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This Low-Carb Greek Yogurt Broccoli Crunch Salad is deliciously sweet with crunchy broccoli, bacon and more! The perfect warm weather salad that's higher in protein and good for you. It's also Gluten-Free + Low-Calorie!
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Growing up, we always had a summer block party with neighbors and friends. My Mom was in charge of organizing the event, which meant I was recruited to help make ALL THE FOOD. One of those foods was this amazing broccoli salad. It was sooo tasty and good but sadly loaded with mayo and basically, a pound of sugar.
Using this classic broccoli salad as inspiration, I've created a healthier way for you to make this goodie!
Why You Will Love This Broccoli Crunch Salad
- Much Healthier! It's made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo, so it's higher in protein and lower in fat. And instead of adding a pound of white sugar like my family recipe, I added a touch of powdered stevia.
- BACON! It adds the perfect salty crunch that makes a terrific contrast to a crisp, cold salad. Even better, the fat in the bacon also helps absorb the nutrients from the broccoli.
- Summer Salad Perfection! This low-carb broccoli salad is so easy to make and perfect for all your summer entertaining needs. Carry it along with you to potlucks, summer cookouts, holidays, family gatherings, and more.
Looking for more easy salads to serve? Try this Tabbouleh Quinoa Salad or my Low Calorie Bacon Broccoli Cauliflower Salad next.
Ingredients
Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make a bowl of broccoli crunch salad.
- Broccoli: Choose fresh broccoli and buy it close to the time you prepare the salad so it's extra fresh!
- Red Onion: The crunch and crisp flavor of red onion is perfect for salads.
- Sunflower Seeds: Adds more crunch and a bit of protein. You can easily swap them for nuts or pumpkin seeds.
- Bacon: You can cook bacon from scratch or buy pre-cooked bacon pieces to save time. You can also swap the regular bacon for turkey bacon if you prefer.
- Greek Yogurt: Make sure to use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. You can use whole fat, low-fat, or fat-free depending on your preference. The added fat in the full fat yogurt makes it a better swap for mayonnaise.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a bit of acidity to add flavor. You can use other varieties of vinegar if you prefer. Red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, and white vinegar are other options that will work though they have different flavor profiles.
- Stevia: Just a touch to add some sweetness. I prefer the powdered stevia but you can also substitute coconut sugar or the sugar you enjoy.
Variations
- Add cauliflower: Replace half (or all) of the broccoli with cauliflower. Prep the cauliflower the same way you do the broccoli.
- Natural sweetness: Throw in a handful of dried raisins or cranberry for some additional sweetness.
- Vegetarian: Replace it with some diced tempeh, tofu bacon, or other plant-based b bacon option for a similar salty component. You can leave the bacon out but the flavor of the salad will be quite different.
- Paleo or Vegan: You have a few options for substituting the Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or almond yogurt. However, be careful with these though as many of them have a lot of added sugar. There are a few varieties out there that don't have added sugar so read those food labels! You could also do a Whole30 compliant mayo (for Paleo) like Primal Kitchen.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Make the dressing. Add the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar and stevia to a blender and pulse until fully mixed.
Step 2: Assemble salad. Add the broccoli, bacon, and red onions to a large bowl.
Step 3: Add the dressing. Pour the Greek yogurt mixture over the broccoli mixture.
Step 4: Mix it up. Stir to combine evenly among the veggies. Sprinkle the sunflower seeds on top.
Step 5: Let it sit. Store the broccoli salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
This broccoli salad no mayo goes with everything! It's great served up with other salads for a cold meal which is perfect for hot summer days. It also goes well with burgers, grilled meats, and even for your holiday table.
Pair with a tangy crockpot BBQ chicken sandwich or a sriracha chicken burger.
I love this keto broccoli salad on a salad plate with some high-protein egg salad and my healthy Greek pasta salad.
Expert Tips
- Serve the salad well chilled! The longer it sits, the better it is because it's had more time to absorb the flavors from the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar and stevia.
- Make it the night before. Whether you're making the broccoli salad for an event or family dinner, I recommend making it the night before. That way the flavors have plenty of time to mingle.
- Store leftovers. Place the salad in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days. It's not recommended to store this healthy broccoli salad in the freezer.
Recipe FAQs
Sure, if you prefer it! I love this healthy broccoli salad with raw broccoli because it delivers the perfect crunch. If you prefer your broccoli cooked, I'd recommend dropping it in boiling water and cooking for only a couple minutes. Immediately place it in an ice-water bath so it cools quickly and doesn't become mushy.
No, I wouldn't recommend it. When thawed out, frozen broccoli has a much softer texture that doesn't work well for a crunchy broccoli salad.
More Healthy Salad Recipes
If you tried this broccoli salad without mayo or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Broccoli Salad (No Mayo)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups Broccoli chopped
- ⅓ cup Red Onion sliced
- 3 slices Bacon I recommend sugar free
- 2 tablespoons Sunflower Seeds
- ½ cup Greek yogurt you can add more yogurt if you want a to
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Stevia or sugar you prefer
Instructions
- Cook the bacon according to package instructions then cool. Once cool roughly chop it for the salad.
- Add the chopped bacon to a bowl with the broccoli and sliced red onion.
- In a blender, blend the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar and stevia.
- Pour the Greek yogurt mixture over the broccoli mixture. Stir to combine evenly among the veggies. Sprinkle the sunflower seeds on top.
- Store the broccoli salad in the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Serve the salad well chilled! The longer it sits, the better it is because it's had more time to absorb the flavors from the Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar and stevia.
- Make it the night before. Whether you're making the broccoli salad for an event or family dinner, I recommend making it the night before. That way the flavors have plenty of time to mingle.
Nutrition
I was wondering, how much is a serving size?
Hi Ali, 1/6 of the recipe equals a serving.
I liked this salad but I found it to have a dry taste at first with the greek yogurt, I am not used to using yogurt in any of my recipes but I'm attempting to eat smarter... with that being said, I gave it another try the next day and the taste of the yogurt was gone, it was much more satisfying!
Good for you for trying to eat smarter - we all have to start somewhere! And yes, this salad is better after it sits overnight and the flavors mingle.
I wonder how well cooked or roasted broccoli would work?
I used one tbsp of apple cider vinegar as you suggested. It seems a little overpowering. Is that measurement correct ?
Yes, that is the right amount. Some people notice ACV to be more overpowering than others. I've been consuming it regularly for years and it doesn't bother me. It really is individual.
Can you use honey as a sweetener to balance the cider? I haven’t tried this recipe yet, just wondering bc I generally try to use natural ingredients?
The stevia is meant to balance the tart and it has zero calories. You can of course use honey. It will increase the calories though.