Quick Summary
This classic Broccoli Salad recipe is made with fresh broccoli, bacon, cheddar cheese, almonds, dried cranberries, onion, and a creamy homemade dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for cookouts, parties, and potlucks!
Broccoli salad is a classic salad and a popular side dish for parties, potlucks, and cookouts. I mean, is it even a party if no one brings broccoli salad?
And I know broccoli salad doesn’t sound that exciting, but I am telling you, this salad is always a crowd pleaser. So even if you don’t like broccoli, you have to give this salad a chance.
It is made with fresh broccoli that is chopped into small florets. Cutting the broccoli into SMALL pieces is the key! No one wants to be chomping away on big pieces of broccoli.
The salad also has bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, slivered almonds, sweet dried cranberries, and red onion. Toss the salad in a creamy homemade dressing and you have a salad that is flavorful with amazing textures.
Pro tip, after you toss the salad together with the dressing, cover and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This will allow the broccoli to soften a bit and all of the flavors will come together to create an AMAZING salad.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- Broccoli– chop broccoli stalks into small florets.
- Cheddar cheese– buy a block of cheddar cheese (white or yellow) and grate it with a cheese grater.
- Bacon– chopped! The bacon adds a nice savory, smoky flavor.
- Dried cranberries– to add a little sweetness!
- Slivered almonds– for a nice crunch!
- Red onion– diced! I love using red onion for a pop of color!
For the Dressing:
- Mayonnaise– the base of the creamy dressing. You can use regular, light, or mayo made with avocado oil or olive oil.
- Greek yogurt– I like to use half mayo and half Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt adds protein, lightens the salad up a bit, and adds a little tanginess. Sour cream will also work!
- Apple cider vinegar– strong and tangy!
- Honey– to sweeten the dressing!
- Dijon mustard– tangy and sharp! A classic ingredient for dressings.
- Garlic-minced!
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe with ingredients and instructions.
- Make sure you chop the broccoli into small florets. You don’t want big pieces of broccoli in the salad. The smaller pieces are easier to eat and soak up the dressing nicely.
- In a large bowl combine broccoli florets, cheese, bacon, dried cranberries, almonds, and onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. The dressing will be nice and creamy!
- Pour dressing over broccoli salad and stir until well combined.
- For best results, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This will also help the broccoli soften and soak up the dressing.
Variations
- Nuts: instead of slivered almonds, use pecans, walnuts, pepitas, or sunflower seeds.
- Fruit: instead of dried cranberries, use golden raisins or currants. If you want to add fresh fruit; grapes, blueberries, pineapple, or chopped apples are all good options.
- Cheese: instead of shredded cheddar cheese, use mozzarella, Monterey jack, pepper jack, or feta cheese.
- Vegetarian: omit the bacon for a vegetarian broccoli salad.
- Onion: instead of red onion, use green onion.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli salad is a great side dish to any meal. If you need some ideas, here are some main dishes that pair well with the salad.
- Easy Skillet Chicken Thighs
- Steak Kabobs
- Best Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Soy Ginger Chicken
How to Store
Store the broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The broccoli is hearty and will hold up even after the salad is dressed. Stir before serving.
More Salad Recipes
- Simple Kale Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Easy Quinoa Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Find MORE Salad Recipes HERE!
More Broccoli Recipes
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped (about 1 lb broccoli stalks)
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese, white or yellow
- 6 strips cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, or golden raisins
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, can use sunflower seeds, chopped pecans, or pepitas
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, can use sour cream
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine broccoli florets, cheese, bacon, dried cranberries, almonds, and onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over broccoli salad and stir until well combined. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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More summer recipes with eggplants please. Eggplant is the perfect and versatile summer vegetable. You can make and come up with so many wonderful summer recipes with eggplants. Please, I beg you, share more summer eggplant recipes!! Please
I would like to make this but can something other than Greek yogurt be used?
Sour cream or you can use all mayo!