Description
A vibrant and refreshing Blueberry Broccoli Spinach Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, crunchy broccoli, ripe avocado, juicy blueberries, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a homemade creamy ranch dressing packed with herbs and spices. Perfect for a quick, nutritious, and flavorful meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 oz fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2-4 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 2-4 tablespoons roasted sunflower seeds (unsalted)
- Black pepper, to taste (optional)
Dressing
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (extra if desired)
- 1/4 cup good quality mayonnaise (homemade or store bought)
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Peel one clove of garlic, then smash and mince it into a paste. Season it with sea salt. Combine the salted garlic paste with Greek yogurt (or sour cream), buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice (or white vinegar), poppy seeds, dried parsley, dried dill, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk everything well until smooth.
- Chill the dressing: Place the dressing in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and develop a more robust taste. For best results, prepare the dressing the night before serving or at least a couple of hours prior.
- Wash and dry greens: Thoroughly wash the fresh baby spinach and pat dry or use a salad spinner to remove excess water, ensuring your salad isn’t soggy.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the baby spinach, chopped broccoli, blueberries, dried cranberries, sliced or diced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and roasted sunflower seeds. Gently toss together to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the chilled ranch dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Season and serve: Add black pepper to taste if desired, give one last gentle toss, and serve immediately for a fresh and delicious salad experience.
Notes
- Make the dressing ahead of time for best flavor infusion.
- Adjust dried cranberries and sunflower seeds quantity based on your preference for sweetness and crunch.
- Use ripe avocado for creaminess and best taste.
- Can substitute the Greek yogurt with sour cream for a richer dressing.
- Extra buttermilk can be added to thin the dressing if needed.
- Black pepper is optional and can be adjusted to your taste.
- This salad is best served fresh; however, leftover dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
