low carb version)

Carbs

1. Crackers, breads, pretzels

Garnish

1. Fresh herb like dill

Extras

1. Pickles, olives, variety of hummus flavors

2. Avocado deviled eggs

3. Condiments like mayonnaise, dijon mustard, oil and vinegar

Taco Themed Bar:

Protein

1. Grilled chicken, verde carne asada, ground beef, chicken or turkey, refried beans, black beans (Brand: Siete Foods)

Dairy

1. Sour cream, mexican cheese, cotija, queso fresco, vegan cheese sauce 

Produce

1. Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, fresh salsa, raw white onions

Carbs

1. Hard shell, tortillas, tortilla chips, rice (Brands: Siete Foods)

Garnish

1. Lime wedges, cilantro, assorted hot sauce, pickled or fresh jalapeños,

Extras

1. Pickled onions

2. Salsa verde

3. Guacamole

4. Margarita mocktail/cocktails!

Tips & Tricks

• For a well-rounded charcuterie board, it's essential to choose meats with a range of flavor profiles. This will help complement the freshness of the board's other components. Consider incorporating both spicy and mild meats for an optimal balance. The same applies to choosing hard and soft cheeses with bold signature flavors.

• For your carbs, consider mixing up with different consistencies. ie - crispy thin cracker and thick baguette slices.

• Use fruit, variety of nuts, and fresh herbs to add pops of color and to fill out your board so that there are no spaces.

• Incorporate at least two creative snacks to keep the board fun and interesting. This could look like a homemade snack or a fancy and fun flavor combo cheese log!

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OUR FAVORITE SERVING TOOLS ON AMAZON!