Skip to main content

Broccoli-Quinoa Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

4.1

(8)

Image may contain Plant Cabbage Food Vegetable Kale and Produce
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott

If you're ever cornered by a bland bowl of vegetables or whole grains, throw a handful of herbs on it. They instantly make the meal more beautiful and flavorful—without adding any salt, fat, or sugar.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

Buttermilk dressing

¾ cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (or more) fine sea salt

Salad

1 shallot, finely chopped
2 small heads of broccoli, cut into bite-size florets
Kosher salt
1 cup white, red, or black quinoa
½ cup coarsely chopped parsley
¼ cup coarsely chopped tarragon
¼ cup coarsely chopped pistachios

Preparation

  1. Buttermilk Dressing

    Step 1

    Whisk buttermilk, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, rice vinegar, pepper, and 1 tsp. sea salt in a medium bowl. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

    Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.

  2. Salad

    Step 2

    Stir together shallot and 2 Tbsp. buttermilk dressing in a small bowl and set aside.

    Step 3

    Cook broccoli in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer broccoli to a bowl of ice water; let cool. Drain and place on a kitchen towel–lined baking sheet.

    Step 4

    Meanwhile, return water in pot to a boil and cook quinoa until slightly al dente, about 12 minutes; drain. Toss quinoa and 2 Tbsp. buttermilk dressing in a large bowl to coat; season with salt. Let cool.

    Step 5

    Add dressed shallot, broccoli, parsley, tarragon, pistachios, and 2 Tbsp. buttermilk dressing to quinoa and toss to combine. Season with more salt if needed.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 380 Fat (g) 22 Saturated Fat (g) 3.5 Cholesterol (mg) 5 Carbohydrates (g) 37 Dietary Fiber (g) 6 Total Sugars (g) 6 Protein (g) 11 Sodium (mg) 660
Read More
Elegant enough for a dinner party centerpiece, sturdy enough to take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
All pizza toppings welcome, especially pickled peppers, olives, maybe an anchovy or 10.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Bathe greens and chickpeas in a garlicky, tomato-enhanced broth. Stretch a block of Halloumi by grating and toasting it into a topping for the soup.
A game-day hero featuring focaccia slathered with Calabrian chili aioli, piled high with cooked steak, melted cheese, peppers, and onions.
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Learn how to make salmon en papillote (parchment paper salmon) with spring vegetables and a bright lemon-dill vinaigrette for an elegant, fuss-free meal.
Practical to make and feels like a total flex.