If you’re craving a perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, tangy, and sweet all in one bite, this Broccoli Salad Recipe is your new best friend. It brings together fresh broccoli florets with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and a handful of dried cranberries to make every forkful a delightful experience. What I love most about this salad is how it can easily transform any meal from ordinary to memorable, with a dressing that’s just tangy enough to tie all those flavors together. Whether you’re planning a potluck or just want a refreshing side dish, this Broccoli Salad Recipe hits every note beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This salad relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a key role in the overall flavor and texture. From the crisp broccoli to the crunchy sunflower seeds, every element adds depth and personality to the dish.
- Broccoli florets (6 cups, finely chopped): The star ingredient, providing fresh crunch and vibrant green color.
- Bacon (6 slices, cooked and crumbled): Adds smoky richness and a salty bite.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (1 cup): Brings creamy, sharp flavor that melts subtly on the tongue.
- Red onion (1/3 cup, finely diced): Offers mild pungency and a pop of purple color.
- Dried cranberries (1/3 cup): Injects natural sweetness and chewy texture.
- Sunflower seeds (1/4 cup): Introduce an earthy crunch to complement the broccoli.
- Mayonnaise (3/4 cup): Creates a luxuriously creamy dressing base.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons): Provides tangy brightness balancing the creaminess.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds a hint of sweetness to round out flavors.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the ingredient flavors without overpowering.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds gentle warmth and spice for depth.
How to Make Broccoli Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by finely chopping your fresh broccoli florets. The smaller pieces allow the dressing to coat every bite perfectly, ensuring every mouthful is bursting with flavor. Toss them into a large mixing bowl to get ready for combining with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Add the Flavorful Mix-Ins
Next, sprinkle in your cooked, crumbled bacon along with the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, finely diced red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. These ingredients bring a delightful mix of smoky, sharp, sweet, and crunchy textures, making this more than just a simple salad.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Luscious Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. This dressing is the heart of the Broccoli Salad Recipe, balancing richness with zing and a hint of sweetness.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Pour the dressing over your broccoli mixture and toss gently yet thoroughly, so every bit is coated in that delicious sauce. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and lets the salad reach its full potential.
How to Serve Broccoli Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of color and texture, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or extra sunflower seeds on top just before serving. These little additions lift the salad visually while adding fresh bursts of flavor and crunch.
Side Dishes
This Broccoli Salad Recipe pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats, like chicken or steak, and also complements barbecue fare beautifully. It’s a refreshing counterpoint to smoky, hearty mains and adds a nice variety of textures and flavors to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Thinking outside the bowl? Serve this salad in hollowed-out bell peppers or atop crisp lettuce leaves for a fun, individual serving idea. You can also use it as a crunchy topping for baked potatoes or even stuffed inside pita pockets with some grilled chicken for a light lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your salad, you’ll be happy to know that leftovers keep beautifully. Store any uneaten Broccoli Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just give it a quick gentle stir before digging back in to refresh the textures.
Freezing
Because of the mayonnaise and fresh veggies, this salad does not freeze well. Freezing may change the texture of the broccoli and make the dressing separate, so it’s best to prepare only what you plan to enjoy within a couple of days.
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. If your kitchen is chilly, simply letting it sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving will bring out the flavors nicely without needing heat.
FAQs
Can I make this Broccoli Salad Recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply omit the cheddar cheese or replace it with a dairy-free cheese alternative to keep the creamy and tangy textures intact while making it suitable for dairy-free diets.
Is there a healthier dressing option I can use?
Absolutely. For a lighter take on the dressing, substitute half or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. It reduces the fat content while maintaining creaminess and adds a lovely tang.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment by adding chopped bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even thinly sliced celery for more crunch and color variety.
What’s the best way to cook bacon for this salad?
The crispiest bacon enhances the texture the most. Pan-frying or baking your bacon until golden and crunchy works best—just be sure to let it cool before crumbling so it holds its shape.
Is this Broccoli Salad Recipe suitable for potlucks?
It’s a total hit at potlucks because it holds up well, tastes great chilled, and offers a nice contrast next to heavier dishes. Just prepare ahead to allow flavors to blend, and your guests will be impressed every time.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got this fantastic Broccoli Salad Recipe in your culinary arsenal, I encourage you to give it a try soon. It’s effortless to make, packed with flavor, and versatile enough to brighten up any meal or gathering. Trust me, once you taste this salad, it will become an instant favorite you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Print
Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A classic, crunchy and flavorful broccoli salad featuring fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy, sweet dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish for summer gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion requiring a vibrant, cold salad.
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli and mix the core ingredients: Place the finely chopped broccoli florets into a large mixing bowl. Add the crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Toss everything together gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This dressing will add the perfect tangy and sweet flavor that complements the salad ingredients.
- Combine the salad and dressing: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, enhancing the overall flavor and texture of the salad.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a more delicious and refreshing broccoli salad.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt to reduce fat and add creaminess.
- This salad can be made up to one day in advance and tastes even better after chilling.
