Broccoli Salad

I’ll admit it... when I first heard “raw broccoli salad,” I wasn’t exactly running to the kitchen. Broccoli? Raw? Really? But trust me on this one: Italian raw broccoli salad is something special.

This isn’t your average soggy green side dish. No limp vegetables here. This salad is fresh, zesty, crunchy, and bursting with Mediterranean flavour—just the kind of dish I love making alongside grilled meats, pasta, or even as a light lunch on its own. It’s the sort of thing that surprises people in the best way. They take a bite, eyebrows go up, and suddenly everyone’s asking for the recipe.

I'm not exaggerating there! It's true. Everyone I have served this broccoli salad to loves it and begs for the recipe and now I'm going to share it with you.

About this broccoli salad recipe.

This is a recipe my mother-in-law served one day that had been lost in our her family cookbook for years before she decided to give it a try. I did change it some but it is essentially what Dan's great grandparents from Italy used to make.

If you're a fan of dishes that come together quickly, taste fantastic, and make you feel like you're eating sunshine on a plate, then this one’s for you. Even Dan loves it and that's saying something.

What Makes This Broccoli Salad So Good?

The secret to this dish is simple: slice the broccoli into small pieces and dress it like you would a bold Italian antipasto—good olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes, lemon juice, maybe a splash of vinegar, and plenty of salt.

For sweetness, I add dried cranberries but that wasn't in the the original recipe. I do think they adding them turns this raw broccoli salad into something worthy of taking centre stage though.

Think of this like an Italian-style slaw. But instead of cabbage, you’re using broccoli—and instead of mayo, you’ve got olive oil, garlic, and lemon doing the heavy lifting.

This broccoli salad is like a party in your mouth. I promise!

Ingredients

There aren't a lot of ingredients in this version of the salad. I do give additional variations below if you want to give them a try. If the ingredient sounds good, add it.

• Broccoli Florets
• Pumpkin seeds
• Red Onion, finely sliced
• Dried Cranberries
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Cider Vinegar and/or lemon juice
• Honey
• Dijon Mustard
• Parmesan (optional)
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Check out these step by step instructions to see just how easy and quickly you can throw this masterpiece of a salad together.

1. Step 1: Pour all of the ingredients except the dressing into a large salad bowl.

2. Step 2: Pour in the olive oil and toss so that it coats it all nicely. For best results, use a good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Why This Salad Works

This dish proves that raw veg doesn’t have to be boring. The key is balance: acid from the lemon and vinegar, heat from the chili, richness from the olive oil and cheese, and crunch from the broccoli and nuts. Every bite delivers contrast, and that’s what makes it irresistible.

It’s the kind of salad that doesn’t just sit on the side of the plate—you’ll be going back for seconds. And thirds.

Tips, Tricks & Twists

Don’t skimp on the oil: This isn’t the time to go light on the olive oil. Use the good stuff—it makes a big difference.

Add protein: Want to make this a full meal? Add in some grilled chicken, white beans, chickpeas, or even tuna. It soaks up the dressing beautifully.

Cheese options: Parmesan is classic, but aged pecorino or even shaved asiago work just as well. If you’re dairy-free, try nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour without the cheese.

Make it ahead: This salad actually improves as it sits. You can prep it a few hours ahead of time—just leave out the nuts and cheese until just before serving to keep things crisp.

Make it extra colourful: Add in thinly sliced red cabbage, carrots, or radishes for extra crunch and colour. It’s a great fridge-clean-out dish.

Serving Suggestions

This salad plays beautifully with all kinds of dishes. Here are a few favourites:

Topped on toast – Yes, seriously. Try it piled onto a slice of sourdough with a soft-boiled egg.

Grilled meats or fish – The acidity cuts through rich proteins like a charm.

Pasta night – Serve alongside spaghetti aglio e olio or a creamy fettuccine.

Picnic or BBQ – It travels well and holds up without wilting like lettuce-based salads.

Storage

You can store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days but there are a few things to consider:

Best quality: It’s at its freshest and crunchiest within the first 24 hours, but the flavour actually deepens after a few hours as the broccoli absorbs the dressing.

What to add later: If you’re making it ahead, hold off on adding nuts, cheese, or fresh herbs until just before serving. This keeps them from going soft or soggy.

To serve after storage, just give the broccoli salad a toss before serving and maybe a little extra squeeze of lemon or olive oil to freshen it up.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried broccoli raw, this salad is the perfect introduction. It’s bold, Italian-style cooking at its most refreshing—simple ingredients used in smart ways to bring out the best in each other.

I’ve served this to broccoli sceptics who’ve gone back for thirds. It’s one of those dishes that surprises people and makes them rethink what vegetables can do. And that’s what I love about cooking—taking something ordinary and turning it into something unforgettable with just a few simple tweaks.

So give it a try. Chop it thin, dress it boldly, and don’t forget the cheese. You’ll never look at broccoli the same way again.