Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad

Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad is a quick, tasty dish with broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, feta, almonds, and creamy lemon-poppy seed dressing.

Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad Recipe

Every summer, I look forward to BBQs, and if there’s a broccoli salad on the menu, my plate is always piled high with it. I live for summer salads, and broccoli salads have always been a favorite of mine. In fact, I don’t just wait for summer — they’ve become a year-round staple in my kitchen!

When I decided to tweak my favorite poppy seed dressing and add it to my traditional broccoli salad, I knew we had a winner! Instead of just adding mayo (like a lot of broccoli salads call for), the lemon poppy seed dressing brings a delicious flavor that really makes the whole salad. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli, not frozen. Chop it small.
• Sunflower seeds: Pick roasted and salted seeds for extra flavor.
• Dried cranberries: Go for soft, sweetened cranberries for a sweet touch. Dried tart cherries also work!
• Sliced almonds: Toast almonds in a pan over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes to bring out more flavor and keep them crunchy.
• Feta: Optional, but adds creaminess.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing: Blend everything (except the poppy seeds), stir in the seeds, and you’re done!

How To Make Lemon Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad

With no baking or cooking needed, this is truly the ultimate summer salad!

1. Prep Broccoli: Remove stems and chop into small pieces for better mixing and faster softening.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix broccoli, cranberries, almonds, sunflower seeds, and feta. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste.
3. Make Dressing: Blend dressing ingredients until smooth, then stir in poppy seeds. For a lighter version, swap some mayo for Greek yogurt.
4. Dress Salad: Pour dressing over the salad and mix. Chill.
5. Adjust Seasoning: After chilling, mix again and add salt if needed.
6. Serve: Enjoy the salad the same day for the best flavor.

Does Broccoli Need To Be Cooked First?

No, raw broccoli is standard in broccoli salads. The dressing and chilling time soften it. Just make sure to finely chop the broccoli into small pieces.

If you don’t like raw broccoli, blanch it first. Here’s how: boil the broccoli in salted water for 30 seconds, then drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Let it air dry or throw it in a salad spinner to make sure your lemon poppy seed broccoli salad doesn’t become soggy.

Lemon-Poppy Seed Broccoli Salad Tips

• Use good quality mayo. I love Hellman’s/Best Foods® for the best flavor. Its consistency, texture, and sweetness make a big difference in the salad.
• Use fresh ingredients. Fresh, good broccoli makes all the difference in this lemon poppy seed broccoli salad.
• Use a small grater to zest just the outer bright yellow part of the lemon. Avoid the bitter white part underneath.
• Chill before serving. Let the salad chill for 30 mins to 1 hour for the best flavor and texture.

Variation Ideas

• Add Fruit: Mix in diced apples, grapes, blueberries, or mandarin oranges for extra sweetness and flavor.
• Include Cheese: Try adding shredded cheddar, blue cheese crumbles, or goat cheese instead of feta in this lemon poppy seed broccoli salad.
• Add Veggies: Try adding in chopped bell peppers, red onions, or shredded carrots for added crunch and color.
• Use Different Nuts: Switch out sliced almonds with walnuts, pecans, or cashews for a different nutty flavor.
• Change the Dressing: Swap the lemon poppy seed dressing for a balsamic dressing or a ranch dressing.

More Potluck Salads 

• EASY Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad with a buffalo ranch dressing
• Fresh and delicious Corn Salad
• Macaroni Coleslaw Salad summer BBQ mash-up salad
• Grape Salad dessert “salad” with creamy grapes and pecans
• Orzo Pasta Salad with a lemon dressing