Raw Broccoli Salad with Red Onion, Olives and Almonds

A healthy, mayo-less raw broccoli salad that’s as easy to make as throwing a bunch of stuff in a bowl (literally).

I’ve had “raw broccoli salad” written on my recipe brainstorm Google doc for many months (years?). I’ve eaten raw broccoli before, obviously – usually as part of that generic veggie platter that encircles a tub of ranch dip at parties – but had a hard time imagining it as a functional base for a salad. I just assumed it would taste raw/chalky and be too crunchy to actually enjoy.

Then I saw this Ali Slagle recipe on NYT Cooking and got very intrigued. I wrote up my own version (veganized, of course) – using the ingredients I already had in my fridge – and took it for a spin. The TL;DR version: I ate half of the giant bowl in one go, while still standing at the kitchen counter. I was very wrong about raw broccoli. This salad was good.

Why You Should Try This Raw Broccoli Salad

This healthy broccoli salad recipe is very easy to make – you literally just toss everything in a bowl. It also requires zero cooking (unless you count toasting your own almonds). After hanging out with oil and vinegar for a few minutes, the broccoli softens just enough so that it no longer tastes raw.

Calamata olives add briny hits of saltiness, while red onion and a splash of maple syrup balance things out with a hint of sweetness. The crunchy texture and variety of contrasting flavors make it super satisfying to eat. Another perk: unlike many other broccoli salads, this one’s without mayo – so you can leave it out for several hours at a bbq/picnic and not have to worry.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Broccoli: Don’t toss the stalk! Slice off and discard the fibrous outer layer, chop up the rest of the stalk, and add it to the salad.
• Red Onion: A shallot will work, too.
• Olives: For the freshest olives, look for them in the cold buffet or refrigerated section of your supermarket. Avoid the canned variety if possible.
• Almonds: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios are all good subs. If you have a nut allergy, use roasted sunflower seeds instead.
• Mustard: Dijon is best, but you can use brown or whole grain mustard here too.
• Maple Syrup: Honey works too.

Vegan Broccoli Salad Step-by-Step

Soak the Onions: Thinly slice the onion, place it in a bowl, and cover with cold water. Set aside while you chop up the other ingredients. (Soaking raw onion reduces its spiciness while keeping it crunchy.)

Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, olives, almonds, parsley, and the drained soaked onions.

Make the Dressing: Grate, crush, or finely mince a garlic clove, and place in a small bowl. Add balsamic, olive oil, mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine.

Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Set aside for 10 minutes [to marinate the broccoli] before serving. But if you’re in a rush, go ahead and eat it right away.

Making Raw Broccoli Salad in Advance

This healthy salad is best eaten the same day as it’s made, and you can make it up to several hours in advance for parties, potlucks, etc. It’s also still pretty delicious on day 2. While it won’t go bad after that, just know that the onions and almonds will lose their crunch.

More vegetables this way…

• Cast Iron Skillet Charred Broccoli
• Smoky Creamed Corn
• Vegetarian Collard Greens
• Potato Salad with Olives and Green Beans

Let me know if you try this recipe! Give it a rating below and leave a comment, and don’t forget to tag @thenewbaguette on Instagram with your creation.

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