Description
A refreshing and creamy vegan broccoli salad featuring a tangy cashew-based dressing, crunchy almonds, sweet grapes, and dried cranberries. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a healthy side or light lunch and ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 3/4 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- Heaping 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 2 large broccoli crowns (florets only), finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups red grapes, halved
- 1/3 cup roasted salted almonds, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions
- Soak Cashews: Place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak for 2 hours or overnight to soften. If using a high-speed blender or Nutribullet, soak cashews in hot water for 10 minutes instead.
- Make the Dressing: Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a blender along with water, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Salad: In a medium or large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli florets, halved grapes, chopped roasted almonds, diced red onion, and dried cranberries or raisins.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the creamy cashew dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the salad chilled for best flavor.
Notes
- Soaking cashews thoroughly is essential for a smooth, creamy dressing without graininess.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors.
- For a nut-free version, substitute cashew dressing with tahini-based dressing and omit almonds.
- Leftover salad keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days but is best fresh.
- Feel free to add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vegan broccoli salad, dairy-free broccoli salad, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, nutty broccoli salad, raw cashew dressing, easy vegan recipes
