If you’re a fan of Caesar salad but want something a little lighter, this Broccoli Caesar Salad is the perfect choice! The broccoli is fresh and crunchy, the homemade high-protein Caesar dressing is creamy and tangy, and the lemony garlic breadcrumbs add the best crunch. Plus, it’s packed with flavor and so easy to make! I love using Wonderful Seedless Lemons for this salad because they’re naturally seedless and super juicy, making the recipe a breeze to prepare. Trust me, you’ve never had a Caesar salad like this!

Method

Prep the Broccoli

Start by washing and thoroughly drying the broccoli. Cut off the florets, ensuring to leave as little stem as possible. The smaller you can cut the broccoli, the better, as it helps with even coating of the dressing. Once chopped, transfer the florets to a large bowl and set aside for now.

Make the Dressing

Next, prepare the creamy Caesar dressing. In a blender, combine the Wonderful Seedless Lemon juice and zest, cottage cheese, olive oil, grated Parmigiano, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and feel free to adjust the seasoning add a little more salt, lemon juice, or pepper for extra tang or kick if needed!

Make the Breadcrumbs

For the crunchy topping, heat olive oil in a small pan over low heat. Add the mashed garlic and cook for about one minute, just enough to bring out the garlic’s fragrance. Then, add the panko breadcrumbs and Wonderful Seedless Lemon zest. Stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes until the breadcrumbs become golden brown and crispy, but be careful not to let them burn. Once golden, add a pinch of salt and remove from the heat. Set the breadcrumbs aside to cool slightly.

Assemble the Salad

Now it’s time to assemble the salad. Pour the creamy Caesar dressing over the broccoli florets, making sure to coat every piece evenly. Add the freshly grated Parmigiano cheese on top of the broccoli, and then sprinkle the lemony garlic breadcrumbs. Toss everything together well to combine all the ingredients, and your salad is ready to serve!

Necessary Tools

Large bowl for the broccoli
Blender or food processor
Small pan for sautéing the breadcrumbs
Knife & cutting board
Grater for the Parmigiano Reggiano
Measuring spoons and cups
Spatula or spoon for tossing

Broccoli Caesar Salad with Lemony Breadcrumbs (Fresh, Creamy & Protein-Packed!)

Recipe by Troy Jorge

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

For the Broccoli:
1 ½ – 2 lbs broccoli florets (3 10-oz packages or two large bunches)
For the High Protein Caesar Dressing:
1 tbsp Wonderful Seedless Lemon juice
1 Wonderful Seedless Lemon, zested
½ cup cottage cheese
3 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
¾ tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp anchovy paste
¼ tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper
⅛ tsp cayenne
For the Wonderful Seedless Lemon Garlic Breadcrumbs:
1 Wonderful Seedless Lemon, zested
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, mashed
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
Pinch of salt
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Directions

Prep the Broccoli:
First, wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli. Cut off the florets, leaving as little stem as possible. The smaller you can cut the broccoli, the better! Transfer the florets to a large bowl and set aside.
Make the Dressing:
Next, make the creamy Caesar dressing. Add the Wonderful Seedless Lemon juice and zest, cottage cheese, olive oil, grated Parmigiano, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, salt, pepper, and cayenne to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and adjust if needed maybe a little more salt or lemon for extra tang!
Make the Breadcrumbs:
For the crunchy topping, heat olive oil in a small pan over low heat. Add the mashed garlic and cook for about a minute. Then, add the panko breadcrumbs and Wonderful Seedless Lemon zest. Stir for 1-2 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Add a pinch of salt and remove from heat. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad:
Now, it’s time to bring everything together! Pour the Caesar dressing over the broccoli florets and toss well until everything is coated. Add the freshly grated Parmigiano on top and then sprinkle the lemony garlic breadcrumbs. Toss again to mix everything up, and your salad is ready to serve!

Notes

Be careful when sautéing the breadcrumbs, they can burn quickly, so stir constantly.
If your dressing seems too thick, add a little water or extra lemon juice to thin it out.
Make sure to coat the broccoli well with the dressing for full flavor in every bite.
Let the breadcrumbs cool slightly before adding them to the salad to keep them crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on top for a little extra brightness.
Enjoy with a side of warm pita bread or crackers for a full meal.
Great as a side dish for a BBQ or dinner with family and friends.

Fun Fact

Did you know that Wonderful Seedless Lemons are 100% naturally seedless and way juicier than regular lemons? They make cooking so much easier because you don’t have to worry about seeds!

Conclusion

This Broccoli Caesar Salad with Lemony Breadcrumbs is a fresh, healthy twist on the classic Caesar salad. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor thanks to the miso-infused dressing and crunchy, lemony breadcrumbs. Whether you make it for lunch, dinner, or a side dish, it’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. I promise you’ll love how easy it is to make and how much flavor it brings to the table!