Vegan Broccoli Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Full confession: I actually love a classic Bacon Broccoli Salad with creamy dressing, but sometimes, I’m craving something lighter.

This vegan broccoli salad is the perfect solution. It’s got a lot of the same components as classic broccoli salad–similar mix-ins, plenty of broccoli–but instead of a heavy creamy dressing, we swap in a light poppy seed dressing that makes all the difference! (No mayo or vegan mayonnaise required!)

The end result is everything I love about a good broccoli salad recipe–plenty of vibrant broccoli, a nutty crunch from almonds, savory & sweet mix-ins, and a delicious tangy dressing that ties it all together.

No matter who you’re eating with this summer, this delicious vegan broccoli salad is sure to please meat-eaters & plant lovers alike. It’s is gluten-free, paleo AND vegan, so it’s the perfect side dish recipe for all kinds of guests!

And the best part is that it starts with simple ingredients…

Simple Ingredients To Start

• Broccoli Florets. You’ll start this healthy broccoli salad with fresh broccoli florets. No need to cook them first, they’ll soften in the dressing!
• Red Grapes. Ripe, juicy grapes add a sweet freshness. I like seedless red or purple grapes for color.
• Dried Cranberries or Raisins. Next up is dried cranberries or raisins. Feel free to use golden raisins or any fun variety you can find to play with the colors in this salad!
• Almonds. Need a nut-free option? Try sunflower seeds! They add a satisfying, salty crunch. We’ve even used salty pumpkin seeds before.
• Red Onion. For a savory layer of flavor, I like adding finely diced red onions. If these feel too strong for you, feel free to use sliced green onions for milder flavor.
• A Simple Poppy Seed Dressing. The salad dressing ingredients are simple, too! We just mix this up with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and agave or maple syrup. Then, just salt, pepper, and poppy seeds. It strikes the perfect balance between savory, sweet, and tangy!

How To Make Vegan Broccoli Salad, Step By Step

As always, you can find the full recipe with ingredient amounts, step-by-step instructions, tips and more in the recipe card below.

1. First, Mix Up The Dressing. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, agave, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine. (It’s normal for it not to be perfectly blended.)
2. Assemble The Salad. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped broccoli, grapes, cranberries, and onion. If serving right away, add almonds. If you have time to let the salad chill in the fridge, leave the almonds out until right before serving for best results.
3. Dress The Salad. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine until everything is evenly coated.
4. Chill. Ideally, let the salad chill at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend and the broccoli soften. (Add almonds right before serving.) Store leftovers in an airtight container up 2-3 days (almonds will soften with time) 

FAQ + Tips For The Best Vegan Broccoli Salad

Think Bite-Size! One trick to this easy broccoli salad recipe is cutting the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. It’ll be easier to eat if you trim the broccoli florets into roughly even sized pieces.

Do You Cook Broccoli For Broccoli Salad? Not usually! It’s not strictly necessary, since the dressing will help soften the broccoli (kind of like a marinade!). A raw broccoli salad works just great! If you absolutely don’t think you can do it without cooking the broccoli first, I recommend lightly blanching the broccoli. Don’t cook it all the way, or it will get mushy in the salad!

Can You Add Broccoli Stems To Broccoli Salad? Absolutely! We use broccoli florets, then dice or slice up any larger broccoli stems into small bite-sized pieces. They soften in the dressing beautifully.  

Play With The Flavors! Don’t hesitate to play with the flavors or add-ins here! Try adding some shredded carrots, or diced apples into the salad. Or, try making the dressing with white balsamic dressing for a delicious twist!