Broccoli salad is a timeless dish that combines crisp, fresh broccoli with a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion, from family dinners to summer picnics. The combination of textures, flavors, and colors makes this salad both satisfying and visually appealing. Whether you’re serving it at a gathering or enjoying it as a light meal, this broccoli salad is sure to please.
At the core of this salad is the vibrant, crunchy broccoli. Fresh florets are cut into bite-sized pieces, providing a satisfying texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy dressing. The broccoli is often paired with other crunchy ingredients like red onion, carrots, and sunflower seeds, adding even more depth to the texture. These additional ingredients bring color and a burst of freshness, making the salad not only tasty but also eye-catching.
The dressing for broccoli salad is a creamy combination of mayonnaise and a touch of vinegar or lemon juice, providing the perfect balance of richness and tang. A little bit of honey or sugar is sometimes added to sweeten the dressing, which complements the slight bitterness of the broccoli. Some versions of this salad include a bit of Dijon mustard for extra zing or a splash of apple cider vinegar for added acidity. This dressing coats the ingredients beautifully, binding the flavors together while maintaining the salad’s crispness.
One of the signature touches of broccoli salad is the addition of bacon. Crispy, crumbled bacon provides a savory, salty contrast to the creamy dressing and fresh vegetables. The smokiness of the bacon enhances the flavor, giving the salad a satisfying umami kick. You can also add dried cranberries or raisins for a touch of sweetness, making each bite a delightful mix of savory and sweet.
Broccoli salad is perfect for any meal, whether it’s served as a side dish with grilled meats, or enjoyed on its own for a lighter meal. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds toasted
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets, red onion, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
Nutrition
Broccoli?? Yuck! I’ll just stick to my pizza. But I guess some people like this sorta thing.
Pretty good, but too many cranberries for my taste. Will try less next time.
This salad is so fresh and crunchy! I love the combination of flavors. Will definitely make it again!
I agree! It’s such a refreshing salad. Perfect for summer picnics!
I don’t know, it was kinda bland. Maybe I shoulda added more vinegar or somethin’.
This salad is amazing! I made it for a picnic and everyone loved it. The combination of flavors is perfect.
I’m so glad to hear that! This salad has been a hit at every gathering I’ve taken it to as well. Such a great mix of textures and flavors!
I just can’t see how broccoli and mayo go together. It’s too weird for me.
I don’t like mayo so I skipped it. It was still okay but not great. Just too tangy.
I think mayo is a key part of the dressing! Maybe try using a yogurt instead? It might balance the tanginess better.
Too tangy? I loved it just the way it was, mayo and all! Everyone has diffrent tastes, I guess.
Broccoli salad? What’s that? Sounds like a waste of good broccoli. Just steam it, people!
Delish! My kind of salad, will make it for lunch!
Sounds amazing! I love that you added cranberries. Can’t wait to try it!
Broccoli in salad? That’s weird… but hey, if you like it, who am I to judge? Good luck!
This is greeeat! Just love all the colors and the sweet bites from the cranberries!
I added bacon bits to mine, and wow, that made it 100% better! 😍
I didn’t have any onion, so I used garlic instead, and it turned out ok I guess.
I doubt garlic can replace onion. They taste really different! But hey, if you liked it, that’s what matters.
Garlic instead of onion? Interesting choice! I think it could give the salad a nice twist. Glad it turned out okay!
Broccoli? Why would anyone eat that? 😝 Will stick to my chips!
My kids love this! They eat it all up, even the broccoli. That’s saying something!
So easy to make and so tasty! My kids even ate the broccoli, which is a miracle. LOL
This salad is a hit at every gathering I take it to! So fresh and crunchy!
Used way too much mayo, it was swimming! Less would be better next time.
I totally agree! I usually cut the mayo in half. It’s easy to go overboard.
Easy to make and everyone loved it at the BBQ! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Why does it have mayo? I hate mayo. Can you even taste the broccoli? Seems weird to me.
It’s a good salad! Next time I might substitute yogurt for the mayo. Sounds healthier lol.
Replacing mayo with yogurt is a great idea! It’ll definitely lighten it up. Good thinking!
Yogurt instead of mayo? I don’t know about that. Mayo gives it that creamy goodness!