Enjoy a quick, no-fuss vegetable side with this broccolini salad. Tender broccolini meets a savory sesame dressing for a healthy, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for dinners, lunches, or picnics.
Broccolini Salad Recipe 🥦
I like to have a repertoire of quick and easy vegetable dishes I can depend on whenever I’m short on time, and this broccolini salad with sesame dressing is one of those dishes. It’s a deceptively simple way to prepare broccolini that delivers big flavors yet hardly takes any time or effort; a no-fuss vegetable side you can put together with just a handful of pantry ingredients.
Broccolini is a favorite at my house, and we enjoy it regularly. If your kids or anyone in your household isn’t a big fan of broccoli, give broccolini a try instead; its milder, sweeter taste is sure to win them over.
In this broccolini salad, tender broccolini is tossed in a savory sesame dressing for a healthy salad or side dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or summer picnics. Once you try it, this will become your go-to broccolini salad recipe.
💚 Why You’ll Love This Broccolini Salad
- Tangy and savory sesame dressing
- Quick and healthy
- Versatile for lunch, dinner, picnics, or meal prep
- Easy to customize
For more fresh and simple seasonal dishes, browse my roundup of recipes with spring vegetables.
🥦 What is Broccolini?
You might be wondering, “What exactly is broccolini?” While broccoli, broccolini, and broccoli rabe have similar names, they are distinct vegetables. Broccolini is often confused with broccoli rabe, so here’s the difference:
Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (gai lan). It has thin, long stalks with a few leaves and loose florets at the top. The stalks are tender and can be eaten without peeling, and the flavor is mild and slightly sweet. It’s incredibly versatile, you can use broccolini anywhere you’d use broccoli.
Broccoli rabe, in contrast, is mostly leaves with just a few small florets. It has a distinctly bitter taste and is usually prepared like dark leafy greens.
I particularly love broccolini when paired with an Asian-inspired sesame dressing. The bold flavors of sesame and garlic complement its mild, mellow taste, making it a perfect side salad for everyday meals, picnics, or summer barbecue; it even stands up well to being dressed ahead of time.
🌟 What Makes this Broccolini Salad Stand Out
What makes this broccolini salad a go-to side is how easy it is to prepare. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, you get tender broccolini coated in a vibrant, savory Asian-inspired sesame dressing.
The combination of sesame oil, coconut aminos, garlic, and red pepper flakes gives the salad a bold, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor, while the simple prep keeps it fast and fuss-free. Perfect for weeknight dinners, quick lunches, or a make-ahead side for picnics and gatherings.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 🥦 Broccolini – Firm, bright green stalks with tight florets. Trim ends and steam until crisp-tender.
- 🫒 Sesame Oil – Use toasted sesame oil for nutty depth.
- 🫒 Olive Oil – Mild-flavored olive oil balances the sesame.
- 🥥 Coconut Aminos – Gluten-free, soy-free alternative to soy sauce. Can also substitute tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- 🍎 Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds acidity and brightness.
- 🥥 Coconut Sugar – Sweetens the dressing naturally; maple syrup works as a substitute.
- 🧄 Garlic – Finely grated for a punch of flavor.
- 🌶️ Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a touch of heat.
- 🌱 Sesame Seeds – Raw or toasted for crunch and garnish.
👩🍳 How to Make Sesame Broccolini Salad 🥗
1. Make the Sesame Dressing:
Combine sesame oil, olive oil, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, coconut sugar, grated garlic, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds in a small jar. Shake or whisk until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Prepare the Broccolini:
Trim the stems and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch broccolini until crisp-tender (1–2 minutes), then transfer to an ice bath. Drain and pat dry.
3. Assemble the Salad:
Arrange broccolini on a platter and drizzle with sesame dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly.
4. Serve or Chill:
Enjoy immediately or let it sit so the broccolini absorbs more dressing — leftovers are equally delicious.
Tip: Both the dressing and broccolini can be made ahead to save time.
⭐ Tips for the Best Broccolini Salad
- Don’t overcook; broccolini should remain crisp-tender
- Toast sesame seeds for extra flavor
- Dress just before serving to maintain texture
- Adjust sweetness and spice to taste
- Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled
🔄 Variations to Try
- Substitute Broccoli: Use regular broccoli for a similar flavor
- Add More Veggies: Snow peas, snap peas, or asparagus
- Swap Coconut Aminos: Gluten-free tamari or gluten-free soy sauce works as an alternative
- Change Vinegar: Try unseasoned rice vinegar
- Sweetener Swap: Maple syrup instead of coconut sugar
🍽️ What to Serve With Broccolini Salad
- Light Meals: Rice bowls, noodles, or grain salads
- Picnics & Potlucks: Stands up well for make-ahead sides
❓ FAQs About Broccolini Salad
Can it be made ahead?
Yes. Keep dressing separate until ready to serve for best results.
Raw or cooked broccolini?
Steamed or blanched broccolini is best for this salad.
How long does it last?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
✨ Final Thoughts
This broccolini salad is light, healthy, and bold with flavor. Tender broccolini meets an Asian-inspired sesame dressing for a versatile side or make-ahead salad. Quick to prepare, healthy and perfect for any meal, this salad will become a go-to recipe!
More Broccolini Recipes:
Broccolini Salad
Discover a delicious and easy way to prepare broccolini with this easy and flavorful broccolini salad recipe. Perfect for busy days, this sesame broccolini salad is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 bunches of broccolini, stems trimmed and sliced lengthwise if thick.
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml coconut aminos
- 1 Tablespoon/15ml apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons/10ml toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons/10ml extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1 small clove of garlic, finely grated
- ⅛th teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water, set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the broccolini for about 1-2 minutes, until bright green and just tender.
- Strain the broccolini and plunge in cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and dry well on a clean kitchen towel.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, coconut sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.
- Place the broccolini on a platter and pour sesame dressing over the top. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Notes
Variations:
- Substitute regular broccoli for the broccolini.
- Add snow peas, snap peas or asparagus.
- Use gluten-free tamari instead of the coconut aminos. (Note: gluten-free tamari is made from soy and rice.)
- Use coconut vinegar or un-seasoned rice vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar.
- Use maple syrup instead of coconut sugar.
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 111Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
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