Description
A vibrant and nutritious Blueberry Broccoli Spinach Salad featuring fresh spinach, crisp broccoli, juicy blueberries, crunchy nuts, and a tangy honey Dijon dressing. This quick and easy salad is perfect as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish, delivering a delightful blend of flavors and textures in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed or raw
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is emulsified and smooth.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add fresh spinach leaves, broccoli florets (lightly steamed or raw depending on preference), fresh blueberries, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced almonds or chopped pecans.
- Add dressing to salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all components with the dressing.
- Add feta cheese (optional): Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top of the dressed salad to add a savory, creamy element.
- Serve or chill: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or chill it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together nicely before serving.
Notes
- Lightly steaming the broccoli softens its texture and mellows the flavor but can be used raw for crunchiness.
- Use either sliced almonds or chopped pecans according to preference or availability.
- Feta cheese is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute honey with maple syrup and omit feta cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Chilling the salad helps the flavors marry but serving immediately preserves maximum freshness and texture.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing to taste based on dietary preferences.
