Best Broccoli Salad

Let’s talk about the best broccoli salad—yes, that one. The one you take to every BBQ, potluck, picnic, or lunchbox and never, ever bring back home because the bowl’s licked clean. The best part? You can whip it up in under 15 minutes, and it’s just the right mix of crunchy, creamy, salty, tangy, and sweet.

This best broccoli salad is everything we love in a side dish—loaded with fresh veggies, pops of dried fruit, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon (or not, we’ve got options), and a creamy dressing that hits all the right notes. Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches for the week or bringing something fresh to the table at the next family gathering, this one’s a keeper.

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Why You’ll Love This Best Broccoli Salad

This salad isn’t just a pretty bowl of greens—it’s a legit crowd-pleaser. And here’s why it’s earned the title of best broccoli salad in our kitchen (and soon, yours):

• Meal prep friendly – It holds up beautifully in the fridge for days.
• Crunch in every bite – Broccoli, red onion, seeds, and nuts bring texture galore.
• Totally customizable – Vegetarian? Gluten-free? Mayo-hater? We’ve got you.
• Kid-approved – The bacon and cheese do the heavy lifting here.
• Perfect for any occasion – From BBQs to weekday lunches, this healthy cold salad always fits the bill.

And let’s be honest—it’s way more exciting than your average deli-style salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Broccoli Salad

Here’s everything that goes into this dreamy, creamy broccoli bacon salad. You probably already have most of these in your kitchen.

Main Ingredients

• Fresh broccoli florets – About 2 large heads, chopped small. You can keep it raw for crunch or blanch for 1 minute to soften slightly.
• Crispy bacon – Cook and crumble about 6–8 strips (or use precooked to save time).
• Sharp cheddar cheese – Shredded or cubed. The sharper the better.
• Red onion – Thinly sliced for a bit of bite.
• Dried cranberries or raisins – Adds sweetness and balances the salty bits.
• Sunflower seeds or chopped almonds – For extra crunch and nuttiness.

If you’re a fan of raisin combos, don’t miss our sweet and tangy broccoli raisin salad variation.

The Dressing: Creamy, Tangy, and Just Sweet Enough

Let’s not mess around—this dressing is what brings the best broccoli salad to life. It’s creamy with a little tang and just a hint of sweetness.

• Mayonnaise – Full fat or light. Greek yogurt also works if you’re going for a no mayo broccoli salad.
• Apple cider vinegar – Brings the zing and cuts through the richness.
• Honey or sugar – Just enough to mellow out the vinegar.
• Salt & pepper – Always.

Want to brighten it up more? Add a small squeeze of lemon juice.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

Nothing fancy here. If you’ve got a cutting board and a bowl, you’re basically halfway done.

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls (one large, one small)
• Whisk or fork for the dressing
• Airtight container for leftovers or make-ahead lunch ideas

How to Make the Best Broccoli Salad (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how we throw it all together—and trust me, this is where the magic happens.

Step 1: Prep the Broccoli

Chop your broccoli into small bite-sized florets. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, blanch the broccoli for one minute in boiling water, then dunk it in an ice bath to cool it fast. Drain and pat dry.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

If using raw bacon, cook until crispy, then crumble. If you’ve got precooked bacon on hand—go ahead and save yourself the cleanup.

Step 3: Slice, Dice, and Shred

Thinly slice the red onion. Shred your cheddar cheese (or cube it if you want bigger bites). Measure out the dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.

Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust if needed. It should be creamy, slightly tangy, and lightly sweet.

Step 5: Toss It All Together

In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, bacon, red onion, cheese, cranberries, and seeds. Pour the dressing over and toss everything until well coated.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes—longer if you’ve got time. This gives the flavors time to meld and the broccoli to soften just a bit.

Looking for something hearty to go with it? Try our garlic shrimp and broccoli pairing for protein-packed meal.

Expert Tips for Nailing the Best Broccoli Salad

• Blanch or not to blanch? Raw broccoli keeps it crunchy. Blanched makes it easier to chew. You choose your own adventure.
• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded has fillers that mess with texture and flavor.
• Let it chill. This isn’t just for safety—it seriously improves the taste.
• Make it vegetarian. Just skip the bacon or swap in smoked almonds or tempeh.
• Add something sweet. If you’re not into raisins, go with chopped dried apricots or blueberries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best broccoli salad can go sideways if you’re not careful. Here’s how to keep it on track:

• Using too much dressing. You want everything lightly coated, not drowning.
• Big chunky broccoli. Keep it small and bite-sized.
• Not chilling it. It’s worth the wait—promise.
• Skipping the acid. That vinegar is what makes this salad sing.

Variations and Substitutions for the Best Broccoli Salad

This salad loves a remix. Try these swaps to keep things interesting:

• No mayo? Greek yogurt or vegan mayo is totally fine.
• No bacon? Use smoked almonds or skip it entirely.
• Low sugar? Use stevia or leave it out altogether.
• Different dried fruit? Go with cherries, apricots, or dates.
• Need more fiber? Toss in cooked quinoa or shredded Brussels sprouts.
• Make it nut-free. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds are perfect.

Craving more bold flavors? Try this Mexican street corn pasta salad as a flavorful contrast.

How to Store and Make Ahead

This is where the best broccoli salad really earns its stripes.

• Fridge life: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Meal prep: Great for school lunches, work meals, or snack bowls.
• Make ahead: Mix everything except the dressing, then combine 30 minutes before serving.

And don’t forget to pair it with our warm and creamy soup to pair with chilled broccoli salad on cooler days.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

You eat with your eyes first, right? Here are a few ideas to show off your broccoli masterpiece:

• Big family-style bowl – Garnish with extra seeds and cranberries.
• Mason jars – Great for packed lunches or grab-and-go options.
• With grilled meats – Chicken, steak, burgers—whatever’s hot off the grill.
• Potluck table – It holds up well at room temp, so it’s ideal.

Also looks amazing next to our colorful orzo salad for potluck variety.

FAQs

Best Broccoli Salad

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

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Description

This best broccoli salad is a crunchy, creamy, and colorful crowd-pleaser—perfect for BBQs, lunches, or potlucks.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large heads fresh broccoli, chopped small
• 6–8 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds or chopped almonds
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Chop broccoli into small florets. Optional: blanch in boiling water for 1 minute, then ice bath. Drain and pat dry.
2. Cook bacon until crispy if using raw. Crumble and set aside.
3. Slice red onion, shred or cube cheese, and measure cranberries and seeds.
4. In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
5. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, bacon, onion, cheese, cranberries, and seeds.
6. Pour dressing over salad and toss until well coated.
7. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For vegetarian version, omit bacon or swap in smoked almonds or tempeh. Customize with different dried fruits, seeds, or no mayo swaps.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 420mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

Final Thoughts

This really is the best broccoli salad—fresh, colorful, crave-worthy, and totally foolproof. Whether you’re a meal prep maven, a potluck hero, or just trying to get your kids to eat more veggies, this recipe is ready for all of it.

If you made this salad, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment, tag us @virilerecipes, or pass this recipe on to a fellow salad-lover. And if you’re feeling salad-happy, try something fruity next with this light and fruity watermelon cucumber salad option.

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