Crunchy broccoli salad with speck (TM6)
Crunchy broccoli salad with speck is a fresh side combining blanched broccoli florets, crispy fried speck, sunflower seeds and cashews in a creamy mayonnaise-yoghurt dressing. The Thermomix chops the onion, celery and parsley in seconds and emulsifies a silky dressing, so this restaurant-style salad comes together quickly and consistently.
About this recipe
Crunchy broccoli salad with speck on the Thermomix TM7 is one of those recipes that proves an all-in-one kitchen machine belongs in your salad repertoire. Instead of hand-chopping celery, onion and parsley while tears stream down your face, the TM7 blade does it all in seconds, leaving you free to toast the sunflower seeds and cashews until golden. The dressing is where this recipe truly shines: mayonnaise and natural yoghurt whipped into a velvety, tangy coating that clings to every bright green floret, with speck crisped until its smoky edges shatter. Looking for broccoli salad recipes that work as a quick weeknight side or a showstopper for a summer barbecue? This one delivers crunch from nuts, seeds and celery against soft broccoli, balanced by salty, savoury speck. It is also an excellent make-ahead option: the flavours deepen after an hour in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prep or bringing to a potluck.
Preparation tips
- Cut the broccoli into small, even florets so they cook uniformly and stay slightly crisp; rinse them in cold water immediately after blanching to keep that vivid green colour and prevent overcooking.
- Toast the sunflower seeds and cashews in a dry pan until they smell nutty, and add them only just before serving so their crunch survives the creamy mayonnaise and yoghurt dressing.
- Fry the speck until properly crisp and drain it on kitchen paper before crumbling; if you prefer a lighter version, replace half the mayonnaise with extra natural yoghurt and a squeeze of lemon.
Recipe variations
- Vegetarian variation: omit the speck and add smoked almonds or crispy fried halloumi cubes for a similar salty, smoky bite that pairs beautifully with the cashews and sunflower seeds.
- Festive seasonal variation: swap the natural yoghurt dressing for one with a spoonful of wholegrain mustard and honey, and add dried cranberries and thin slices of red apple in autumn for a colourful holiday buffet salad.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Chopping precision - The Thermomix chops the celery and onion in seconds into fine, even pieces without tears. [Chopping]. [Precision Control]
- Silky dressing - The TM7 mixes mayonnaise and natural yoghurt into a velvety, lump-free dressing. [Mixing]. [Multi-Function]
- Built-in scale - Weigh the sunflower seeds and cashews directly in the mixing bowl with the Thermomix scale. [Weighing]. [Built-in Scale]
- Gentle cooking - Precise temperature control of the Thermomix blanches the broccoli while keeping it vividly green. [Heating]. [Precision Control]
- Grating ease - The Thermomix grates a small piece of onion finely so the dressing gains flavour without chunks. [Grating]. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil
- speck
- sunflower seeds
- raw cashews
- fresh parsley
- celery stalk
- red onion
- broccoli
- mayonnaise
- natural yoghurt