The best Broccoli Salad recipe is creamy, crunchy, and flavorful with bacon, craisins, almonds, and a simple dressing. It’s an easy and quick side dish everyone loves!
Want more easy side dishes? Try Potatoes Au Gratin, Corn Casserole, Quinoa Salad, or Roasted Vegetables!
I’ve found Broccoli Salad is the unexpected star of dinner.
I’ve found Broccoli Salad is the unexpected star of dinner.Even my youngest kids enjoy eating broccoli when served in this salad. It has a delicious creamy dressing and is loaded with the best mix-ins like almonds, Craisins, bacon, and onions. The flavor combo is “bussin'”, as my tweenager would say. Plus it’s easy to make ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve it any time of year, like during the summer with grilled chicken and grilled corn on the cob, or as a side with something fancy, like Prime Rib or King Crab Legs.
How to make Broccoli Salad:
Prep Broccoli: Blanch chopped broccoli, and whisk the dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Cook the bacon bits and chop almonds and onion.
Combine: Place all ingredients in the bowl then pour dressing on top. Toss until everything is combined then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions:
To Make Ahead: This recipe can be made a few hours or a day ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Store leftovers covered and in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Recipe Variations:
This salad is so customizable! Add whatever add-ins you have on hand! Here are some of my favorites:
- Cheese: add a handful of chopped cheddar cheese or manchego.
- Add-Ins: Toss in some sunflower seeds, pine nuts, pomegranate, or pecans.
- Raisins: Swap the Craisins for regular raisins if you prefer.
- Vegan: Use vegan mayonnaise and omit the bacon or use coconut bacon.
More Recipes with Broccoli:
- Broccoli Apple Salad
- Chicken Divan
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Broccoli Casserole
- Broccoli Cheese Quiche
- Tahini Chicken Bowls
- Pasta Primavera
- Teriyaki Chicken
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Recipe
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 7-8 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 500 grams/1lb)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (I often use half plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 slices bacon , cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion , chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
- 1/2 cup almonds , chopped (*see note below)
Instructions
- Blanch broccoli (optional, or keep raw) in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to drain completely.
- Mix sauce in a large bowl: mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Stir well.
- Add broccoli, bacon, onion, cranberries or raisins and almonds to a large bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of sauce (you may not want to use it all).
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Toss again to coat before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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*I first shared this recipe in March 2015. Updated December 2020 and November 2024.
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The menu looks wonderful and I will be making most of the dishes!
delish
Perfect. Waaaay better than store bought, and prep is quick. Made it for lunch with a friend, who also loved it. Later that day, I had to make more–for myself/not to share. It’s that good. I didn’t change a thing. Put the nuts in at serving time, lest they soften.
The broccoli salad was fantastic. I am going to make it again tonight
I did blanch the broccoli for 15-20 seconds. It give the broccoli a beautiful bright green color. Rinsed in ice water drained and chilled it before assembling. Also added a little bacon grease to dressing. Very good!
I did blanch the broccoli for 15-20 seconds. It give the broccoli a beautiful bright green color. Rinsed in ice water drained and chilled it before assembling. Very good!
Could you please add the approximate of chopped broccoli to the recipe? I think the sizes of bunches really vary. Thank you!
I have made this salad for many years but have never blanched the broccoli or used apple cider vinegar. I thought I would try this recipe. Blanching the broccoli seemed pointless and a waste of time. Apple cider vinegar has more of a tart flavor. I prefer the taste of the white vinegar or white wine vinegar. Won’t make this recipe again.
This salad was always a favorite when my mom did sides for our family get togethers. Never had an exact recipe for it though. I did 3 crowns of broccoli but didn’t blanch it as we never did that in the past. I always use just white vinegar for my coleslaw dressing so I used that, along with sugar and mayonaise. I am going to try yogurt as you mentioned next time, but didn’t have any this time. I also used, thinly sliced red onion, craisins, and chopped walnuts. Such a refreshing and beautiful salad and I win mother in law points when I make for my son in law.
My mother-in-law made this all the time and I loved it so she gave me the recipe and I have been making it for years. This time around for a family summer gathering I am going to try it with the craisins in it.