This broccoli salad with chia seed dressing is packed with eight colorful ingredients for a fresh, satisfying dish!
Are you looking for a salad that’s anything but boring? I’ve got just what you need! I’ve taken my classic broccoli salad and packed it with chia seeds and cherries. Fresh, seasonal summer ingredients inspired the flavors, so you don’t need to add any extra sweeteners unless you want to.
The natural sweetness of ripe Bing cherries and juicy oranges makes this salad shine. It’s also the base for the salad dressing! This straightforward, satisfying salad is perfect for any party, picnic, or even lunch on busy weekdays. In just a few steps, you will be ready to dig into this wholesome, tasty salad!
I’ve been all about blender salad dressings this summer. It’s so quick and easy! After creating my peach and poppy seed dressing, I knew I had to find another fruit to puree. The cherries add a luxurious flavor and sweetness only found in these fruit gems. I found some beautiful cara cara oranges to add some fresh citrus flavors and acidity to the dressing.
Have I told you about my secret natural thickening method? Chia seeds are my new favorite fiber-filled ingredient. When mixed with a liquid and given some time (at least 10 minutes), you will immediately notice your dressing thicken, and it has a neutral taste.
It’s like magic! This helps reduce some of the oil needed for traditional thickening. The dressing is light, bright, and delicious, a win for all!
Every ingredient in this salad earns its spot for flavor and texture. Sturdy greens like kale and blanched broccoli hold up to the dressing without wilting, so the salad stays crisp. Cranberries, cherries, and oranges add natural sweetness, a little tartness, and bright pops of color.
Chia seeds thicken the dressing and add a subtle crunch, while almonds and sunflower seeds bring a toasty, nutty bite. A little goes a long way, so they’re used more sparingly.
Salads don’t have to be boring or bland. This one is all about contrast, with crunchy, juicy, sweet, and tangy bites in one bowl. If your parents spent years convincing you to eat your broccoli when you were a little sprout, this might be the salad that finally wins you over. It’s mommy-approved (I am one, so does that count?).
It’s all about getting the flavors and textures of each ingredient to work together. I’ve done the testing; now you just need to blend, blanch, toss, and enjoy!
How do Chia Seeds naturally thicken the dressing?
Chia are the most intriguing teeny tiny seeds. They are fascinating from a texture perspective! This cherry chia dressing contains 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. That’s 5 grams of dietary fiber just in a spoonful. Amazing! The fiber in the seeds is what helps to create a gel-like substance when allowed to absorb the liquid. It can absorb almost nine times its weight, impressive for sure! It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to see and feel the thickness of the dressing change. The longer you allow the chia to sit in the mixture the thicker it will become. You can always puree the dressing for a few minutes to make it pourable or add some more liquid like orange juice to reduce the thickness if needed.
Broccoli Salad with Chia Seed Dressing
Ingredients
Chia Seed Salad Dressing
- 1 cup bing cherries, pitted
- ¼ cup orange juice, plus 2 tablespoons, plus zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, plus extra for topping on salad
Broccoli Salad
- 5 cups broccoli florets, cut into small pieces (about 2 small heads)
- 2 cups kale, thinly sliced
- 10 bing cherries, pitted and cut in half
- 1 large orange, peeled and cut into segments
- ¼ cup cranberries, dried
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
Chia Seed Salad Dressing
- Blend together cherries, orange juice, orange zest, and lemon juice until smooth, about 15 seconds.
- With the blender running on low, drizzle in the olive oil and puree until dispersed, about 30 seconds.
- Add ⅛ teaspoon of salt, taste and add more as needed.
- Add chia seeds and blend for 10 seconds to combine.
- Allow the dressing to sit in the blender while you prepare the salad. If you are not eating the salad right away, add the chia seeds about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
Broccoli Salad
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and 2 cups ice, set aside.
- In a pot large enough to fit the broccoli, submerge the florets completely in water (about 1-inch above) and bring to a boil. Blanch broccoli for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until bright green.
- Transfer immediately to the ice bath and allow to cool until no longer warm. Drain florets well, set aside.
- In a large bowl toss together the broccoli and kale. Toss with the desired amount of dressing.
- Transfer to a large serving bowl and top with sliced cherries, oranges, cranberries, sunflower seeds, almonds, and a sprinkle of extra chia seeds.
Equipment
Notes
- The chia seeds will thicken the dressing as it sits, so right before serving the salad puree the dressing to make it pourable again, about 15 seconds. You can add more orange juice if needed right before serving to thin out the consistency if needed.
- MAKE IT WHOLE30: Use extra-virgin olive oil, and use sea salt for kosher salt.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Christine Markwart says
This looks delicious! I think I might add some chicken for protein and make it for lunches! These are some of my favorite superfoods. 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you, Christine! I think adding chicken is a fantastic idea!