Gluten Free
Quick Meals
This broccoli salad recipe makes the best detox salad for an easy summer meal! It’s delicious, full of nourishing veggies and fruit. NO MAYO – we use an olive oil yogurt sauce instead. Gluten free, grain free, vegetarian salad with a vegan salad option, too.
What’s a detox salad?
Detox? Why in the world are we talking about a detox salad in the middle of a holiday weekend. I know, I know it’s like sacrilegious to talk like that. But at the same time, don’t you want to have at this broccoli salad? It’s totally acceptable as a potluck side, but also makes for a tasty leftover “detox” salad. Just don’t tell your friends it’s a detox salad as you place it next to the hot dogs, pies, and mom’s macaroni salad. Mmmmm k?
Yeah I know I cringe at the word detox, but in this case we’re talking detox as in detoxing from the oxidative stress. Like say…. an overload of sun, extra cookies (oops), maybe a little too much wine, and do you know anything that might overload the body. Think of this broccoli salad and the perfect RESET SUPERFOOD salad that boosts your digestion, nutrition, etc.
Let’s talk about this whole “detoxify and replenish” thing. You see, this salad is a magical combo that can do just that. Magical superfoods that actually do wonders for your health and taste GOOD! Ahhh BLISS!
And I’m not gonna lie, the past few weeks (on top of holiday weekend) we’ve felt a certain mental and emotional stress. Combine that with Low energy, lack of sleep, weird cravings, anxious, etc. Yes, that happens. Life throws us curves balls I’m very much guilty of trying to fix everything at once, but skipping out on my health. Says the nutritionist… eeek!
But …. WE ARE HUMAN! And thank goodness for the ability to recognize those things, accept them, and then refocus on what matter most. Friends, family, community, and HEALTH!
Health as in immunity boosting probiotics and veggies galore!
Probiotics are microorganisms that can help produce GOOD (beneficial) bacteria and support healthy gut flora! This is what keeps our immune systems and digestive systems going strong. There are several good supplements out there, but most people often forget that REAL food has prebiotics and probiotics too. Cultured food such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and kefir yogurt, grass fed cultured yogurt, and kombucha tea are great examples!
So you see, detoxifying doesn’t sound so bad now, does it? Haha!
So, what’s in this broccoli salad recipe?
Well, beside broccoli…
- Probiotic rich kefir yogurt or cultured yogurt – To replace regular commerical mayo.
- Sunflower seeds – healthy fats to increase vitamin absorption.
- Blueberries – Rich in Antioxidants
- Spinach – Rich in Iron and Vitamin K
- And both raw and roasted broccoli floret – I did a combo of roasted and raw broccoli for flavor and so that the healthy oils in the roasted broccoli would increase nutrient absorption. Raw broccoli also helps the liver to naturally “detoxify.”
- Fresh herbs
- Shallot or Red onion
- Lemon and Red Wine Vinegar for a punch of acidity and Vitamin C!
Okay and I threw some edible flowers into my detox salad because they are just so pretty. Right?
Mayo-Free Broccoli Salad Recipe (Detox Salad)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
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This mayo-free broccoli salad is not only delicious, but packed full of nourishing ingredients! A loaded detox salad with healthy veggies and fruit, tossed in a light and tangy olive oil yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb broccoli florets
- 2 tsp to 3 tsp coconut oil or avocado oil
- Optional 1/2 tsp everything seasoning of choice (dried herbs, red pepper, etc.)
- 1/3 c to 1/2 c cultured plain yogurt or kefir yogurt (see notes for doubling sauce)
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove or 1/2 tsp minced
- Kosher Salt and Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 to 1 tbsp tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 c diced red onion or shallot
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 2 cups spinach leaves
- Fresh Cilantro or Parsley to garnish
- Peppercorns or fresh pepper and optional red pepper flakes.
Instructions
- Optional method – Roast 1/2 lb of broccoli in oil for extra flavor.
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Toss half the broccoli florets (around 2 cups) in 2-3 tsp oil and seasoning of choice. Place on baking sheet and place in oven to roast for 20-25 minutes.
- Place the other 1/2 lbs broccoli florets in a large mixing bowl. If you don’t want to roast half, just toss all raw broccoli florets in a large bowl.
- While broccoli is cooking, make your yogurt sauce (see notes for extra creamy sauce).
