If you’re on the hunt for a fresh, crunchy salad that’s both nourishing and bursting with flavor, you’re going to adore this Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe. It’s a vibrant mix of crisp broccoli, sweet cranberries, and tangy feta tossed in a light Greek yogurt dressing—perfect for when you want something awesome without the usual bacon bits. I absolutely love how this salad manages to be both creamy and refreshing, making it a go-to for potlucks or quick weeknight sides. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthy and Light: Using Greek yogurt instead of heavy mayo keeps it creamy but fresh.
Crunchy & Sweet Combo: The sunflower seeds and dried cranberries add texture and a perfect hint of sweetness.
Bacon-Free & Vegetarian: A great option if you’re avoiding bacon but still want a salad packed with flavor.
Super Versatile: Great as a side, a potluck hit, or even a light lunch on its own.

A white bowl filled with a broccoli salad showing three main layers: the base layer is fresh green broccoli florets with a rough bumpy texture, scattered throughout are chunks of white creamy cottage cheese, and bright pink pieces of chopped red onion layered on top. There are also dark red dried cranberries and light brown sunflower seeds mixed evenly into the salad. The salad is lightly coated with a white creamy dressing. A silver fork is partially stuck in the salad on the left side of the bowl. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with small scattered sunflower seeds around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe plays a role in building bright, layered flavors and satisfying textures. Here’s what I pick up from the store, along with a few tips to make sure you get the best results.

Broccoli florets: Fresh, firm broccoli works best here—buy a large broccoli bunch and chop it yourself for the best crunch and flavor.
Red onion: I love using finely diced red onion for a milder bite; soak it briefly in cold water if you want to dial back the sharpness.
Sunflower seeds (unsalted): These add a delightful crunch without overpowering the salad—go unsalted to keep the sodium in check.
Dried cranberries: Sweet and tart, they bring a pop of color and an irresistible chewiness.
Feta cheese (crumbled): Adds a creamy, tangy kick—feel free to adjust the amount to your taste.
Plain 0% Greek yogurt: This is the star of the dressing, giving it creaminess with way less fat than mayo alone.
Mayonnaise: Just a touch to enhance richness without weighing the salad down.
Honey: Balances out the tanginess with gentle sweetness—don’t skip it!
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens everything up beautifully.
Salt and pepper: Essential for rounding out all the flavors perfectly.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Over time, I’ve tried a few tweaks that you might also enjoy, depending on what’s in your pantry and your personal taste.

Add nuts or seeds: I sometimes swap sunflower seeds with toasted almonds or pumpkin seeds for a different crunch and flavor.
Switch the cheese: If you prefer, goat cheese or even a mild shredded mozzarella works well in place of feta.
Swap the sweetener: Maple syrup or agave nectar can replace honey for a vegan-friendly spin.
Extra veggies: I once added some finely diced red bell pepper and shredded carrot for more color and nutrients—it was a keeper!

How to Make Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Fresh Ingredients

Start by chopping your broccoli into bite-sized florets. I like them firm and fresh, so don’t overdo it—about the size of a walnut works perfectly. Dice the red onion as finely as possible; if you find raw onions too harsh, soak the diced pieces in cold water for about 10 minutes, then drain well before adding. Having everything prepped and ready makes assembly a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Salad Ingredients

Toss your broccoli, onion, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese together in a large mixing bowl. This helps to evenly distribute all those flavors and textures so every bite has a bit of everything. I always give it a gentle but thorough toss so the cranberries don’t all sink to one side—makes it prettier and tastier.

Step 3: Whip Up the Dressing

In a smaller bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir it until it’s smooth and velvety. I like to taste the dressing on its own at this point—in case it needs a touch more honey or lemon juice to hit that perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and sweet. This dressing is what really makes the salad feel indulgent without the guilt.

Step 4: Combine and Chill

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat the broccoli mixture evenly. Cover your bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I promise, this resting time is key—the flavors meld beautifully, and the broccoli gets just a touch tender without losing that delightful crunch.

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Pro Tips for Making Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe

Cut broccoli uniformly: Keeping your florets similar in size helps them cook and marinate evenly, preserving that perfect crunch.
Let it rest: Refrigerating the salad for at least 2 hours allows the flavors to truly blend together—don’t skip this step!
Adjust sweetness gradually: Taste your dressing before mixing and add honey little by little; sometimes dried cranberries already bring enough sweetness.
Drain onion well: If soaked, make sure to dry your onions properly so they don’t water down your salad.

How to Serve Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe

A close-up view of a silver spoon holding a mix of broccoli florets, small light brown nut pieces, and tiny bits of red onion coated with a creamy white dressing, all in front of a blurred white bowl filled with the same broccoli salad. The broccoli is bright green with a slightly rough texture, the nuts add a chewy, irregular shape, and the red onions provide small pops of color. The creamy dressing looks smooth and lightly coats all the ingredients. The background and surface have a white marbled texture, and the scene is softly lit to show freshness. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like topping mine with a few extra sunflower seeds and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper just before serving—it keeps the salad looking fresh and adds a pop of subtle spice. Sometimes, I drizzle a touch more lemon juice for that vibrant zing!

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, baked fish, or even as a side for your favorite veggie burger. When I serve it at barbecues, guests often reach for it alongside corn on the cob and fresh pita bread—it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered this salad in a clear glass trifle bowl to show off the beautiful colors. Another time, I rolled it into leaf wraps using butter lettuce—makes for a fun finger food at parties. Presentation can be casual or elegant depending on your occasion!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and tasty for up to 2-3 days. Just give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe because the fresh veggies and yogurt dressing don’t hold up well to thawing—they tend to get watery and lose their crunch. It’s best enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

This salad is served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. If you want it less chilled, just take it out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before eating to let the flavors open up.

FAQs

Can I make this Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! To make it vegan, swap the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt like coconut or almond milk yogurt, and replace the mayonnaise with a vegan mayo. You can also substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, and skip the feta or use a vegan cheese alternative.
Do I need to blanch the broccoli before using it in the salad?

Not at all! This recipe is designed to use raw broccoli to keep that satisfying crunch. Just be sure your florets are fresh and cut evenly. If you prefer softer broccoli, you can blanch for 1-2 minutes and then plunge it into ice water; however, I love the fresh texture raw broccoli adds.
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time for a party?

Yes! Making it a few hours or even a day ahead actually improves the flavor as the dressing gets time to meld with the ingredients. Just keep it refrigerated until serving and give it a quick toss before plating.
What can I use instead of sunflower seeds in this Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe?

If you’re allergic or simply want variety, try pumpkin seeds, toasted almonds, or chopped walnuts. Each adds a unique crunch and flavor that works well with the other ingredients.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Broccoli Salad (Without Bacon) Recipe has become one of my favorite easy salads to whip up when I want something nourishing without fuss. I love recommending it to friends because it’s foolproof, tastes incredible, and feels fresh every time. If you’re craving a salad that’s creamy, sweet, and super crunchy, give this one a try—you’ll be so glad you did, and it might just become your new staple too!