Print

The Best Broccoli Salad

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

The Best Broccoli Salad isn’t just another side dish; it’s a vibrant, flavorful, and satisfying salad that can steal the show at any potluck, barbecue, or family gathering. Crisp, fresh broccoli florets are combined with crunchy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, savory red onion, and sunflower seeds, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing that ties everything together perfectly. This recipe elevates the humble broccoli salad to a new level of deliciousness, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Gather these ingredients to make The Best Broccoli Salad:

    • 6 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces

    • 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 8 slices)

    • ½ cup red onion, finely diced

    • ¾ cup dried cranberries

    • ½ cup sunflower seeds (or other nuts/seeds of your choice)

For the Dressing:

    • 1 cup mayonnaise

    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

    • ¼ cup granulated sugar (or honey/maple syrup)

    • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Broccoli:

  1. Wash and Cut: Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

  2. Blanch (Optional): For a slightly softer broccoli texture, blanch the florets in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well. This step is optional; you can use raw broccoli for a crisper salad.

Cook the Bacon:

  1. Cook: Cook the bacon until crispy using your preferred method (skillet, oven, or microwave).

  2. Crumble: Let the bacon cool slightly, then crumble it into small pieces.

Make the Dressing:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar (or honey/maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

  2. Taste and Adjust: Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more sugar for a sweeter dressing, more vinegar for a tangier dressing, or more mustard for a bolder flavor.

Assemble the Salad:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds.

  2. Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.

  3. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serve:

  1. Stir and Serve: Before serving, stir the salad well to redistribute the dressing.

  2. Garnish (Optional): Garnish with additional sunflower seeds or crumbled bacon, if desired.

Equipment

Nutrition

Find it online: https://succulentrecipes.com/the-best-broccoli-salad/