Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

This broccoli salad recipe is a blend of fresh broccoli florets, apples, bacon, red onion and sunflower seeds, all tossed in a creamy dressing. A classic salad that feeds a crowd and is perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

You can never go wrong with a cool salad on a warm day, my family goes crazy for creamy cucumber salad and chickpea avocado salad. You can also never go wrong with broccoli salad, because bacon makes everything taste better!

Broccoli Salad Recipe (1)

Broccoli salad is a classic dish that’s enjoyed year round at picnics and parties. It’s easy to make, feeds a large group and is totally irresistible. In my opinion, this version of broccoli salad is the best one around – it’s got plenty of bacon, a hint of sweetness from the apples and cranberries, and a nice crunch from the sunflower seeds. I get rave reviews every time I serve this dish!

How do you make broccoli salad?

This recipe starts with broccoli florets. You can either buy a few heads of broccoli and chop it yourself, or buy a bag of pre-cut florets to save a little time. The broccoli is combined with bacon, apples, dried cranberries, red onion and sunflower seeds, then tossed in a creamy dressing.

Broccoli Salad Recipe (2)

Tips for broccoli salad

  • This recipe calls for 4 cups of broccoli florets, which is the equivalent of 1 and 1/2 medium sized heads, or 1 large head.
  • I use Pink Lady apples in this recipe, other great choices are Braeburn or Honeycrisp.
  • Make sure you dice your onion very fine so that you don’t end up with large pieces in each bite.
  • Broccoli salad can be made up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. If you’re making your salad in advance, omit the bacon and apple and stir those ingredients in right before serving.

Can broccoli be eaten raw?

Broccoli can absolutely be eaten raw and is traditionally served raw in broccoli salad. If you prefer, you can use lightly steamed or blanched broccoli instead.

Broccoli Salad Recipe (3)

How long can you keep broccoli salad in the fridge?

Broccoli salad will last approximately 3-4 days in the fridge. I find that this salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours of when it’s made.

Broccoli Salad Recipe (4)

Broccoli Salad Variations

While I love this recipe as written, sometimes I change up the ingredients a bit depending on what I have on hand.

  • Fruit: Try using raisins instead of cranberries, or pears instead of apples.
  • Cheese: Small cubes of cheddar cheese is a nice addition to this salad.
  • Nuts: Sunflower seeds are traditional, but I’ve also used sliced almonds or chopped pecans with great results.
  • Cauliflower: Try using 1/2 broccoli and 1/2 cauliflower florets for a different flavor. Or you can use all cauliflower florets if you’re a fan!
  • Dressing: Not a fan of mayonnaise? Try plain Greek yogurt instead!

Broccoli Salad Recipe (5)

I have to say, this salad is irresistible – it’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, crunchy and creamy. Give it a try and you’ll find that everyone will be asking you for the recipe!

More salad recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Ambrosia Salad
  • Spaghetti Salad
  • Brussels Sprout Salad
  • Mediterranean Farro Salad
  • Cucumber Tomato Salad

5 from 14 votes

Broccoli Salad

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AuthorSara Welch

Broccoli Salad Recipe (6)

This broccoli salad recipe is a blend of fresh broccoli florets, apples, bacon, red onion and sunflower seeds, all tossed in a creamy dressing. A classic salad that feeds a crowd and is perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

Time

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time1 minute minute

Chilling Time1 hour hour

Total Time11 minutes minutes

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Serves 8

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 4 cups broccoli florets cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1 apple diced
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

For the dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place the broccoli, red onion, bacon, apple, dried cranberries and sunflower seeds in a large bowl.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper.

  • Pour the dressing over the broccoli and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

  • Place the salad in a serving bowl. Top with parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 206mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 42.2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @dinneratthezoo on Instagram and hashtag it #dinneratthezoo

Originally Posted April 22, 2019

CategoriesSalads

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Broccoli Salad Recipe (12)
Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is broccoli salad made of? ›

Broccoli Salad is a quick salad full of fresh crisp broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits. It's all tossed in a really easy creamy homemade dressing. Since it's best made ahead of time (and everyone raves about this recipe), it's a great potluck dish and a favorite addition to a holiday table.

Why does my broccoli salad get watery? ›

Extra water on the broccoli can make for a runny mixture. The same goes for rinsing your broccoli! Make sure you give your broccoli adequate time to dry after rinsing. You get enough moisture from the dressing mixture that any extra water will make your salad too watery.

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad? ›

The short cooking time brings out the natural colors in the fruit or vegetable before they can turn a displeasing color (because no one wants to eat ugly broccoli!). By stopping the cooking process, the color-changing enzymes are deactivated and the vegetable maintains its vibrant color.

How to make brocoli salad? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar and honey. Toss salad ingredients with dressing: Combine broccoli florets, almonds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well.

What is the active ingredient in broccoli? ›

Broccoli and its active ingredient, sulforaphane were reported to possess tremendous pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antidepressant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic to mention but few.

How long does broccoli last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Broccoli Last? Both raw and cooked broccoli will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. Blanched broccoli will last between 10 and 12 months in the freezer.

How to make raw broccoli taste good? ›

Broccoli has a simple taste that can be paired subtly with lemon pepper, or salt and black pepper, or combined with bold flavors like balsamic vinegar, basil, and fresh ginger. These common flavors will add to natural taste of the broccoli, and can even be combined with other raw vegetables to make a salad.

How many florets of broccoli is a serving? ›

How much is one portion of fresh vegetables? Eight broccoli florets.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

How long should broccoli be boiled? ›

To boil, place in a pan of boiling water and cook the florets for 6-8 minutes. To steam, place in a steamer over boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Broccoli to be stir-fried should be separated into bite-sized florets, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan and add the florets, cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli? ›

You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn't been blanched doesn't have as good of a taste or texture in recipes. However, it's usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it's not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.

Can you eat broccoli raw in a salad? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

What is broccoli pasta made of? ›

Pasta con broccoli is a dish I grew up eating, and one I continuously make for my family. Its ingredients, broccoli, garlic, and olive oil, sound simple, but when brought together with pasta and pasta water to form a creamy sauce, something magical happens. Even the pickiest of eaters love it!

What's the difference between broccoli and cauliflower? ›

A: Broccoli and cauliflower are distinguishable by their colour. Broccoli is green, and cauliflower is white. Broccoli has more calories, protein, lipids, and carbs than cauliflower. On the other hand, cauliflower has more sugars, and broccoli has more dietary fibre.

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