Easy Michael Symon Charred Broccoli Salad Recipe: Fresh & Zesty

Michael Symon’s charred broccoli salad transforms ordinary green vegetables into a mouthwatering experience that challenges everything you know about side dishes.

Crisp florets dance with unexpected flavor combinations, creating a sensational culinary journey that awakens your taste buds.

Robust ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a sophisticated twist on traditional vegetable preparations.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe bridges the gap between healthy eating and pure gastronomic pleasure.

Carefully selected components elevate a simple vegetable into an extraordinary dining adventure.

The recipe promises a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes that will surprise and delight you.

Each bite tells a delicious story of technique and creativity: get ready to revolutionize your salad game.

Charred Broccoli Salad: Why You’ll Crave It

• Unleash Charred Perfection: Transform ordinary broccoli into a mouthwatering salad with deep, caramelized flavors that bring out the vegetable's natural sweetness and complexity.
• Quick and Effortless Culinary Magic: Prepare a restaurant-quality dish in just 25 minutes using simple techniques that elevate broccoli from boring side dish to star attraction.
• Texture Sensation Symphony: Enjoy a delightful contrast of crispy charred edges, tender broccoli core, crunchy nuts, and soft sweet dates that dance together in every single bite.
• Balanced Flavor Explosion: Experience a remarkable blend of sweet, bitter, sour, and savory notes that create a complete taste experience without overwhelming the palate.

Charred & Delicious: Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli: Fresh vegetable with firm stalks and green florets, perfect for charring and creating depth of flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural taste of broccoli and balance other ingredients.
• Olive Oil: High-quality extra-virgin oil for cooking and dressing, adds richness and helps develop golden brown color.

• Dates: Sweet, chewy fruit that provides natural sweetness and texture contrast to the charred broccoli.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy cheese that adds creamy and salty elements to the salad.
• Nuts: Crunchy addition that introduces nutty flavor and provides textural complexity.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that helps balance the charred and bitter notes of the broccoli.

Putting It All Together: Broccoli Salad

Step 1: Prepare Broccoli

Trim the woody ends of broccoli stalks. Separate broccoli heads from stems, then carefully peel the stems and slice them in half lengthwise.

Step 2: Cut Broccoli Pieces

Divide broccoli heads by cutting them in half through the crown. You’ll end up with 8 total pieces (4 stalk halves and 4 crown halves).

Step 3: Season Broccoli

Place broccoli pieces in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Pan

Place a large cast-iron pan on medium-high heat. Add of oil, swirling to coat the entire pan surface.

Step 5: Char Broccoli

Arrange broccoli pieces cut-side down in the pan. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until bottoms turn golden brown. The broccoli should remain crunchy – test with a cake tester or toothpick for firm resistance.

Step 6: Finish Charring

Carefully flip broccoli heads to brown the rounded sides for 1 minute. Transfer to a cutting board.

Step 7: Chop and Mix Ingredients

• Chopped dates
• Shaved cheddar cheese
• Chopped nuts

Step 8: Dress the Salad

Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and honey over the mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients.

Step 9: Final Seasoning

Taste and adjust seasonings. The salad should balance crunchy, sweet, bitter, and sour flavors. Add additional salt and pepper if needed.

Tips for a Flavorful Char

• Char Wisely: Use high heat and minimal oil to create perfect broccoli char without burning.
• Herb Magic: Crush fresh herbs directly onto the salad to release maximum flavor and aroma.
• Customize Crunch: Toast nuts like almonds or pine nuts briefly to amplify their nutty essence and add texture.
• Temperature Trick: Let broccoli cool slightly after charring to prevent wilting delicate salad greens.
• Storage Secret: Keep dressed salad components separate until serving to maintain optimal crispness and prevent sogginess.

