Paleo Broccoli Salad

Paleo Broccoli Salad

Is there is a better dish that represents the summer season than Paleo Broccoli Salad? If there is, I have yet to find it!

On top of being a crowd favorite, it offers the perfect amount of sweetness while still remaining healthy.

Featuring fresh broccoli florets, bacon, red onion and raisins. This is a dish that is equal to more than the sum of its parts, and is the perfect compliment to any summer cook out!

What Makes Paleo Broccoli Salad Great?

Finding the Right Balance:

What is it that makes Broccoli Salad so great? While there are so many different Broccoli Salad recipes out there. Some are overly sweet. While others leave you wanting more!

The key to a great Paleo Broccoli Salad comes down to one thing, balance. The best recipes find a balance between sweet and savory. In this recipe:

• The bacon and red onion provide a familiar complexity.
• Monk fruit and raisins offer a naturally subtle sweetness.
• The shredded cheddar cheese and salted sunflower seeds add structure.

Finding the right balance is not always easy. But, in this recipe, I will help you find that perfect balance each and every time!

The Health Benefits of Paleo Broccoli Salad

Broccoli:

Broccoli, the “meat and bones” of this recipe, is widely known as a superfood. It is packed full of vitamins and nutrients. Contains ample dietary fiber. And offers more protein than the majority of vegetables.

Additionally, broccoli is super low in calories. But is also extremely filling due to the fiber and protein contents.

There is a reason why broccoli is the star of this dish. It is both flavorful, and a great vegetable to include in your diet!

Sunflower Seeds

Like broccoli, sunflower seeds are also packed full of vitamins and nutrients. These help to build immune system strength which aids the body in fighting off a variety of illnesses.

Sunflower seeds are low in saturated fats, and contain two types of heart healthy unsaturated fatty acids. Generally regarded as healthy oils, they help contribute to positive heart health.

Besides being healthy, sunflower seeds offer great flavor and texture to this Paleo Broccoli Salad. They add a mild roasted nutty flavor, that is both firm and tender in texture.

Raisins:

Raisins, known as “natures candy“, are fat and cholesterol free, high in antioxidants, and a great source of fiber. On top of all that, the dehydration process that raisins go through help to concentrate these healthy nutrient levels.

Some would argue that the amount of sugars in raisins is unhealthy. While this is true, and you wouldn’t want a large amount of raisins in your diet, they are used moderately in this recipe to keep sugar levels low.

Keep in mind, raisins contain natural sugar which is accompanied by a healthy amount of fiber as well!

Monk Fruit:

Monk fruit is a low glycemic, zero calorie, all natural sugar substitute. Because of this, it is a great candidate for the Paleo diet.

Cooking with monk fruit is simple. It is a direct 1 for 1 substitute for sugar. This means there is no guess work when adding to a recipe. Thanks for keeping it simple, Monk Fruit!

Also, unlike most sweeteners, monk fruit will not cause a spike in blood sugar levels. There are even some studies illustrating that it can help to lower blood sugar levels.

How to Make Paleo Broccoli Salad

How to Make:

1. Start by washing and drying 4 heads of fresh broccoli.
2. Break down broccoli florets into single pieces, and add to a mixing bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, Add in 3/4 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of sour cream, and 1 & 1/2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
4. Next add in 3 tablespoons of monk fruit sweetener, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
5. Mix well and pour over broccoli.
6. Place the bowl in the fridge.
7. Then, chop 6 slices of bacon and add to a cold pan.
8. Cook over medium heat until fully rendered.
9. Remove bacon and set aside.
10. Then, finely dice 1/2 of a red onion.
11. Remove broccoli from the fridge and fold in bacon, red onion, and 1/2 cup each of sunflower seeds, raisons, and cheddar cheese.
12. Finally, return to the fridge and let it chill for at least 1 hour.

What to Pair with Paleo Broccoli Salad

Paleo Broccoli Salad goes perfect with barbecue. The sweetness of the broccoli salad is a great contrast to the salty & smokey meat.

I recently served them with some Smoked Beef Ribs. Even though the ribs took much more time and prep, the broccoli salad stole all the thunder. Not fair!