Easy New York deli-style broccoli salad is made with crunchy broccoli florets, sweet dried cranberries, and salty sunflower seeds combined with a delicious dressing. A budget-friendly, vegetarian, and dairy-free recipe.
This New York deli-style broccoli salad recreates the classic sold in New York delis and Jewish bagel shops.
But why buy it at deli prices when you can simply make this healthy salad at home?
And it makes a delicious, unique addition to deli tables, summer picnics, parties, and backyard BBQs. And it’s a perfect side dish or appetizer to bring to potlucks.
A Little About Broccoli
Broccoli is part of a group called “cole” crops, which also includes Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and collard greens.
It began growing in the Mediterranean over 1500 years ago and was grown in the Roman Empire. By the 18th century, it had spread throughout Europe and was brought to North America by Italian immigrants sometime in the 19th century.
Broccoli is considered to be a healthy vegetable. It contains vitamins, nutrients, and fiber, and it is low in calories!
FAQs
What does it mean when recipes say “to taste” about an ingredient?
When recipes say “to taste,” it means that you can put in as little or as much as you like to your own taste. Some recipes have many ingredients that a cook can adjust to their own taste when cooking (not so much when baking though).
The best way to calculate what your taste is with a recipe that you are not yet familiar with is to first taste the dish and then add the “to taste” ingredient GRADUALLY, a little at a time—a splash of this or a pinch of that—until the dish is just the way you like it. Make sure to stir the ingredient after each time you add it so that the flavor will distribute evenly and become part of the dish. Then taste again. Repeat until you reach your personal preference.
Note: If you plan on using the recipe again, it is highly recommended to make a note of what and how much you added so that you can refer to it next time.
What does it mean when a recipe says that an ingredient is “optional”?
If an ingredient is “optional,” it means that you can add it in or not based on your own preference. An optional ingredient can be flavor-related (i.e., salty, sweet, spicy, etc.), appearance-related (a garnish), or even something like nuts or chocolate chips in baking.
What does “savory” mean?
“Savory” refers to foods that are not sweet, such as foods that taste salty, spicy, or herbal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes this a New York deli-style broccoli salad?
This salad recreates the classic, crisp, and flavorful style found in authentic New York delis and Jewish bagel shops, featuring a balance of fresh crunch, sweet dried fruit, and a savory dressing.
Is this broccoli salad vegetarian and dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegetarian and dairy-free (pareve), making it a light and refreshing side dish that fits easily into diverse dietary preferences and traditional meals.
Can I make this broccoli salad ahead of time?
Yes, broccoli salad actually benefits from sitting in the refrigerator for a short while, as it allows the flavors to meld together and softens the broccoli slightly while maintaining a great crunch.
What ingredients are in a classic deli broccoli salad?
It typically features crunchy broccoli florets combined with sweet dried cranberries, salty sunflower seeds, and a creamy, tangy dressing that ties all the contrasting textures together.
What is the best mayo to use with this recipe?
I prefer to use Hellmann’s/Best Foods (it’s the same mayonnaise but has a different name depending on where you are in the US), but you can use whichever mayo you prefer or can find.
What is needed for this recipe?
I hardly ever meal plan, so I like to keep a cupboard full of seasonings, spices, veggies, and canned goods in my kitchen to use whenever the mood strikes.
But these are all you need to have on hand to make this recipe even last-minute!
frozen broccoli florets (or fresh) *
dried cranberries
shelled sunflower seeds, unsalted
red onion
mayonnaise
white granulated sugar (or equitable sugar substitute)
white vinegar
salt
Like deli salads?
Just put “deli-style” in the search bar to find several delicious, easy-to-make deli-style salads. In the meantime, try these!
- Easy Deli-Style Coleslaw
- Easy Deli-Style Cucumber Salad
- Easy Deli-Style Potato Salad
- Easy Deli-Style Macaroni Salad
Easy New York Deli-Style Broccoli Salad Recipe
A dairy-free, vegetarian broccoli salad like deli version! Just 4 main ingredients and a delicious dressing!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds of chopped frozen broccoli flowerets (or fresh) *
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup of shelled sunflower seeds, unsalted
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup diced red onion (depends on how much onion flavor one likes)
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar (or equitable sugar substitute)
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pour chopped broccoli, dried cranberries, diced onion, and shelled sunflower seeds into a mixing bowl to make the salad.
- In another bowl, combine, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, vinegar, and salt to make the dressing.
- Mix the dressing into the salad until it is all covered.
Notes
* If using fresh broccoli, just boil for a few minutes (only until a fork can just go through)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 399Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 795mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 5gSugar: 20gProtein: 5g