Marinated Broccoli Salad
Marinated Broccoli Salad is bold, crunchy, and delicious! Tossed in a zesty red wine vinaigrette and loaded with crisp broccoli and thinly sliced red onions. It’s a no-mayo alternative to the creamy broccoli salads you usually see at potlucks. The best part about this salad is that it gets better the longer it sits, which makes it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead dinners.
Why you will love this broccoli salad
- No mayo – Just a zippy red wine vinaigrette for fresh, bright flavor.
- Crunchy and satisfying – Broccoli holds its texture without getting soggy.
- Simple ingredients – Nothing fancy, just pantry staples and fresh vegetablesIt’s easy and customizable.
Here’s what you will need
Ingredient list
- Broccoli
- Red Onion
- Italian Vinaigrette (olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, oregano)
- Parmesan Cheese
How to make marinated broccoli salad
Prepare the ingredients: Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and dice the onions. Mix the dressing ingredients in a small jar or bowl.
STEP 1: Place the prepared vegetables into a glass bowl.
STEP 2: Pour the dressing over the top of the vegetables in the bowl, and stir to combine the ingredients.
Tips for making the best broccoli salad
- Slice the onions thin and soak in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad to mellow out their bite.
- Because the broccoli is raw, be sure to cut it into small, bite-sized pieces to make it easier to chew and more enjoyable to eat.
- For more tender broccoli, add the broccoli to boiling water for a few minutes then rinse in ice cold water before chopping it.
- Allow at least 2 hours for marinating, and the longer the better!
How to store marinated broccoli salad
Once the salad is assembled, let it marinate in the fridge for a few hours before serving, and it will keep well for up to 5 days.
Serving suggestions
Serve this salad with your favorite grilled meat for a quick and simple dinner or add it to a bowl like this chicken pesto bowl.
🌟If you love broccoli, try this Costco Copycat Broccoli Salad!
Recipe variations
Cheese – Swap out parmesan cheese with mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, blue cheese, or any cheese of your choice.
Dressing – Swap the Italian dressing with your favorite dressing such as maple balsamic dressing or honey orange dressing.
Vegetables – Add more veggies to this salad such as chopped cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers or cherry tomatoes.
Bacon – Add up to a quarter cup of crumbled bacon bits to the salad just before serving for a smoky flavor.
Beans – These are a nice addition and add a little bit of protein to the salad. I like white beans or chick peas, but kidney beans and black beans will work too.
Spicy – Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeno for a spicy kick.
Recipe FAQs
It’s best to use fresh broccoli for this salad. Frozen broccoli will have a softer texture and may not hold up well in the marinade.
Blanching is optional. The marinade itself will soften the broccoli a bit, but if you prefer a more tender texture, you can blanch the broccoli for a minute or two before marinating.
Yes! This salad tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated.
Marinated Broccoli Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups Broccoli Florets
- 1/2 cup Onion chopped or sliced
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Italian Salad Dressing
Instructions
- Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, and dice the onions. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or jar.
- Place the prepared vegetables into a glass bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and stir the salad to combine the ingredients.
