Broccoli Salad Recipe Zesty Side Dish Everyone Will Adore

Green and vibrant broccoli salad brings a crisp twist to your lunch routine.

Summer picnics never looked so delicious with this colorful medley.

Crunchy florets dance alongside sweet dried cranberries and toasted almonds.

Creamy dressing coats each ingredient with tangy richness that makes you want to dive right in.

Unexpected flavor combinations elevate this classic side dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick to assemble and packed with nutrition, this salad promises to become your new go-to recipe.

You’ll fall in love with every refreshing, satisfying bite.

Why This Is Truly the Best Broccoli Salad

• Prep takes just 15 minutes, making this salad perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Combines sweet, tangy, and savory elements with cranberries, bacon, cheese, and crunchy sunflower seeds that appeal to multiple taste preferences.
• Broccoli delivers essential vitamins and minerals while the diverse ingredients provide protein, healthy fats, and satisfying texture for a balanced side dish.
• Works brilliantly for potlucks, summer barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings- easily transportable and tastes great at room temperature.

Everything That Goes Into the Best Broccoli Salad

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds all ingredients together, opt for full-fat version for best texture.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tangy flavor, helps balance the richness of the salad.
• Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness, balances the vinegar's acidity.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall flavor profile.

• Broccoli: Crunchy main vegetable, fresh and crisp florets work best.
• Red Onion: Sharp flavor that adds zesty kick, thinly slice for better distribution.

• Bacon, Sunflower Seeds: Provide crunch and savory depth, crispy bacon adds smoky flavor.
• Cranberries: Sweet-tart element that brings color and brightness to the salad.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds creamy richness, sharp cheddar works great for extra flavor.

How to Make This Crunchy Broccoli Salad

Step 1: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

In a mixing bowl, blend together creamy mayonnaise, tangy apple cider vinegar, sweet sugar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined, creating a delightful flavor base that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Chop and Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Fresh broccoli florets
• Crisp red onion
• Sharp shredded cheese
• Tart dried cranberries
• Crunchy sunflower seeds
• Crispy crumbled bacon

Step 3: Toss Everything Together

Pour the zesty dressing over the chopped ingredients. Use a large spoon or salad tongs to mix thoroughly, ensuring every single morsel gets a delicious coating of the creamy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Let Flavors Mingle

Cover the salad bowl and slide it into the refrigerator. Let the ingredients get acquainted and flavors develop for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the ingredients to blend and intensify their deliciousness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out the chilled salad, give it a final gentle toss, and serve cold. Watch as your friends and family dive into this crisp, tangy, and utterly irresistible broccoli salad!

Tips to Keep Broccoli Salad Crisp and Fresh

• Customize Dressing Sweetness: Adjust sugar levels to match your taste preference, using honey or a sugar substitute for a healthier option.
• Prep Ahead Trick: Make the salad a day in advance to enhance flavor intensity and save time before serving.
• Boost Protein Power: Add grilled chicken, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
• Veggie Swap Solution: Replace bacon with roasted sunflower seeds or coconut bacon for a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains crunch and smoky flavor.
• Storage Smart Tip: Keep dressing and salad ingredients separate until serving to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain crisp texture.

How to Store the Best Broccoli Salad for Later

• Store leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The texture might slightly change as vegetables release moisture.
• Before serving chilled leftovers, gently drain any accumulated liquid and give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing.
• Do not freeze this salad, as mayonnaise-based dressings and fresh vegetables will separate and become watery when thawed.
• When serving leftovers, consider adding fresh sunflower seeds or crispy bacon bits to restore the original crunch and texture.

What to Serve with the Best Broccoli Salad

• Sauvignon Blanc's bright acidity complements the tangy dressing and cuts through the richness of bacon and cheese.
• Complementing the salad's crunch, grilled chicken or cedar-planked salmon adds a smoky dimension that matches the salad's complex flavor profile.
• Add a rustic sourdough bread slice or warm artisan roll to soak up the delicious dressing and provide a satisfying textural contrast.
• Crisp hard apple cider echoes the salad's apple cider vinegar notes while offering a light, bubbly counterpoint to the creamy dressing.

Broccoli Salad Variations to Try Today

• Vegan Veggie Blast: Replace bacon with crispy tempeh bits, swap mayonnaise for cashew cream, and use maple syrup instead of sugar for a plant-based protein-packed version.
• Low-Carb Green Power: Substitute cranberries with diced bell peppers, remove sugar completely, and use Greek yogurt for a lighter, keto-friendly alternative that maintains crunch and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Garden Mix: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, replace sunflower seeds with toasted almonds, and use a coconut-based mayo for a safe and delicious option for sensitive diets.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley and dill, swap sunflower seeds for pine nuts, and include a splash of lemon juice to create a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version of the classic broccoli salad.

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chilled “Best Broccoli Salad” brings crisp textures and zesty flavors together in one delightful summer dish. Crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, and tangy dressing create a perfect balance that refreshes and satisfies you with every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables and Produce:

• 5 cups (1.2 liters) fresh broccoli florets, chopped
• ½ cup (80 grams) red onion, finely diced

Protein and Dairy:

• 45 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese

Extras and Toppings:

• ⅓ cup (40 grams) dried cranberries or raisins
• ⅓ cup (40 grams) sunflower seeds (or sliced almonds)

Dressing:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar (or honey)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft a velvety dressing by whisking mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform emulsion with balanced sweetness and seasoning.
2. Create a vibrant base in a generously sized mixing bowl by layering crisp chopped broccoli florets, finely diced red onion, delicate shredded cheese, ruby-toned dried cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and savory crumbled bacon.
3. Drench the ingredient medley with the prepared dressing, thoroughly tossing and folding to ensure each morsel becomes lavishly coated and glistening with the creamy mixture.
4. Seal the bowl with a protective covering and allow the salad to rest and harmonize its flavors in the refrigerator for a minimum of half an hour, enabling the ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste profile.
5. Extract the chilled salad from the refrigerator, give a final gentle stir, and present this refreshing dish as a delectable side that promises a symphony of textures and tantalizing flavors.

Notes

• Prep broccoli ahead by cutting into uniform bite-sized florets for even dressing distribution and consistent texture.
• Customize the salad by swapping bacon with crispy tempeh for a vegetarian version or using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
• Toast sunflower seeds briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours to develop deeper, more complex flavor profiles without compromising the crispness of ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg