Garlic Parmesan Broccoli Salad (Printable)

Fresh broccoli florets in a creamy garlic-Parmesan dressing with toasted almonds and crisp red onion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 pound fresh broccoli florets
02 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

→ Dressing

04 - ½ cup mayonnaise
05 - ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
06 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

12 - ⅓ cup toasted slivered almonds or sunflower seeds
13 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for 1–2 minutes until bright green and just tender.
02 - Drain broccoli immediately and plunge into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined.
04 - In a large bowl, combine blanched broccoli, red onion, and cherry tomatoes if using. Pour the dressing over and toss to coat evenly.
05 - Sprinkle with toasted almonds or sunflower seeds and extra Parmesan cheese. Garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The blanching trick keeps the broccoli bright green and crisp without any raw bitterness.
  • Garlic and Parmesan turn a simple vegetable into something you actually crave.
  • It holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.
02 -
  • Blanching for more than two minutes turns the broccoli mushy and dull, set a timer and trust it.
  • Drying the broccoli completely is not optional, wet florets will make your dressing runny and sad.
  • Chilling before serving is when the magic happens, the garlic mellows and the dressing soaks into every crevice.
03 -
  • Use a microplane to grate the Parmesan directly into the dressing for the smoothest texture.
  • If your broccoli stems are thick, peel the tough outer layer before blanching so they cook evenly.
  • A tiny pinch of sugar in the dressing balances the tang if your lemon is especially tart.
Return