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A bowl of broccoli salad with sliced almonds, red onion, olives, and cheese, served with a fork and spoon on a dark plate; salt and napkin in the background.
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Italian Broccoli Salad

Fresh, crisp broccoli tossed in a tangy Italian-style dressing with bold Mediterranean flavors.
Prep Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Easy Italian side dish, Healthy broccoli salad, Italian broccoli salad
Servings: 6
Calories: 253kcal
Author: Chef Jenn

Ingredients

  • 1 small shallot thinly sliced
  • 1½ pounds broccoli cut into bite-sized florets
  • salt
  • black pepper ground
  • ½ cup almonds toasted sliced
  • ¼ cup peperoncini sliced and drained
  • ¼ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup olives sliced pitted
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 ounces provolone cheese diced

Instructions

  • Chop broccoli into small florets. Boil a large pot of salted water and set a bowl of ice water nearby.
  • Blanch broccoli for 30 seconds in the boiling water, then immediately transfer to the ice bath. Once cooled, drain thoroughly and place in a large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the shallot, almonds, peperoncini, bell pepper, olives, and cheese to the bowl with the broccoli.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
  • Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning, oil, or vinegar if needed. It gets better the longer it sits.

Notes

Chef’s Notes

  • Don’t skip the ice bath—it keeps the broccoli bright and crisp.
  • Love garlic? Add a minced clove to the vinaigrette and let it infuse before using.
  • For extra heat, toss in chili flakes or a dash of the peperoncini brine.
  • Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly golden for the best flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 231mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1066IU | Vitamin C: 114mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 2mg