Storage Solutions for Smoky Greens

• Jar Method: Transfer cooled broccoli salad into glass mason jars with tight-fitting lids. Separate wet ingredients from crispy toppings to prevent sogginess, keeping crunch and texture intact for maximum flavor preservation.
• Compartment Container Method: Utilize multi-compartment food storage containers to keep ingredients separate. Divide salad components strategically, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining individual ingredient quality until ready to serve.
• Vacuum Sealing Method: Invest in a vacuum sealer for ultimate freshness extension. Remove air completely, preventing oxidation and bacterial growth, which significantly increases storage time and maintains the salad's original taste and texture.

Broccoli Salad Remix: Variations

• Mediterranean Broccoli Fusion: Replace cheddar with crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and swap honey for lemon juice and oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Asian Broccoli Crunch: Incorporate sesame oil, sriracha sauce, toasted sesame seeds, and swap dates with mandarin orange segments for a zesty Asian-inspired version.
• Smoky Southwestern Broccoli Mix: Add cotija cheese, roasted green chiles, chopped cilantro, and substitute honey with chipotle-infused agave for a bold southwestern kick.
• Nutty Autumn Broccoli Salad: Include roasted pumpkin seeds, maple syrup instead of honey, crumbled goat cheese, and sprinkle with dried cranberries for a seasonal warmth.

Final Crunch: Salad Conclusion

Culinary magic emerges from Michael Symon’s charred broccoli salad, where simple ingredients dance into extraordinary harmony.

Bold char marks whisper sophisticated technique, transforming humble vegetables into gourmet art.

Complex flavor profiles weave nutty, sweet, and tangy notes across each carefully crafted bite.

Bold textures crunch and mingle, creating sensory symphonies beyond typical salad expectations.

Seasonal ingredients become delightful storytellers, revealing kitchen creativity with minimal effort.

Prepare this masterpiece, savor its nuanced brilliance, share with friends, spread recipe joy, and inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts to embrace delicious adventure.

Michael Symon Charred Broccoli Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Michael Symon’s charred broccoli salad delivers a bold Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile with smoky roasted broccoli, tangy feta, and crunchy almonds. Robust ingredients combine in a quick, simple dish that brings restaurant-quality excitement to your home kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 broccoli heads (1 ½ pounds)
• 6 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
• 2 ounces sharp or aged cheddar, shaved
• ½ cup salted Marcona almonds, roughly chopped

Seasonings and Spices:

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper, freshly ground

Liquids and Dressing:

• 5 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon honey, plus more to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Carefully trim the fibrous, tough ends from the broccoli stalks, removing any discolored or dried sections.
2. Separate the broccoli florets from the main stem, then meticulously peel the stem’s outer layer and slice it lengthwise into symmetrical halves.
3. Divide the broccoli crowns into two equal portions by cutting directly through the center of each floret.
4. Arrange the broccoli pieces to create a total of eight uniform segments: four stalk halves and four crown halves.
5. Season the prepared broccoli pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even distribution.
6. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high temperature and add 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of extra-virgin olive oil.
7. Swirl the oil to create a complete coating across the pan’s surface, then carefully place the broccoli pieces cut-side down.
8. Allow the broccoli to roast undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes, developing a rich golden-brown caramelization while maintaining a crisp interior texture.
9. Gently rotate the broccoli pieces to briefly sear the rounded sides for approximately one minute, creating additional depth of flavor.
10. Transfer the roasted broccoli to a cutting board and let it cool until comfortable to handle.
11. Dice the cooled broccoli into precise 1/4-inch (6-millimeter) pieces and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.
12. Incorporate finely chopped dates, delicately shaved aged cheddar cheese, and roughly chopped toasted nuts into the broccoli mixture.
13. Drizzle with high-quality honey and the remaining 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of extra-virgin olive oil, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
14. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, aiming to achieve a harmonious balance of flavors – crisp, sweet, bitter, and tangy.

Notes

• Customize your crust by picking a store-bought version or crafting a flaky homemade base that highlights your culinary skills.
• Elevate flavor profiles by tossing in vibrant fresh herbs that transform each bite into a garden-fresh experience.
• Boost nutritional value and visual appeal by incorporating colorful sautéed vegetables that complement the creamy egg mixture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg