I love a good pasta salad side dish, but sometimes you just need something that is refreshing and not as heavy as the carbs that are added with all those noodles. (I know, crazy, but it’s true.) This chopped broccoli salad is the answer!
We are trying to eat more veggies in our household, and while there are some that we absolutely love (like asparagus and carrots), there are some that need a little help, in my opinion! Broccoli is so darn nutritious, with all those nutrients, vitamins, and a ton of dietary fiber. And so I wanted to feature it in this salad, but I wanted to pair it with some refreshing ingredients that would allow the broccoli to stand out as a super simple yet tasty side dish. I think this is the perfect dish to pair with any of your grilling adventures this summer, especially chicken and beef!
Here I paired the broccoli with juicy red grapes for some color contrast but also some crispness. Red onion also provides some crunch, and the whole thing is tied together with a creamy poppy seed dressing. Have I mentioned how much I love to add poppy seeds to my creamy dressings? They are such a fun and easy way to add texture and a nutty flavor to a salad dressing.
Now it’s your turn: what is your favorite simple side dish for summer cookouts? Share with me by commenting below – I am always looking for new recommendations! Be sure to join the email list below so you won’t miss a single recipe!
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- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
- ½ tsp. ground mustard
- 2 tsp. poppy seeds
- ¼ tsp. Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ½ lb. broccoli (florets only) finely chopped
- ⅔ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- ¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- To a small bowl, add mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, ground mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined. Season with extra salt and pepper if desired.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, red onion, red grapes, and walnuts. Add about half the dressing and toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired. Enjoy!
Looking for more simple salad recipes? Check out these:
Sarah is a food blogger from Metro Detroit who believes that gourmet food should be accessible to all home cooks. 
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