The Best Broccoli Salad
A crunchy and flavorful broccoli salad featuring fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy sunflower seeds, and sweet dried cranberries, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and honey. This salad is perfect as a side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or a refreshing snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (optional 1 minute for blanching)
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook (with optional blanching)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- ½ cup precooked bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds or chopped almonds
- ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
Dressing Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Broccoli: Chop the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. For a slightly softer texture, blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve the bright green color.
- Mix the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, crumbled precooked bacon, finely diced red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined with a nice balance of tangy and sweet flavors.
- Combine Everything: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly with the creamy dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or salad.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, omit sunflower seeds or almonds.
- Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing version.
- Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.
- Use raw sugar or maple syrup instead of honey for variations in sweetness.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh for crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: broccoli salad, crispy bacon salad, creamy broccoli salad, easy vegetable salad, healthy side dish, make-ahead salad
Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/the-best-broccoli-salad/
