This crunchy roasted broccoli salad with pine nuts and feta is full of flavor in every bite! This salad provides a unique taste with the subtleness of the oregano and feta cheese. With so many fantastic ingredients in this broccoli salad...this one will quickly become a family favorite!
I feel like I've been talking a lot about the weather here lately on my blog but ya'll, I can't help it. It's just so gorgeous here in Arizona right now! You have no idea...well unless you live here, of course. When it starts warming up outside, I get inspired to make new springtime recipes and this one is perfect right now for our Arizona weather! It's still chilly outside at night, but during the day it's nice and warm in the direct sunlight. This broccoli salad with pine nuts and feta cheese is perfect for the beginning of spring weather because of the ingredients in the salad. Let me explain that concept so I don't confuse you. The hint of oregano is a more robust tasting spice, which is perfect for cooler weather. When you pair oregano with the roasted pine nuts and feta cheese, it makes for a spicier, more full taste on the palette. The nutmeg in the homemade dressing also helps pull in that winter taste. You know what I'm talking about, right?
Ok, but then I confuse things by adding in the crispy kale, crunchy broccoli stems and dried cranberries. I swear this salad starts screaming, "take me to a picnic!" And how pretty is this salad? I mean, look at those colors in the broccoli, kale and dried cranberries! I may just go make me a bowl to eat while I finish writing up this blog post!
This recipe is really easy to make and it is inspired by Taylor Farms. I just love their healthy and fresh vegetables! I started out making this broccoli salad by combining the raw broccoli, pine nuts, avocado oil and oregano in a large bowl until all the ingredients are well coated. I baked the broccoli mixture on a silipat (you can use a lined cookie sheet) in the oven on 425 for about 7 minutes; just long enough to let the broccoli, nuts, oil and seasonings warm up and nicely toast. Once the broccoli mixture is out of the oven, you'll let it cool in a bowl on the countertop while you make the dressing.
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Once you whisk all the salad dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl, you'll mix to coat with the broccoli salad ingredients including the fresh kale, feta cheese and dried cranberries. You'll want to make sure your salad has completely chilled before you add in the dressing and the feta so the feta cheese doesn't start to melt in the salad! From there, let this salad chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Take advantage of this break...catch up on emails, watch a couple of your favorite shows. Kick those feet up and rest a bit!
I do want to point out this is probably one of the only salads I've ever made that completely changes its taste when chilled. I was shocked at the taste difference in this chilled salad! It's so yummy and full of flavor! I honestly can't choose which ingredient makes this salad because they all pair so perfectly together! One of my favorite main dishes to pair this broccoli salad with is my 10 Garlic Clove Marinated Grilled Steak. You want to talk about a perfect dinner...go check that recipe out!
You know me by now... yep, this broccoli salad is gluten free! All natural ingredients and super clean! And this broccoli salad recipe is super simple to make. Don't we all need a little more simple in our lives? I know I do! Enjoy this one and Happy Eats!
Roasted Broccoli Salad with Pine Nuts and Feta
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped in bite size pieces
- 2 cups kale, raw and chopped in bite sized pieces
- 1 cup pine nuts, raw
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
Salad Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the raw broccoli, pine nuts, avocado oil and oregano until all ingredients are mixed well.
- Pour the broccoli mixture onto a silipat or cookie sheet lined with foil and roast in the oven for 7 minutes.
- Remove from oven and transfer broccoli contents to a bowl and set aside to cool for about 20 minutes.
Dressing Instructions:
- While the salad is cooling, go ahead and make the salad dressing. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, olive oil, garlic, nutmeg and pepper. Whisk until well blended and set aside.
- Once the salad is cool, mix in the fresh chopped kale, dried cranberries and feta cheese into the large bowl of broccoli mixture.
- Toss the salad with the desired amount of dressing.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
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Julie
I love this fresh take on winter vegetables! (Well, I guess broccoli isn't really a winter vegetable, but it's one that is easy to access year round in the grocery store.) We're big broccoli and kale fans, so this is right up our alley.
Amanda Mason
Thanks! It's a good one!!
prasanna hede
This is so beautiful salad! Plus loved that you added pine nuts,cranberries and nutmeg too.
Amanda Mason
Thanks! It's super yummy too!
Ben Myhre
Some great and bold flavors in this salad. Looks awesome.
Amanda Mason
Thanks, Ben!!!!
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
Your homemade dressing sounds so good! And I agree, the salad would be perfect with a garlicky steak.
Amanda Mason
And soup - this one goes well with soup!!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
Yuuummm! I love when pine nuts and feta are matched together. And paired together in this salad? Even better!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! I hope you enjoy!!
Helene
I have never paired roasted pine nuts with oregano and feta cheese. now this is something new for me to try! I love broccoli salads and feta too so I can imagine this being a filling lunch salad. Or I would serve it maybe with some kind of baked chicken dish at the side and some couscous. 🙂
Amanda Mason
Yeah this is definately a side salad to a meal and not an eat alone salad.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
What a great looking salad. Some of my favourite things in there....and I love the flavour combination happening too.
Amanda Mason
Thanks! Yes - the flavor combo is pretty amazing!
Jessica Robinson
Loving all of the ingredients in this salad! They sound so flavorful and love the dried cranberries!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! I hope you enjoy!
Carol Borchardt
Looks great! This is definitely my kind of salad. Love all the ingredients!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! Enjoy!!!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
I'm so jealous of the weather you are having. We got more snow today. Hummmpf. This salad does remind me of springtime though. It's looks delicious and beautiful!
Amanda Mason
Yes, it's beautiful weather here in AZ!! Almost springtime!!