For Yogurt Sauce:
- Mix the yogurt, vinegar, garlic, salt/pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, and onion in a small bowl. Set aside.
Broccoli Salad
- Place roasted broccoli and raw broccoli in one bowl. Mix in your blueberries, sunflower seeds, and spinach. Toss all together.
- Next spoon your yogurt sauce over the broccoli and blueberry spinach salad. Toss all together.
- Garnish with extra herbs (Cilantro or Parsley), peppercorn or pepper, and a pinch of red pepper if desired.
Notes
For vegan option, substitute yogurt with non dairy yogurt or hummus.
If you want this salad to be extra creamy, feel free to double the yogurt sauce.
- Category: salad
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 188
- Sugar: 9.6 g
- Sodium: 445.3 mg
- Fat: 10.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.3 g
- Fiber: 5.8 g
- Protein: 7.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0.4 mg
Keywords: broccoli salad
Vegans, don’t you worry, You can always replace that yogurt with creamy coconut milk yogurt or even hummus! Plant power broccoli salad YO!
So there you have it! A creamy broccoli salad recipe that makes for a “detoxifying” light lunch, side dish, or snack. This detox salad is even great to make for a potluck dinner. It’s a “clean eating” twist on the classic heavy broccoli salad. This is one that keeps everyone nourished and satisfied! Capeesh?
Alright, spill it! What’s one crave worthy food you plan on enjoying this Memorial day? And then what’s one “detox” filled dish you plan on making come Tuesday? Balance, right?
Cheers!
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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Everything you’ve posted lately is just to die for! I’m a pretty new follower and can’t get enough of your bright, fresh flavors and photography. Thanks for the delicious recipes my family of 5 is enjoying!
Are* enjoying
Oh I am so glad Tiff! Keep me posted on what you try or if you have questions!
I can’t wait to try this! I don’t like mayo so I’m happy this uses yogurt…and I love the idea of roasting half of the broccoli too! More variety of flavor/texture that way too.
Let me know if you try it Brittany!
What do you recommend to use for a dairy free option?
thanks,
You could try my cashew cream sauce https://www.cottercrunch.com/how-to-make-vegan-cashew-cream-sauce/ , non dairy yogurt, or maybe. Chilled coconut milk/cream.. Keep me posted if you do!
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Giiiiiiirl, I LOVE broccoli salad, but am super anti mayo, so this is PERFECT! I’m loving all the nutritious ingredients and flavors…definitely a winner for all the summer barbecues and picnics!
right? wish we lived closer. WE could bbq all summmmah long! gut health recipes included
I don’t believe in detox diets or cleanses, either! Yes, your body will benefit more from consuming wholesome foods that are rich in micronutrients, but you don’t have to give into the crazy expensive superfoods and meal plans. But anyways, this broccoli salad looks wonderful! Hope you get some well-needed rest after a stressful time period. Your body will thank you!
right?! well said friend!
This salad looks so refreshing….I haven’t eaten enough vegetables lately so this is going to end of week menu!
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Haha I feel ya!
I love that this is not drenched in “dressing.” The ingredients really shine through!
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Totally! Light and flavorful
I made a double batch to eat throughout the week and it is so good. The roasted broccoli is the best part, it’s definitely worth taking the time to do that. Thanks for a great, easy recipe!
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Awesome! so glad Jen! I love it too!
This is great to have in the fridge for lunch!
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What a great way to get all your veggies in one fell swoop!
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Superfoods are my love language and you my dear are the matchmaker! Queen of Bowls and everything delish! Great looking recipe sistah!
You are my super FOODIE friend. Crushin… LOL! See what I did there? p.s PLEASE, let’s coffee time!
This is a superfood beauty!
I always try to bring vegetables to the meal. It is good for health and heart. Diet more than people who lose weight because I really need more vegetables and less protein. but still in good health
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Thank you for sharing valuable information. Nice post. I enjoyed reading this post
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Vegetables are good for my health and my heart so I pay attention to this every day. Thanks for the article!
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So good! So much flavor!
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I had most of the ingredients in the veggie garden, I used coconut yoghurt in my version and it was a winner! Works well with the Aussie barbeque season.
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Oh wonderful! Yes so perfect for that weather. My husband is from New Zealand, he loves this during the holidays too. 🙂
Made this for lunch today. Yum-O!
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