Looking for a way to get more veggies in your diet? I’ve got a great recipe that will do just that! This chopped broccoli salad is loaded with crunchy, nutty, healthy goodness! Colorful and nutrient-dense fresh vegetables are tossed with a savory, peanut dressing and lots of chopped peanuts! This salad is hearty and filling without any meat or dairy!
Here’s what you need for the salad:
I love this combination of flavors and colors! Fresh broccoli and carrots are naturally sweet while cabbage and bell pepper are nice and earthy. Feel free to add or swap out other crisp veggies or herbs such as cucumber, basil, sugar snap peas, etc,…
Here’s what you need for the peanut dressing:
The dressing for this salad is actually my Awesome Peanut Sauce that I use as a dip for spring rolls and lettuce wraps. It’s creamy, nutty and delicious and perfect for this salad because the sturdy vegetables won’t collapse under the thickness of the sauce!
Make the dressing.
Grate the garlic and ginger with a microplane. Pop it into a mixing bowl with the other ingredients and give it a good whisk. Set it aside while you prep the veggies.
Chop the broccoli florets into smaller, bite-sized pieces and julienne the cabbage and bell pepper into 1/8 inch slices so you can get little bit of everything in each bite.
Toss with the peanut dressing.
Start with a half cup of the dressing. If it seems too light, add more, a small amount at a time. It is a rich dressing and can easily overwhelm the salad if too much is added.
Don’t forget the chili crisp!
Chili crisp is condiment of fried, crunchy chili flakes and other ingredients in oil. It adds wonderful smoky, spicy and aromatic flavors to foods. Since it is becoming more popular here, I am starting to see it in more places. I typically buy it at an Asian market or online, but I actually even saw it at Walmart recently. If you are not sure if you can find it locally, order it by clicking this link here.
I usually serve it on the side, just in case there are those who are averse to spicy foods. I love the depth of flavor it brings to fresh, crunchy salads like this one!
This salad tastes best shortly after tossing it with the dressing. If you are trying to plan ahead, I would suggest making the dressing a day or so ahead, then prepping the rest of the salad and tossing it when it’s time to serve. It will save you a few minutes, which is helpful when you have a lot going on!
Enjoy this nutty, crunchy salad on it’s own for as a healthy, light lunch or as a side with Tamarind, Honey and Lime Skirt Steak or Korean Barbecue Glazed Salmon!
Other recipes to try:
- Chilled Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing
- Crunchy Mango Sesame Slaw
- Lemony Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli finely chopped
- 1 cup grated carrot about 2 carrots
- 1 red bell pepper julienned
- 2 cups red cabbage julienned
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts chopped
- 1/2-3/4 cup peanut sauce recipe below
- chili crisp to taste
Instructions
- Combine the veggies in a large mixing bowl and toss with the peanut sauce and chopped peanuts. Start with 1/2 cup of the sauce, and if the salad seems to dry, add a couple tablespoons more at a time. Serve with chili crisp.
Awesome Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 tsp chili paste or to taste
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves grated
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp coconut milk
Instructions
- Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth. Adjust for flavor preferences if needed.