If you’re craving a fresh, crunchy side dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, Broccoli Salad is about to become your new go-to recipe. This vibrant salad bursts with crisp broccoli, sweet cranberries, savory bacon, and a creamy, tangy dressing that pulls all the flavors together. It’s a total crowd-pleaser, equally perfect for summer picnics, family potlucks, or simply elevating a weeknight dinner. Whether you’ve made Broccoli Salad before or you’re brand new to its charms, you’re about to see just how easy and delightful this classic can be.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Broccoli Salad shines because each ingredient offers something special, from juicy pops of dried cranberries to the toasty crunch of sunflower seeds. You’ll find the balance of flavors and textures so satisfying, and best of all, every item in the mix has a key role to play.

Broccoli florets: Choose the freshest broccoli, and chop into small, bite-sized pieces for the perfect crunch in every bite.
Red onion: A little sharpness and a lot of color; dice finely for mellow flavor that doesn’t overwhelm.
Dried cranberries: These burst with sweetness and add a gorgeous pop of red to your salad.
Sunflower seeds: For irresistible nutty crunch; roasted, unsalted seeds work best.
Bacon bits: Smoky, salty, and satisfying, they elevate the flavor and make the salad totally craveable.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base that binds everything together; use your favorite brand for best results.
Apple cider vinegar: This subtle acidity brightens everything up and balances the richness of the mayo.
Granulated white sugar: Just a touch to sweeten the dressing and mellow out the tang.
Salt: Brings all the flavors forward—taste as you go!
Pepper: Adds a gentle heat that lingers in the background.

How to Make Broccoli Salad

Step 1: Mix the Salad Base

Begin by gathering your chopped broccoli florets, diced red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits in a large mixing bowl. Toss them together gently—this mix is already a feast for the eyes with all those colors! Make sure everything’s evenly distributed so you’ll get every flavor in each bite.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Dressing

Next, in a small separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and pepper. The goal is a smooth, creamy dressing with a perfect balance of tang and sweetness. This blend will be the backbone of your Broccoli Salad, so take a moment to taste and adjust the seasoning if you like.

Step 3: Combine and Coat

Pour the finished dressing over your salad ingredients in the large bowl. Using a spatula or large spoon, toss everything lightly so each broccoli piece gets generously coated. The creamy dressing should cling to all the nooks and crannies—it’s the secret to every satisfying bite.

Step 4: Final Toss and Taste

Give the salad a gentle final toss, just enough to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed and all components are mingling. The broccoli should still be crisp and perky, not bogged down. Sample a forkful, and adjust salt or pepper to suit your personal preference.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the Broccoli Salad to your favorite serving dish, then sprinkle with a little extra red onion, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and bacon bits on top. This last flourish looks gorgeous and adds extra bursts of flavor and color. Serve immediately, or chill if you prefer it cooler!

How to Serve Broccoli Salad

Garnishes

Garnishing isn’t just for show—those extra sprinkles of bacon, cranberries, and seeds invite everyone to dig in and give the salad an irresistible finish. For even more freshness, you could add a handful of thinly sliced scallions or fresh parsley right before serving. It’s a little touch that makes a big difference, especially when serving Broccoli Salad to guests.

Side Dishes

This Broccoli Salad loves good company. Pair it with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or classic burgers for a meal that sings with flavor and balance. It also sits happily alongside other picnic favorites like pasta salad, potato salad, or even a hearty sandwich—the crisp, tangy crunch brings any plate to life.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Broccoli Salad in individual mason jars for a picnic-ready presentation, or pile it into butter lettuce cups for a light, pretty appetizer at parties. You can even top it with a few shavings of sharp cheddar or crumbled goat cheese for unexpected richness. However you serve it, this salad always looks as good as it tastes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, simply pop them in an airtight container and refrigerate. Broccoli Salad keeps beautifully for up to three days, and some say the flavors get even better as they mingle overnight. It’s a dream for meal-prep or make-ahead lunches.

Freezing

Broccoli Salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing, since both the creamy dressing and the fresh veggies lose their snappy texture when thawed. For best results, make only as much as you’ll eat within a couple of days, or keep the components separate if you want to prep ahead.

Reheating

There’s actually no need to reheat Broccoli Salad—it’s designed to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. In fact, that chill brings out the best textures and flavors. Just give it a stir before eating, and sprinkle on a touch more seasoning or fresh garnish if desired.

FAQs

Can I make Broccoli Salad vegan?

Absolutely! Substitute a good-quality vegan mayonnaise and use coconut bacon or crispy roasted chickpeas instead of bacon bits. You’ll still enjoy all the crunch and zest that makes Broccoli Salad irresistible.

Should I blanch the broccoli first?

If you prefer a softer crunch, you can quickly blanch the broccoli for a minute in boiling water, then plunge it into an ice bath. This will brighten the color and soften the bite just slightly, though many fans love the raw broccoli’s crispness as is.

How sweet is this Broccoli Salad?

The dressing is balanced with just enough sugar to complement the tangy vinegar and creamy mayo. If you like things less sweet, feel free to cut back the sugar a little or try honey for a different twist.

Can I use other kinds of nuts or seeds?

Definitely! Toasted almonds, pecans, or pumpkin seeds can all add a fresh spin. Mix and match with what you have on hand; the salad is endlessly adaptable while still being unmistakably Broccoli Salad.

How far in advance can I make Broccoli Salad?

You can toss everything together up to a day before serving—just wait to add the garnishes until right before you eat. This allows the salad to keep its beautiful color and lively texture.

Final Thoughts

Broccoli Salad is that perfect mix of easy, delicious, and totally versatile. Whether you’re prepping for a picnic or just want to brighten up weekday meals, there’s always a good reason to whip up a bowl. Give it a try and let its fresh flavors give your table a little extra joy!

Broccoli Salad Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 14 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious and easy-to-make Broccoli Salad that is perfect for any occasion. This salad is a refreshing mix of fresh broccoli florets, red onions, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits, all tossed in a creamy dressing.

Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the broccoli florets, red onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits.
Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
Toss: Gently toss the salad until the broccoli is evenly coated with the dressing.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately, garnished with extra onions, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and bacon bits if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American