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Tangy, crisp and delicious, our Broccoli Salad Recipe may forever change your perspective on broccoli. Often overlooked and under-appreciated, broccoli takes center stage in this vibrant and irresistible easy salad.Â
The Ultimate Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
Packed with nutrients, colors, and textures, this salad is a celebration of freshness and flavor. It’s absolutely perfect for potlucks, picnics or any gathering where you need a great side dish.
The Perfect Crunch
Crunch is the name of the game and we’ll achieve it with the star of the show – broccoli! Begin by selecting firm, deep green broccoli heads. Instead of blanching the broccoli or leaving it raw, we pour a kettle of boiling water over the florets. This process will brighten the color, soften the texture slightly and preserve the essential crunch.
This is the same cooking method we developed for our Easy Pasta Salad with Broccoli.
Immediately run cold water to stop the florets from cooking and to lock in that vibrant green hue. Drain well before assembling the salad.
Ingredients overview
For the broccoli salad
- fresh broccoli florets cut into bite sized pieces
- diced red onion or minced shallots
- toasted or candied walnuts, or pecans, almonds or sunflower seeds
- dried cranberries (Craisins) or raisins
- cooked chopped crispy bacon
- sharp cheddar cheese cut into small squares or strips
For the broccoli salad dressing
- mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
- granulated sugar or honey
- apple cider vinegar or you can use champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
How to make the best Broccoli Salad
For the salad:
Clean and cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Place in a heat-proof colander set over a sink. Pour boiling water over the broccoli then immediately pour cold tap water to chill.
Drain the broccoli then transfer to a salad spinner or paper towel lined dish towel to dry.
In a large mixing bowl combine the broccoli, dried cranberries, nuts, bacon, diced cheese and onion.
For the dressing:
Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix together the broccoli and the dressing, stirring gently.
Place the salad in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving for the flavors to meld.
A Symphony of Colors
While broccoli takes center stage, we’ll also need some colorful companions to make this salad visually appealing. Deep red cranberries provide a burst of tartness that complements the earthiness of broccoli.
Golden cheddar cheese adds a delightful chewiness and make each bite a feast for the eyes. Finally, diced red onion adds a touch of mild, tangy flavor and an extra pop of color.
Bursting with Texture
Texture is an essential element in any salad, and this recipe has the perfect balance. The toasted walnuts offer a distinct nutty flavor and added crunch. Crispy cooked bacon completes the salad with a crunchy, salty bite.
Creamy Dressing Magic
No salad is complete without a fantastic dressing, and we have just the one to tie all the flavors together. The combination of creamy mayo, tangy cider vinegar and sugar creates a luscious dressing that coats the broccoli with pure deliciousness.
What to serve with Broccoli Salad
This simple summer salad goes great with just about any grilled main like BBQ, chicken, ribs, pork chops, burgers and hot dogs. All are perfect with this broccoli salad.
You can also serve this salad with a great sandwich like Sloppy Joes or a grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich.
How long will Broccoli Salad last in the fridge?
This salad actually gets better over time. Be sure to allow one hour for the flavors to meld before serving.
You can also refrigerate the salad for up to 4 hours before serving but we recommend waiting to add the bacon until ready to serve so it will retain the crispness.
Broccoli Salad will keep up to 3 or 4 days well sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the broccoli salad:
- 1 ½ pounds broccoli cut into 1-inch florets about 8 cups florets
- 1 cup toasted or candied walnuts (110g) rough chopped
- 1 cup Craisins (150g) or raisins
- 16 oz bacon crisp cooked and chopped
- ½ cup diced red onion (60g) or 1 large shallot minced
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese cut into small squares or strips
For the dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (200g)
- 3 tablespoon granulated sugar (42g) more or less to taste
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar (30g) more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
For the salad:
- Place the broccoli florets in a heat-proof colander or large fine mesh sieve set in a kitchen sink. Slowly pour half a kettle of boiling water over the broccoli. Carefully toss the broccoli then pour the remaining boiling water over the florets. Immediately run cold tap water over the broccoli to chill.
- Drain the broccoli well then transfer to a salad spinner or lay the broccoli out in a single layer on a clean paper towel lined dish towel to dry.
- In a large bowl combine the dry broccoli, walnuts, raisins, bacon, onion and cheese. Toss to combine.
For the dressing:
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss gently to combine. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
- This salad can be covered and refrigerated for up to 4 hours before serving. We recommend adding the bacon just before serving so it will remain crisp.
- Leftovers keep for up to 3 days well sealed and refrigerated. It won’t be as pretty but still tastes delicious.
Recipe Notes
- Reserve some bacon, raisins and cheese for garnish if desired.
- Add up to 1/4 cup additional mayonnaise if desired
- Substitute honey for the sugar if preferred
- You can substitute champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar or white balsamic in place of the cider vinegar
Nutrition
Broccoli Salad Recipe
You’ve just created a masterpiece – a broccoli salad that is anything but ordinary. This recipe showcases the versatility of broccoli and elevates it to new heights of deliciousness.
With its vibrant colors, satisfying crunch, and creamy dressing, this salad will captivate your taste buds and make even the biggest broccoli skeptics fall in love. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the magic of broccoli, and savor the explosion of flavors in every mouthful. Your taste buds will thank you!
b
Great salad. So easy and what great flavors.
I did add sunflower seeds. My nuts were spicy
nut clusters I had made earlier this winter.
Tricia Buice
We love this salad with sunflower seeds too. I love that they were spicy. I bet that really added a little zing. Thanks so much for commenting and for trying our recipe!
Abbe@This is How I cook
This looks so good that I just had to pop over! Hope all is great with you!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Abbe! So great to hear from you. Hope you and yours are doing well too.