Italian Broccoli Salad

Published March 29, 2022

Italian Broccoli Salad
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
20 minutes
Rating
4(1,579)
Comments
Read comments

This adaptable make-ahead salad is a great instant lunch or side dish. It starts with raw broccoli florets and stems, thinly sliced into irregular shapes to create many textures. As the broccoli sits with salt and vinegar, it softens and becomes slaw. Its mellow flavor is contrasted by the loud ingredients typically found in an Italian sub or chopped salad, like shallots, pickled peppers, olives and provolone. Feel free to add more protein in the form of cured meats, chickpeas, lentils or mozzarella; vegetables like sweet tomatoes or iceberg lettuce; or basil.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • 1small shallot, thinly sliced
  • pounds broccoli (about 2 medium heads)
  • Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  • ½cup roasted, salted almonds, coarsely chopped
  • ¼cup drained, sliced pickled peppers, such as peperoncini
  • ¼cup pitted, torn olives, such as kalamata or Castelvetrano
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • cup red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
  • 3slices provolone (about 3 ounces), torn or cut into bite-size pieces (or use 1½ ounces aged provolone)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

310 calories; 23 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 14 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 19 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 12 grams protein; 634 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Rinse the sliced shallot under cold water and transfer to a large bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Cut the stalks away from the broccoli heads. Using a knife or vegetable peeler, remove the fibrous outer layer of the stalks so its light green insides emerge; compost or discard the outer layer. Thinly slice the stalks crosswise, then thinly slice the heads into bite-size pieces. (A mix of shapes and sizes adds texture to the salad, so chop up the broccoli a few ways; there’s no one right way to go about it.) Transfer to the large bowl as you go, then transfer any loose bits from the cutting board to the bowl.

  3. Step 3

    Season the broccoli generously with salt and pepper, then add the almonds, pickled peppers, olives, oil, vinegar and provolone. Toss vigorously with a spoon until everything is combined and the broccoli is shiny with oil.

  4. Step 4

    Taste and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, oil and vinegar as needed. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving. The salad improves with age as its flavors meld, and it can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Before serving, bring to room temperature and adjust salt, pepper, oil and vinegar to taste, as flavors change in the fridge.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,579 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

I'm so glad to see a broccoli salad recipe that isn't sweet! I've made one similar to this for decades. Mine has in addition to the broccoli, stuffed green olives, chopped hard cooked egg, red onion, chopped mushrooms, and just enough lemon juice & mayo dressing to combine everything. I like the idea of the pickled peppers and almonds in this one and am looking forward to trying it. Sweet broccoli salad? Not for me, thank you!

Toss in a handful of chewy raisins or dried cranberries for a sweet note of contrast and texture. Yum.

Yay for more Broccoli salads!! Melissa Clark’s Broccoli Salad with Garlic and Sesame is a favorite go-to in our house, so this recipe is definitely up our alley. We usually blanch the broccoli very, very briefly, so that it is just a smidge less crunchy, for our tastes. Going to pair this with homemade pizza, focaccia, or mozzarella sticks on our next night in!

Superb recipe, and healthy to boot. I “crisped up” the broccoli by roasting the cut pieces (with salt and pepper) at 400 for about 12 minutes, then cooled it at room temperature before assembling the salad. It’s all good.

It’s good, though I think it could use a light blanching. Broccoli tends to dominate everything it’s mixed with.

This is so delicious. Just what I feel like eating post holidays. Crunchy and salty and bright! Substituted mozzarella for provolone.

Private comments are only visible to you.

or to save this recipe.