A quick and simple salad, our Easy Broccoli Salad lays on top a creamy and bright peanut sauce and is topped with crisp red cabbage and sesame seeds.
I've shared with you many times the love affair I have with a spoon and a jar of something spreadable. Whether it's homemade chocolate hazelnut spread, ice cream straight from the carton, or nutty nut butter, a thick and creamy texture is always a winner in our kitchen.
When it comes to salad dressing, Philip prefers a light vinaigrette while I prefer a thick sauce based dressing; bonus points if it's a peanut butter dressing. Made with a hunky spoon of nut butter, a splash of soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, lime and a kick of ginger, I can't get enough of peanut butter sauce, and it's decadent way of making any dish drool-worthy.
What's that saying: if I had a dime for every time I considered drinking peanut butter sauce, I'd be rich? No laughing, it's true. With endless options to use, this raw broccoli salad with cabbage is one of our favourite ways to use a peanut butter dressing.
Made with raw florets, shredded cabbage, and topped with sesame seeds and peanuts, this Easy Broccoli Salad with Peanut Butter Sauce is the perfect make a head for lunch or served alongside your favourite Asian-inspired dinner as a true complement.
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How to Make Our Easy Broccoli Salad with Peanut Butter Sauce
Our Easy Broccoli Salad Ingredients
Broccoli, red cabbage, peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, fresh ginger, garlic, peanuts, sesame seeds.
Preparing the Ingredients
There is just a little prep for this recipe. Shred the ¼ of a small red cabbage using a very sharp chefs knife or mandoline, if you have one. You should end up with about 2 cups. Cut 1 large head of broccoli into small florets, and clean them thoroughly.
How to Clean Broccoli
Broccoli has plenty of spots where dirt and other unfavorables can hide. Clean the broccoli by placing the florets in a large bowl of water. Allow them to soak for a couple minutes and stir them with your fingers. Transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water. Allow them to dry while you prepare the rest of the salad.
How to Make Peanut Sauce for the Salad
This peanut butter sauce couldn't be easier to make. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of each rice vinegar, lime juice, and soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons of each granulated sugar and sesame oil. Finely grated 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger and 1 clove of garlic. Once combined, add 3 tablespoons of water.
How to Assemble and Style our Broccoli Salad
For the most visually appealing results, we dress the cabbage and broccoli separately. This allows the cabbage to maintain its colour better and give additional height to the salad. For plating, spread a couple tablespoons of the peanut butter sauce on each plate. Top with a handful of dressed broccoli and a handful of cabbage on top of that. Garnish with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds.
Shop the Tools and Ingredients to Make Our Broccoli Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing
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Easy Broccoli Salad with Peanut Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli cut into small florets (6 cups)
- ½ head red cabbage shredded (2 cups)
- ½ cup peanut butter smooth or crunchy
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 3 tbsp water
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli into small florets, clean and place in a large bowl. Shred the red cabbage and place in a medium bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic. Stir in the water.
- Pour about half the dressing over the broccoli and quarter of the dressing over the cabbage. Toss each separately until well coated.
- To serve, spread 1-2 tablespoons of peanut sauce on the bottom of each salad plate. Top with dressed broccoli then top the broccoli with a handful of cabbage. Garnish with a sprinkling of peanuts and sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Julie McDougall says
I tried this last night and absolutely loved it. I love the kick of ginger and the red cabbage surely makes this a beautiful salad.
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Julie. You eat with your eyes first so we're glad you appreciate the beauty of the cabbage. Thanks for trying the salad and leaving a comment.
Thera says
Delicious and so presentable!
Chef Sous Chef says
Thanks Thera, it's definitely a feast for the eyes!