Broccoli Salad Makeover Recipe
The perfect potluck recipe for a backyard barbecue! This crunchy and refreshing broccoli salad is full of nutritious add-ins like seeds, craisins, cheese, Greek yogurt, and fruit.

I’ve got two kids who will only eat broccoli raw, and one that claims she only likes it cooked. Usually, I can’t please them all, but with this salad, all three of them were on board!
What I love about this Broccoli Salad Makeover Recipe is that you can be creative and choose different add-ins depending on what you have on hand. I had very few things on hand, so it was simply broccoli, raisins, and pecans, with dressing.
You can also include:
- Craisins
- Red onions
- Bacon bits
- Slivered almonds
- Grapes
- Cheddar cheese
- Sunflower seeds
Then, inspired by My Year Without (Nicole cut refined sugars out of her diet in favor of natural, unprocessed sweeteners), I decided instead of the traditional white sugar in the dressing, I was replacing it with honey. I also like the tang of mayonnaise, so I replace half of it with plain yogurt, and the other half with some light mayonnaise. Here was the final recipe:
- 1/4 Cup plain Yogurt (greek yogurt preferable)
- 1/4 Cup light mayonnaise
- 1 TBL apple cider Vinegar
- 1 TBL Honey
Add dressing to any combination of the following:
- 4 Cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup optional add-ins from above.
Why should your kids (and you) eat broccoli?
Its full of good stuff like Vitamin C, A, folic acid, calcium, and chromium. Plus, it contains both protein and fiber.


Broccoli Salad Makeover
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 4 cup broccoli, florets
Add ins
- 1/4 cup cranberries, dried
- 1/4 cup, chopped onion, red
- 1/4 cup pieces turkey bacon
- 1/4 cup almonds, sliced
- 1/4 cup grapes
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, plain
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise, light
- 1 tablespoon vinegar, cider
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Whisk in a bowl, yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, and honey together.
- Add to broccoli and one cup of the other ingredients.
- Stir together and serve.
Nutrition

We love broccoli salad!! It’s my husband’s favorite, and I love that it’s so easy to make.
My son has decided that he loves the BirdsEye steamfresh broccoli and cauliflower! You can’t ask for more than that, right?!
This recipe looks great. My kids typically love broccoli (steamed and drizzled w/ evoo and kosher salt) but your idea looks like a delicious one as well!
[…] Broccoli Salad Makeover […]
I like this Idea, I love broccoli but I need some ideas to get creative for my family. we have 6 children, it can be challenge to stay on the healthy eating side of life. Thanks for the dressing recipe too…
Sounds super yummy! I’m wondering if miracle whip would ruin it, as i don’t like mayo 😉 what do you think?
Definitely! If you like the taste of miracle whip, you’ll love it! I do!
I was curious was style of BUGS those brown spots were – oh! raisins! (love broccoli!)
Are you steaming the broccoli or is it raw?
My granddaughter ordered broccoli and pancakes for dinner Friday night. She is four. Who does that?
@Mary- the broccoli is not cooked, it is raw!
@Justine- LOVE IT! Kids are the best 🙂
Broccoli salad looks so good, im going to try. Thank you, for recipes.
I made the broccoli salad, with a variation! I steamed the florets a couple of minutes, added some soaked almonds, melon seeds and prunes. The dressing was of hung curd, chopped garlic, chilli flakes, salt, rosemary and a teaspoon of burger mayo! It was awesome!! Thanks…….loved it!
It can’t be too healthy made with non GMO mayonnaise….too much soy oil etc.
I misspoke…I meant GMO mayonnaise. So sorry.
Love this recipe!! I make it all the time!
I really like it! Will prepare again.
Good stuff. Just like the classic recipe but with Greek yogurt in place of some of the mayo and turkey bacon instead of regular.
Shredded carrots also make a great add in!
Delicious.
Used frozen broccoli and cooked it a bit to soften the broccoli, as I don’t like it raw. Also used regular yogurt as I was out of greek. I served the toppings on the side and everyone added what they wanted. Great recipe!
Delicious!! Everyone loved it & definitely keeping this recipe in mind for future potlucks. I was worried about not blanching the broccoli, but it tasted just fine raw!
it was delicious
How many servings does this make? (Hopefully I’m not overlooking it!)
Hi there! This makes four servings.