Ready to upgrade your next gathering or family dinner? This Broccoli Salad is crunchy, creamy, tangy, and dotted with pops of sweet and savory goodness. It’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that always disappears first at potlucks—fresh and vibrant, but full of flavor-packed ingredients people can’t resist!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor Combo: Every bite balances crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, tart cranberries, and creamy cheddar with a tangy dressing—pure harmony!
- Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better after chilling, meaning you can prep it the night before (or hours ahead) for no-stress entertaining.
- Textural Delight: Crunchy florets, chewy craisins, and tender cheese make this salad a party for your palate.
- Potluck & Picnic Perfection: Travels well, looks stunning, and holds up beautifully on the buffet table—no wilting greens here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Broccoli Salad special is how every single ingredient brings its own texture, color, or layer of flavor. Simple, yes—but skip one, and you’ll seriously notice! Here’s why each part matters (and how to make yours unforgettable):
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh, bite-sized florets are the crisp, green heart of this salad—use the freshest you can find for that perfect snap.
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This adds a creamy, tangy richness and just melts slightly when tossed with the dressing.
- Chopped Craisins (Dried Cranberries): Pops of sweet-tart flavor that brighten every mouthful.
- Diced Red Onion: For color, crunch, and just enough bite—soak in cold water for 10 minutes if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Cooked and Crumbled Bacon: Smoky, salty, and indulgent; a must-have for that classic contrast.
- Sunflower Kernels: Little nibbles of nutty crunch that tie it all together—unsalted or roasted both work beautifully.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the dressing, binding everything together with a rich texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds a tangy lightness and softens the mayo, making the dressing extra luscious.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: For bright acidity that lifts all the flavors and prevents the salad from tasting too heavy.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a hint to balance out the tang and round out the dressing.
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper: These lock in the seasoning, enhancing and sharpening every layer of taste.
Variations
The best thing about Broccoli Salad is how easy it is to personalize. Make it your own by mixing and matching ingredients, or adjusting it for any dietary needs—there are endless delicious combos!
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the bacon or swap it for smoky roasted chickpeas or unsweetened coconut bacon for a plant-based twist.
- Different Cheese: Try swapping cheddar for crumbled feta, gouda, or even smoked mozzarella for a new flavor spin.
- Add Fruit: Toss in halved grapes or diced apples for extra sweetness and a juicy burst.
- Nutty Swap: Use sliced almonds, pecans, or pumpkin seeds instead of sunflower kernels for a different crunch.
- Lighter Dressing: Use Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the mayo/sour cream if you want a tangier, lighter salad.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Toss the Broccoli Base
In your biggest mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, shredded cheddar, dried cranberries, diced red onion, crumbled bacon, and sunflower kernels. Give it a gentle toss to mix everything evenly—every scoop should pick up a bit of each ingredient for the perfect bite.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Creamy Dressing
Grab a separate medium bowl and whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and plenty of cracked black pepper. You’re aiming for a silky, slightly tangy dressing that will hug every broccoli floret and filling in all the flavor gaps.
Step 3: Combine & Coat
Pour the dressing all over the broccoli mixture and stir until everything is glistening and totally coated—don’t leave any dry patches! You want the flavors to marry, so a thorough toss here is key.
Step 4: Chill for Maximum Flavor
Cover your salad tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This chill time makes a huge difference: the broccoli softens ever-so-slightly, and the flavors mingle to create that signature, crave-worthy Broccoli Salad taste.
Pro Tips for Making Broccoli Salad
- Broccoli Crunch Factor: For a bit more tenderness, blanch florets in boiling water for just 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water—totally optional, but a great tip for kids or sensitive eaters!
- Dress, Then Chill: Always combine the dressing and salad before chilling, so the flavors marry and the broccoli has time to absorb every delicious drop.
- Freshness First: Pre-shredded cheese and bagged florets will save time, but freshly grated cheddar and hand-cut broccoli really do deliver the best flavor and texture.
- Revive the Crunch: If your salad sits overnight, toss in a handful of fresh sunflower seeds right before serving for that perfect crispy finish.
How to Serve Broccoli Salad
Garnishes
Before serving, sprinkle the top with a few extra sunflower kernels or a scattering of craisins for color. A little fresh cracked black pepper or even a shower of chives or parsley can make your Broccoli Salad look extra fancy (and add a final spark of flavor, too).
Side Dishes
Broccoli Salad is a superstar alongside grilled chicken, pulled pork, salmon, or classic burgers on the grill. It’s also perfect beside simple sandwiches or as part of a bigger picnic spread with pasta salads, potato chips, and lemonade.
Creative Ways to Present
Wow the crowd by layering the salad in a clear trifle bowl for a pretty, colorful effect, or serve in hollowed-out bell peppers for individual portions. Mini mason jars are a cute way to send guests home with leftovers, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Broccoli Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh, crisp, and tasty for up to three days—just give it a quick stir before serving, as the dressing may settle a bit.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for Broccoli Salad. The fresh veggies and creamy dressing don’t hold up well to freezing and thawing; the texture becomes mushy and separated. Best to enjoy it fresh!
Reheating
This is a cold salad and is truly meant to be eaten chilled or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. However, if you want to liven it up after time in the fridge, let it come to room temp and give it a quick toss before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make Broccoli Salad a day ahead?
Absolutely! In fact, making Broccoli Salad a few hours (or up to a full day) in advance allows the flavors to develop even more. Just store it tightly covered in the fridge and add a handful of extra seeds or nuts right before serving for max crunch.
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Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
I don’t recommend frozen broccoli for this salad—fresh florets keep everything crisp and never go soggy. Frozen usually ends up too soft once thawed and just doesn’t offer the same satisfying bite.
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Is there a way to make this Broccoli Salad lighter?
You can definitely lighten it up! Try swapping half (or all) of the mayo and sour cream for Greek yogurt, use less sugar, and toss in extra veggies like shredded carrots to bulk it up with fewer calories.
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What can I use instead of craisins?
If you don’t have craisins, golden raisins, regular raisins, finely chopped dried apricots, or even diced apple work nicely. Anything slightly tart and sweet will give you that classic Broccoli Salad tang!
Final Thoughts
This Broccoli Salad is more than just a side—it’s a celebration of textures and flavors that everyone at your table will remember. If you’ve never tried making it at home, now’s the perfect moment. Grab those fresh florets and dive in. You’ll wonder how you ever had a picnic without it!
Print
Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Broccoli Salad recipe is a delightful mix of fresh broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese, craisins, red onion, bacon, and sunflower kernels tossed in a creamy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a tasty side dish!
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups broccoli florets, broken into bite-size pieces
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2/3 cup chopped craisins (dried cranberries)
- 2/3 cup diced red onion
- 2/3 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup sunflower kernels
Dressing
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In an extra-large mixing bowl, mix together broccoli, cheese, craisins, red onion, bacon, and sunflower kernels.
- Prepare Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and stir to coat evenly.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
