Broccoli Salad With Oil-Free Tahini Dressing
Easy Broccoli Salad With Oil-Free Tahini Dressing is a high-protein, balanced meal. Make ahead for dinner, or pack for lunch. Creamy and delicious. Gluten-free.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Vegan
Servings: 6
Calories: 605kcal
- 2 medium heads broccoli raw, cut into florets (about 10 cups)
- 30 ounces chickpeas (2 15-ounce cans) drained and rinsed
- 2 large bell peppers small dice
- 4 green onions thinly sliced
- ⅔ cup sliced almonds or slivered, toasted (optional)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or tart cherries
- 10 large mint leaves chopped
- ½ cup minced parsley
For the oil-free tahini dressing:
- ⅔ cup tahini
- 2 ½ tablespoons tamari or soy sauce (preferably low sodium)
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice plus more to taste (about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or to taste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Rice the florets: Place the broccoli florets in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the broccoli resembles grains of rice (about 3 to 4 times). Transfer them to a large bowl.
Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, mix the tahini, tamari, lemon juice, and Dijon (if using). Grate the garlic into the bowl using a microplane or fine grater. Add maple syrup to taste. Add water until the desired consistency (about one-half cup). Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice to taste.
Mix to combine: Transfer the chickpeas, peppers, green onion, almonds, dried cranberries, mint, and parsley to the bowl with the broccoli. Add the desired amount of dressing and stir to combine.
- Raw broccoli works well in this salad, but you can blanch it beforehand if preferred. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and place the cut florets inside the boiling water for 1 minute. Remove them with a slotted spoon, and plunge into a large bowl of ice water for 1 minute, or until cool. Drain and pat them dry using a tea towel before pulsing in the food processor.
- Substitute canned chickpeas with 3 cups cooked.
- Toasting the almonds enhances their nutty flavor, and makes them crunchier. It's optional but worth it! Place the nuts in a dry skillet. Heat over medium heat until golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them as they burn quickly.
- Substitute almonds for chopped nuts, or seeds of your choice.
Calories: 605kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 295mg | Potassium: 962mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2344IU | Vitamin C: 86mg | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 7mg