WW Freestyle Recipe of the Day: Broccoli Avocado Salad
This simple salad of lightly cooked broccoli and avocado tossed with a a simple vinaigrette makes for an easy healthy vegetarian lunch or satisfying side dish alongside grilled or roasted chicken or fish.
The contrasting textures of crunchy broccoli and creamy, soft avocado are a winning combination.
WW Broccoli Avocado Salad
The easy healthy broccoli recipe originates from my home in Provence, France. Avocados there come from as far away as Madagascar and Israel. We're luckier here in the states with both west and east coasts boasting great avocados that are shipped everywhere in the country.
Broccoli is relatively new to French markets. We were shocked and delighted to see it showing up in the produce stalls, marketplaces and supermarkets and quickly developed this recipe which uses the classical French vinaigrette to highlight the strong broccoli and delicate avocado flavors.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Salad?
According to my calculations each serving has 121 calories and
3 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
3 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
3 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
3 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
Recipe Notes
Back when it was first making its appearance in France, I had to teach a local at the local Tuesday market how to peel the outside stems of the broccoli and steam it until bright green and slightly crunchy.
Of course, prepared broccoli flowerets in plastic bags are ubiquitous everywhere in the USA. They are usually just fine when really fresh; the plus side of buying full crowns or broccoli heads though are those tasty, filled with nutrition stems. They can be cut on the diagonal, straight or chopped up and add a wonderful additional texture. The process is so easy!
Give it a try if you’ve only used the flowerets in the past.
My favorite way to cook broccoli is to steam it in the microwave for 3 to 6 minutes.
Herbs de Provence (affiliate link) is a seasoning blend featuring many of the herbs that grow most abundantly in southern France and that correspondingly get used in a lot of the cooking from that region. The blends are typically made from dried herbs and are meant to be an easy short-cut for seasoning dishes.
Which herbs get used and their exact ratio depends on the recipe and the cook, but the most basic blends include savory, rosemary, marjoram, and thyme.
Though less traditional, lavender buds are sometimes added, as are fennel seeds, sage, tarragon, and even orange zest. These days the spice section of most well stocked grocery stores sell Herbs de Provence (affiliate link).
If you prefer you can create a blend yourself: Basic DIY Herbs de Provence Recipe.
If you don't have Herbs de Provence (affiliate link), substitute Italian Seasoning blend.
Additions and Variations
Crunchier?
Add chopped almonds, raw, roasted or smoked for extra crunch.
Spicier?
Add dried red pepper flakes or chopped fresh jalapeno chiles.
Zestier?
Add more lemon juice, mustard, chopped olives, capers or roasted red peppers.
Heartier?
Add chopped cooked chicken, turkey, salmon or tuna.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve on it's own with Crusty Bread for a light Vegetarian lunch.
- Serve alongside roasted or grilled chicken, fish or steak.
- Turn this salad into a meal in a bowl by adding a cooked grain such as rice, quinoa, or pasta
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If you liked this broccoli avocado salad, be sure to check out my other WW friendly recipes including skinny broccoli salad with grapes, broccoli cheese muffins, sheet pan roasted shrimp and broccoli and slow cooker roasted broccoli
If you've made this Broccoli Salad with Avocado, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Healthy Broccoli Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence (affiliate link)
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
- 1 large avocado, cubed
- 4 cups broccoli, lightly cooked
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, mustard, olive oil and Herbs de Provence (affiliate link).
- Add the avocado and broccoli and stir gently to thoroughly mix. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Serve this at room temperature.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
More Easy Healthy WW Broccoli Salad Recipes
- My Favorite Skinny Broccoli Salad with Grapes
- Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Capers & Lemon Vinaigrette (SkinnyTaste)
- Light Broccoli Summer Salad (LaaLoosh)
- Healthy Chicken & Broccoli Salad with Parmesan Dressing (Hungry Girl)
- Curried Broccoli Salad (Slender Kitchen)
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Hallie is a chef-teacher who eventually found her way to Provence, France, where she gave food and wine tours of the region.
In addition to writing more than a dozen cookbooks, she has also been teaching both professional and recreational cooking classes since 1978.
Hallie looks forward to sharing some of her favorite easy, healthy recipes with you here on Simple Nourished Living.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Anne
Delicious and healthy. I like the options for making it more or less spicy etc. and serving suggestions
Martha McKinnon
Thanks Anne. I appreciate you taking the time to let us know!
Jim
This is now a new favourite recipe of mine. very delicious.