Charred Broccoli Caesar Salad

If you’re navigating breakouts and feel like you’ve tried everything from expensive serums to cutting out entire food groups, you’re not alone. Many women come to us feeling frustrated, confused, and defeated, especially when it comes to food and acne. That’s why we created this Charred Broccoli Caesar Salad, a skin-friendly take on a classic favourite that proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavour to support clear, glowing skin.

Let’s clear the air: food is not the enemy. But when your skin is sending signals like persistent breakouts, it’s worth exploring whether certain ingredients might be contributing to inflammation, hormone imbalances, or gut stress. That doesn’t mean cutting everything out. It means making smart, supportive swaps that love your body and your skin back.

And that’s exactly what this Charred Broccoli Caesar Salad does. It gives you all the creamy, crunchy, flavor-packed satisfaction of a traditional Caesar, but with ingredients that are more aligned with clear, glowing skin. Let’s dig in.

Why Traditional Caesar Salad Isn’t Always Skin-Friendly

We all love a good Caesar. It’s comforting, savory, and feels like the “fancy” salad you order at brunch. But when we break down the typical ingredient list, a few things stand out that might be less than ideal for acne-prone skin.

1. Dairy-Based Dressings

Classic Caesar dressing is usually loaded with dairy, especially from Parmesan cheese and creamy bases like mayonnaise or sour cream. For many women, especially those dealing with hormonal or cystic acne, dairy can be inflammatory. It may disrupt gut health, increase insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and stimulate oil glands, all of which can lead to more breakouts.

This doesn’t mean dairy is “bad” or that everyone needs to eliminate it forever. But if you’re noticing stubborn acne, it can be helpful to experiment with dairy-free alternatives and see how your skin responds. The dressing in this salad is made from hemp hearts, which are rich in skin-supportive omega-3 fats and completely dairy-free.

2. Refined Croutons

Croutons are delicious, but they’re usually made from refined white bread and fried in inflammatory oils. Refined carbs can cause blood sugar spikes, which increase insulin and can lead to more oil production and clogged pores. Plus, they tend to feed the less-beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can create more internal inflammation, a key trigger in chronic breakouts.

Instead of croutons, this recipe uses toasted almonds or cashews for crunch and healthy fats. These nuts also offer zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E, nutrients your skin absolutely loves.

3. Processed Oils

Store-bought dressings and even many restaurant versions of Caesar salad rely on low-quality oils like canola, soybean, or vegetable oil. These are high in omega-6 fats, which when consumed in excess, can contribute to systemic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is one of the biggest root causes of adult acne, especially the kind that shows up around the jawline, cheeks, or chin.

In this recipe, we use olive oil and avocado oil, both rich in monounsaturated fats that support healthy hormones and reduce inflammation.

Reimagining Caesar Salad for Clear, Radiant Skin

Let’s be honest, most “healthy” spins on comfort food miss the mark. But this Charred Broccoli Caesar Salad is different. It’s bold, creamy, and deeply satisfying. No sacrifice, no compromise, just real ingredients that taste amazing and support your skin in the process.

Built with nutrient-dense, skin-loving foods, this salad delivers on both flavor and function. And the star? Broccoli: roasted until crispy and caramelized, adds depth and crunch that takes Caesar salad to a whole new level.

Paired with a creamy, dairy-free hemp dressing and crunchy toasted nuts, it’s a craveable combo that leaves you feeling nourished and confident. Because healthy food doesn’t have to be boring, and it definitely shouldn’t taste like cardboard.

Why Broccoli Is a Skin-Clearing Superfood

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. These veggies are especially powerful for women dealing with hormonal acne or inflammatory breakouts.

Here’s what makes broccoli so beneficial for your skin:

Supports Natural Detox Pathways

Cruciferous vegetables contain compounds like sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which support liver detoxification. This matters because your liver helps process and clear out excess hormones, including estrogen. When your detox pathways are sluggish, your body may recycle old hormones, contributing to imbalances that show up on your skin.

Balances Estrogen

Hormonal acne is often tied to imbalanced estrogen levels, especially when estrogen dominance is at play. The compounds in broccoli help your body metabolize and eliminate excess estrogen more efficiently, which can reduce hormonal breakouts along the jawline, chin, and neck.

Feeds the Gut (And the Glow)

Broccoli is high in fiber, which supports healthy digestion and regular elimination. When the gut is working well, toxins are cleared from the body more effectively, and the immune system stays calm. Since the gut and skin are closely connected, supporting digestion can have a direct impact on skin clarity.

Provides Skin-Loving Nutrients

Broccoli is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which supports collagen production, and vitamin A, which helps with skin cell turnover. It’s also anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for calming red, angry breakouts.

And when you roast it at high heat until the edges are crispy and charred, it becomes absolutely irresistible. It’s a delicious, skin-supportive base that will make you wonder why Caesar salad was ever made with romaine in the first place.

Real Food That Loves Your Skin Back

This salad is a great example of how eating for clear skin doesn’t have to be restrictive or boring. You don’t have to give up flavor or satisfaction to support your body and skin. With the right swaps and a little know-how, you can create meals that help reduce inflammation, balance hormones, support gut health, and yes, clear your skin.

Inside The Clear Skin Solution, we help you uncover exactly what your body needs using our functional testing method. No more guessing games or late-night Googling, just a clear, step-by-step plan built around nourishing meals, targeted support, and guidance from our team of skin-focused nutritionists.

And if wondering if it’s the right fit for you, you can chat with one of our acne advisors to see how it all works and what your journey could look like! 

Charred Broccoli Caesar Salad

A skin-loving, dairy-free twist on the classic Caesar, this Charred Broccoli Salad supports clear skin with every delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Salad:

• 3 heads broccoli (cut into florets)
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• ½ cup toasted almonds or cashews (roughly chopped)

Hemp Caesar Dressing:

• ½ cup Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (instead of tamari for soy-free)
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons raw honey or pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (ensure gluten-free)
• ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Charred Broccoli

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
• Toss broccoli florets with avocado or olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Arrange evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Roast for 15–20 minutes until edges are charred, turning halfway through.

Step 2: Prepare Hemp Caesar Dressing

• Combine hemp hearts, water, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a blender or mini food processor.
• Blend on low, slowly drizzling in olive oil until emulsified and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine the charred broccoli and toasted almonds or cashews.
• Drizzle generously with Hemp Caesar Dressing, tossing gently to coat evenly.
• Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful, nutritious Charred Broccoli Caesar Salad!