Mediterranean Healthy Broccoli Crunch Salad
This refreshing salad combines crunchy broccoli with Mediterranean ingredients like chickpeas, olives, feta, and a lemon-olive oil dressing. It’s nutrient-dense, colorful, and satisfying—great as a side dish .
Time
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 2 minutes (optional blanching)
Total: 20–22 minutes
Ingredients
Broccoli florets – 4 cups (small bite-sized pieces)
Red bell pepper – 1 medium (diced)
Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup (halved)
Cucumber – 1 medium (diced)
Red onion – ¼ cup (finely chopped)
Chickpeas (cooked/canned) – 1 cup (rinsed & drained)
Kalamata olives – ½ cup (sliced)
Feta cheese – ½ cup (crumbled)
Sunflower seeds or toasted almonds – ¼ cup (for crunch)
Fresh parsley – 3 tbsp (chopped)
For the dressing:
Extra virgin olive oil ⅓ cup
Lemon juice – 3 tbsp (freshly squeezed)
Garlic – 1 clove (minced)
Dijon mustard – 1 tsp (optional, for tang)
Honey (or maple syrup) – 1 tsp
Salt – ½ tsp
Black pepper – ¼ tsp
Dried oregano – ½ tsp
Instructions
1. Prepare broccoli:
For extra crunch, keep it raw.
For a softer bite, blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then place in ice water to keep color and crunch.
2. Mix veggies:
In a large bowl, combine broccoli, bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, chickpeas, olives, parsley, and nuts/seeds.
3. Make dressing:
Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, honey, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Assemble:
Pour dressing over the salad and toss well.
Top with crumbled feta before serving.
️ Serving & Notes
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Works great as a side with grilled chicken, salmon, or pita bread.
Can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Tips
Swap feta with goat cheese for variation.
Add avocado chunks for creaminess.
Use pumpkin seeds instead of sunflower seeds for extra crunch.
❓ Frequently asked questions FAQ
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Yes! Just keep the dressing separate and toss before serving.
Q: Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, completely gluten-free.
Q: Can I make it vegan?
Yes, just skip the feta or use vegan feta.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 280 kcal
Protein: 9 g
Carbs: 22 g
Fat: 18 g
Fiber: 7 g