Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Salad (Print Version)

Fresh broccoli tossed in creamy garlic-Parmesan dressing with toasted almonds and cherry tomatoes. Light, refreshing, and easy to prepare.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 pound fresh broccoli florets
02 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

→ Dressing

04 - ½ cup mayonnaise
05 - ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
06 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

12 - ⅓ cup toasted slivered almonds or sunflower seeds
13 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 1-2 minutes until bright green and just tender.
02 - Drain broccoli immediately and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
04 - In a large bowl, combine blanched broccoli, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Pour the dressing over and toss to coat evenly.
05 - Sprinkle with toasted almonds or sunflower seeds and extra Parmesan. Garnish with chopped parsley.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The blanching step keeps the broccoli bright green and crisp without any raw bitterness.
  • Creamy dressing with sharp Parmesan and garlic makes vegetables feel indulgent instead of virtuous.
  • It holds up in the fridge for days and actually tastes better after the flavors meld overnight.
02 -
  • Don't skip the ice bath after blanching or the broccoli will keep cooking and turn mushy and drab.
  • Pat the broccoli completely dry before adding the dressing, any water left clinging to the florets will dilute the creamy coating.
  • Taste the dressing before tossing because raw garlic can vary wildly in strength and you might need to dial it back.
03 -
  • Use a salad spinner to dry the blanched broccoli quickly and thoroughly so the dressing sticks properly.
  • Grate extra Parmesan and keep it on the table so guests can add more if they want, everyone's cheese tolerance is different.
  • If the dressing feels too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of water or extra lemon juice to loosen it up without losing flavor.
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