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This crunchy Tahini Broccoli Salad is a lightened up version of the classic broccoli grape salad. It’s made with no mayo and is totally oil-free. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and backyard BBQs. Ready in just 20 minutes!
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Fresh, raw, crunchy, creamy, tangy, with a little hint of sweetness, this salad is everything your backyard summer BBQ needs! All of the ingredients stand up well to the dressing. It won’t get mushy or wilted. It actually gets better as it sits, so make it in advance for optimal flavor and ease!
Ingredients you need
Salad ingredient notes and substitutions
- Broccoli ~ I like to keep the broccoli raw for optimal crunch, but if you prefer, you could lightly steam it. I would suggest steaming the broccoli for just a few minutes and then getting it straight into an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve the bright green color.
- Grapes ~ They bring a juicy sweetness to this salad.
If you don’t love (or don’t have) red grapes, try green grapes, diced apples, fresh berries, or orange segments like in my Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli Salad. - Sunflower seeds ~ Seeds bring a great crunch and nutty flavor to this recipe. For convenience, I just throw them in raw. You could toast them, if preferred. Simply add to a hot dry skillet in one single layer over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, or pine nuts could all be used instead…either toasted or raw. - Extras – As an added flavor boost and additional layer of texture, feel free to add some dried fruit, like cranberries, cherries, apricots, or raisins (brown or golden) which are often found in traditional broccoli grape salad.
Feel free to add in some extra veggies if you like. Diced celery, shredded carrots, or sliced green onions would all be great additions. Just be sure to adjust the amount of dressing used if you add in extra ingredients. - Dressing ~ Traditional broccoli salads are made with a mayo-based dressing. While those are seriously yummy, I wanted something a little different here. My Citrus Tahini Dressing works perfectly. It’s creamy and flavorful with a big hit of fresh orange which pairs so well with the ingredients in this dish.
That being said, if you don’t like or want tahini, you can use an equal amount of homemade vegan mayo (or store-bought – Vegenaise or Just Mayo are both great) or unsweetened plain dairy-free yogurt instead, along with the remaining dressing ingredients. You could also swap out fresh lemon juice for the orange if you like.
How to make the recipe
Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements and instructions.
Since there is no cooking involved with this broccoli salad, it really couldn’t be easier to make!
- Step 1: Chop the broccoli and cucumber into bite size pieces, halve the grapes, slice the red onion, and chop the fresh parsley. Add all to a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Whisk up the tahiin dressing in a small bowl or mason jar. Pour the dressing over the salad.
- Step 3: Add the sunflower seeds and toss everything to combine. Cover and stick it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to let the flavors mingle.
Pro tips for success
~ Chop the broccoli florets into small bite size pieces. This will make the salad easier to eat and allow the dressing to cover more of the broccoli.
~ Don’t forget to chop the broccoli stems, too!
~ Be sure to use seedless grapes!
~ Let the salad sit for a few hours or even over-night in a covered container in the fridge before serving. This allows the flavors to mingle and will create a more balanced flavor profile.
~ As always, taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking before serving! Add an extra pinch of salt, fresh cracked black pepper, or a squeeze of fresh orange, if needed.
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Healthy Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli
- 2 cups red seedless grapes halved
- 1 cup chopped seedless cucumber
- ½ of a red onion sliced thin
- ¼ cup raw shelled sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
- 1 recipe Citrus Tahini Dressing
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli florets into small bite size pieces. Chop off the bottom 2 inches of stalk and throw way. Slice the remaining stalk into thin strips, then chop crosswise into bite size pieces. You need about 6 heaping cups.
- Toss the chopped broccoli and stems into a large bowl. Add the halved grapes, chopped cucumber, sliced red onions, sunflower seeds, and fresh parsley.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well to combine.
- Store covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Chris
Hi Jenn! I would for sure give this salad a 5 star rating! Super delicious and so healthy! I have been making the Tahini citrus dressing for a while now and love that too, so this was for sure a win win! Hubby loved it too.
Cheers,
Chris
Jenn Sebestyen
Hi, Chris! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you love the salad! As always, thank you for your review. I appreciate it so much!