Broccoli Salad Recipe
Fresh, crunchy, and packed with vibrant flavors, this Broccoli Salad Recipe is the summertime dish you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. The punched-up combination of savory bacon, sweet cranberries, crisp broccoli, and a creamy-tangy dressing makes it a perennial crowd-pleaser, whether you’re heading to a family picnic or just jazzing up your weekday table. It’s easy to pull together with no cooking required and comes alive after a quick chill in the fridge—proof that sometimes, simple ingredients can make magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When it comes to making this Broccoli Salad Recipe, every ingredient plays a special role, delivering color, texture, or flavor that shines in every bite. Gather these simple, straightforward ingredients and get ready to mix up something unforgettable!
- Broccoli florets: Fresh and crisp, broccoli is the star of this salad, giving it bite and color while soaking up the delicious dressing.
- Red onion: Adds sharpness and color contrast, delivering a subtle zing that keeps each forkful lively.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Creamy and salty, the cheese melts slightly into the dressing, giving every bite a comfort-food touch.
- Cooked and crumbled bacon: Smoky, salty, and irresistibly crispy, bacon provides luxurious flavor in every sprinkle.
- Sunflower seeds: These little seeds add crunch and a toasty, nutty note to round out the salad’s textures.
- Dried cranberries: Their sweetness balances the savory flavors and brings a pop of chewy tartness.
- Mayonnaise: Acts as the creamy base for the dressing, tying all the ingredients together beautifully.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds tangy brightness that keeps the dressing lively and fresh.
- Honey: Just a touch of sweetness to mellow the vinegar and harmonize the other flavors.
- Salt: Enhances and blends all the other flavors, allowing them to truly shine.
- Black pepper: Offers well-balanced spice, giving the salad a gentle lift.
How to Make Broccoli Salad Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Chop Your Ingredients
Start by washing and thoroughly drying your broccoli florets, then chop them into bite-sized pieces for perfect, uniform crunch. Dice the red onion finely so it distributes evenly, shred your cheddar cheese, and crumble the bacon. Measure out your sunflower seeds and cranberries—you’re halfway to a gorgeous salad already.
Step 2: Toss Together the Salad Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, diced onion, shredded cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and cranberries. Give everything a gentle toss to distribute those pops of color and flavor throughout the bowl. At this point, the salad already hints at how delicious it will be, but the dressing truly takes it over the top.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Creamy Dressing
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth and creamy. That little bit of honey will round out the vinegar’s tang, forming a balanced, luscious dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the dressing over your salad base and toss well so every floret and cranberry gets coated. Take your time here—it’s worth making sure the creamy mixture finds its way into all the nooks and crannies of the broccoli.
Step 5: Chill and Let the Flavors Mingle
Cover your bowl and let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step is key! The flavors blend together, the broccoli softens just enough, and the end result is worth every minute of anticipation. Serve the Broccoli Salad Recipe cold for maximum crunch and vibrancy.
How to Serve Broccoli Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Give your Broccoli Salad Recipe extra personality by scattering a few extra sunflower seeds or a pinch of crumbled bacon right on top just before serving. A little bit more shredded cheddar or a handful of finely chopped chives can add color and another layer of flavor for that perfect finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with classic picnic mains: think grilled chicken, roasted meats, or even a simple sandwich spread. Its bright flavors also make it a wonderful companion for summertime potlucks or as a crisp side for hearty quiche and fresh fruit platters.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party-ready twist, try scooping the salad into lettuce cups or serving mini portions in small jars or glasses—adorable, portable, and sure to impress your guests. You can even pile it high on crostini for a bite-sized appetizer version of the Broccoli Salad Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Broccoli Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and crisp for up to 2 or 3 days; just give it a quick stir before serving, as the dressing can settle at the bottom. Wait to add extra bacon until right before eating to keep it nice and crispy.
Freezing
While this salad doesn’t freeze well—fresh veggies like broccoli lose their crunch and become watery after thawing—it’s such a fast no-cook recipe that you’ll want to make it fresh each time anyway. Freezing is best avoided for the tastiest results.
Reheating
This dish is made to be enjoyed cold, so there’s no reheating needed! In fact, chilling the Broccoli Salad Recipe is what really brings out its vibrant flavors and fantastic textures.
FAQs
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Fresh broccoli gives the best texture in this salad, since frozen broccoli can become too soft once thawed. If you must substitute, thaw and drain it thoroughly and give it a quick blanch to retain more crunch.
How can I make this Broccoli Salad Recipe lighter?
For a lighter dressing, you can substitute Greek yogurt for all or part of the mayonnaise. A half-and-half blend keeps it creamy but with fewer calories and a bit more tang.
Is the salad gluten-free?
Yes! This Broccoli Salad Recipe is naturally gluten-free—just check that your bacon and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free if necessary.
Can this salad be made ahead?
Absolutely! One of the reasons it’s so popular at gatherings is that it tastes even better after chilling for a few hours or overnight. Just add the bacon immediately before serving so it stays crispy.
What other add-ins work well?
Feel free to get creative: swap in chopped nuts for the seeds, use golden raisins in place of cranberries, or add sliced grapes for extra sweetness. The basic formula of this Broccoli Salad Recipe is endlessly flexible.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a dish that’s easy, flavor-packed, and sure to impress, give this Broccoli Salad Recipe a place on your table. I hope it brings as many smiles to your gatherings as it has to mine—enjoy every delicious, crunchy, creamy bite!
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Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Broccoli Salad Recipe is a delightful mix of fresh broccoli florets, red onion, cheddar cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries, tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion, from picnics to potlucks.
Ingredients
Fresh Broccoli Salad:
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 heads), chopped small
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix broccoli, red onion, cheddar cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve chilled and savor the flavors of this delicious broccoli salad.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt or a 50/50 mix of mayo and yogurt.
- To prepare in advance, make the salad up to a day ahead and add the bacon just before serving to maintain its crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
