If you’re craving a salad that’s crunchy, vibrant, and bursting with delightful flavors, you simply must try this Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe. It takes humble ingredients and transforms them into a sensational dish that’s perfect for a quick lunch, a potluck favorite, or a refreshing side to your dinner. With every bite, you get the nuttiness of cashews, the zing of a perfectly balanced dressing, and the satisfying crunch of ramen noodles combined with crisp broccoli slaw. Trust me, this salad isn’t just food; it’s a celebration of textures and tastes that’s easy to whip up and impossible to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these key ingredients is the first step to creating your Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe masterpiece. Each one plays an essential role—from adding crunch and sweetness to delivering freshness and a touch of tang that makes this salad unforgettable.
- Broccoli slaw (2 bags, 12 ounces each): The foundation of the salad, providing a crisp, nutritious crunch and vibrant green color.
- Ramen noodles (3 packs, 3.5 ounces each, flavor packets discarded): Adds that irresistible crispy texture; breaking them up by hand keeps the salad rustic and fun.
- Roasted cashews (3/4 cup): Offering a rich, buttery crunch that complements the salad’s freshness beautifully.
- Dried cranberries (1/2 cup): A pop of sweet-tart flavor that brightens the overall palette perfectly.
- Chopped scallions (1/3 cup): Lends a mild oniony bite and fresh green notes to elevate every forkful.
- Olive oil (1/2 cup): The base of the dressing that adds smoothness and richness.
- Toasted sesame oil (1/2 teaspoon): Provides a delicate, nutty aroma that rounds out the dressing’s complexity.
- Rice vinegar (3 tablespoons): Delivers gentle acidity to balance flavors and keep the salad lively.
- Soy sauce (1/2 tablespoon): Adds a subtle savory depth that ties all ingredients together.
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon, packed): Sweetens the dressing just enough to enhance all the other flavors without overpowering.
How to Make Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
Start by adding the olive oil, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar into a jar. Secure the lid tightly and give it a vigorous shake to make sure the sugar fully dissolves. This simple yet flavorful dressing is what brings the salad to life with its perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and nuttiness.
Step 2: Break Up the Ramen Noodles
Using your hands, gently break the ramen noodles into bite-sized pieces right in their dry form. Don’t worry about making the pieces uniform; the variety in size adds to the rustic charm and texture. This step ensures that every forkful has that signature crispy bite that makes this salad so addictive.
Step 3: Combine the Salad Ingredients
In a large bowl, toss together the broccoli slaw, broken ramen noodles, roasted cashews, dried cranberries, and chopped scallions. Each ingredient adds its own layer of texture and flavor, coming together as a colorful and crunchy medley that’s simply irresistible.
Step 4: Dress and Toss the Salad
Give the dressing one final shake and pour it over the salad mixture. Toss everything thoroughly so every piece is coated in that delicious dressing. While you can dive right in, letting the salad sit for about 15-20 minutes allows the noodles to soften slightly without losing their satisfying crunch — a personal preference for many who love this Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe.
How to Serve Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe visually and flavor-wise, consider sprinkling extra chopped cashews on top for added crunch and a few fresh scallion rings for a burst of color. A light sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds can also enhance the nutty notes in the dressing beautifully.
Side Dishes
This salad partners wonderfully with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or even a light tofu stir-fry. The freshness and texture contrast of the salad play nicely against warm, savory mains. For a vegetarian meal, serve alongside some sticky jasmine rice or vegetable spring rolls for a vibrant feast.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting a party, consider serving the Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe in individual clear glass jars or small bowls to showcase its colorful layers. Alternatively, serve it atop crisp lettuce leaves or edible cups made from baked wontons for an elegant and fun bite-sized option your guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover salad in an airtight container and refrigerate. Because of the ramen noodles, it’s best to consume within 2 days to enjoy the optimal texture and flavor before the noodles become too soft.
Freezing
This salad is not ideal for freezing as the fresh vegetables and ramen noodles will lose their crispness upon thawing, resulting in a soggy texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated short-term.
Reheating
Since this is a cold salad, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. Simply take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 10 minutes if you prefer it less chilled before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use fresh broccoli instead of broccoli slaw?
Absolutely! If you prefer fresh broccoli, finely chop or grate it to mimic the texture of broccoli slaw. Just ensure the pieces are small enough to blend well with the other ingredients.
Is there a way to make this salad gluten-free?
Yes, to make it gluten-free, swap out the ramen noodles for a gluten-free crunchy alternative like toasted gluten-free pretzel sticks or gluten-free crunchy noodles. Also, confirm that the soy sauce you use is gluten-free.
Can I prepare the dressing in advance?
Definitely! The dressing can be mixed and refrigerated up to a week in advance. Just give it a shake before dressing the salad to re-emulsify the ingredients.
What’s the purpose of discarding the ramen flavor packets?
The flavor packets are usually quite salty and sometimes overpowering for this kind of salad. The homemade dressing complements the flavors better and keeps everything balanced and fresh.
Can I add other nuts or dried fruits?
Of course! Feel free to experiment with almonds, pecans, or walnuts instead of cashews. For dried fruit, raisins or chopped apricots make fabulous alternatives to cranberries and add different sweet notes.
Final Thoughts
This Broccoli Ramen Salad Recipe is one of those rare dishes that feels like a special treat but is surprisingly simple to make anytime. I encourage you to embrace the fun textures, bright flavors, and easy preparation it offers. Whether you’re making it for a family meal, a get-together, or just because, this salad is guaranteed to become a new favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy every crunchy, tangy bite!
