Broccoli Salad is a delightful and well-rounded side dish, boasting a harmonious blend of crisp, crunchy, and creamy textures. This healthy salad typically features fresh broccoli, sharp cheddar, and crispy toppings such as sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and bacon, all expertly tossed together in a creamy dressing.
Offering a nutritious and refreshing taste experience, this salad is one of the finest summer recipes, serving as a perfect accompaniment to grilled, roasted or baked meats, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches for both lunch and dinner.
The recipe shared here provides easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, ensuring a seamless preparation of the delectable broccoli salad. With a detailed video demonstration accompanying the instructions, the process becomes visually clear and accessible.
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What is Broccoli Salad?
Broccoli Salad is a crispy, crunchy, and creamy side dish loaded with healthy nutrients. Made with fresh broccoli florets, combined with the satisfying crunch of sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, bacon bits, sharp cheddar, and the creamy mayo dressing. This salad is an excellent addition to various side dishes such as grilled, roasted, or baked meats, roasted or baked vegetables, and seafood. The delightful combination of textures and tastes also complements sandwiches and burgers, adding a fresh and nutritious element to lunch and dinner.
During summer, this Broccoli Salad shines as the perfect addition to your dining table. With its fresh green vegetable and crunchy toppings, it captures the essence of the season. The combination of vibrant broccoli florets, toasted sunflower seeds, and tangy red onions creates a burst of summery flavors. The creamy mayo dressing brings a luscious and indulgent touch.
Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or simply looking for a nutritious addition to your daily meals, this salad promises to leave everyone wanting more, making it an essential dish to savor during the sunny summer months.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients needed for making this Broccoli Salad are a selection of fresh produce, crunchy toppings, and a creamy mayo dressing. Let's take a closer look at each component:
- Broccoli: Crisp and mildly earthy veggie, provides a fresh and satisfying crunch to the salad
- Red Onion: It is pungent and slightly sweet, adding a zesty kick and a pop of vibrant color
- Sharp Cheddar: It has a rich and savory flavor complementing the broccoli with a creamy and tangy note
- Toasted and Salted Sunflower Seeds: Nutty and crunchy, offering a delightful contrast to the other textures in the salad
- Dried Cranberries: Adds a sweet and tart flavor, providing bursts of fruity flavor that balance the savory elements
- Bacon Bits: Has savory and smoky flavor, infusing the salad with a rich and indulgent taste
- Mayonnaise: It is a creamy and rich condiment, forming the base of the dressing and adding a luscious texture
- Vinegar (apple cider or white): Adds a tangy and slightly acidic flavor, balancing the richness of the mayonnaise with a bright note
- Brown Sugar or White Sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness that complements the tartness of the cranberries and vinegar
- Black Pepper Powder: Adds warm and peppery flavor notes, adding a touch of spice and enhancing the overall flavor profile
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Broccoli Salad at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Broccoli Salad, a refreshing and nutritious side dish. This vibrant salad often includes crisp broccoli, tangy dried cranberries, sharp cheddar cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, and savory bacon bits, all coated in a creamy mayo dressing.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Prep Broccoli Salad Dressing
- Combine: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. Set this dressing aside for later use
Prep Broccoli Salad
- Prep Broccoli: To prepare the salad, start by washing the broccoli heads under running water and then air-drying them. Trim the tough stems from the broccoli and separate each floret, cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Reserve these prepared florets for later use
- Prep Onion: Next, finely slice the onion and add it to the bowl containing the prepared broccoli florets
- Add other toppings: Add the sharp cheddar, toasted and salted sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and bacon bits to the bowl
- Dress the salad: Now, drizzle the previously prepared salad dressing over the ingredients in the bowl. Gently mix everything together, ensuring you evenly distribute the dressing. Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste
Tips
- Selecting Fresh Broccoli: Choose fresh broccoli with firm florets and vibrant green color. Avoid broccoli with yellowing or wilted parts, as it may indicate it's past its prime
- Properly Wash Broccoli: Thoroughly wash the broccoli heads under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat dry with a paper towel or allow it to air-dry to avoid excess moisture in the salad
- Trimming and Cutting: Trim off the tough stems and separate the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Cutting the florets evenly will ensure consistent cooking and mixing
- Blanch or Steam (Optional): If you prefer slightly tender broccoli in your salad, consider blanching or steaming the florets for a minute or two. This process can also help retain the vibrant green color
- Balance Flavors: Aim for a well-balanced flavor profile in the salad. Adjust the sweetness, acidity, and saltiness in the dressing to complement the ingredients and personal taste preferences
- Add Crunch: Incorporate ingredients like toasted and salted sunflower seeds or chopped nuts to add a pleasant crunch to the salad
- Dress the Salad Sparingly: Start by adding a little dressing to the salad and then gradually increase it as needed. You want to coat the ingredients evenly without overwhelming the flavors
- Resting Time: Allowing the salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving helps the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings, toppings, or mix-ins to create your unique version of this salad
- Dressing: You can also use alternatives such as ranch dressing for a creamy option, coleslaw dressing for a tangy twist, or a simple vinaigrette with olive oil and vinegar for a lighter and refreshing choice. These alternatives will offer diverse flavors to complement your broccoli salad
Storage Suggestions
Broccoli Salad typically stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days when stored correctly in a sealed container in the refrigerator. To maintain its quality, it's crucial to transfer the salad to an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap before refrigerating. This helps preserve its texture and prevents any undesirable odors from permeating the salad. It's also essential to store the salad at a consistent, cool temperature to prolong its freshness.
To further extend the salad's lifespan, consider slightly underdressing it initially and reserving some dressing separately. Right before serving, add more dressing to prevent the salad from becoming soggy. Additionally, if your broccoli salad includes ingredients like nuts, seeds, or bacon bits, consider storing them separately and adding them right before serving to maintain their crunchiness.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli Salad can be a delicious and nutritious side dish that complements many main courses. Here are some ideas for what you can serve with it:
- Chicken Dishes: Grilled or roasted chicken, baked chicken breasts, or thighs are a great protein option to serve with Broccoli Salad. The chicken's savory flavors will complement the sweetness of the dried cranberries and the creaminess of the dressing
- Salmon or Tuna: Broccoli Salad pairs well with grilled or baked salmon or tuna. The healthy fats in the fish and the fresh flavors will go nicely with the salad
- Steak: A juicy and well-seasoned steak can be a hearty and satisfying main course alongside this light and refreshing salad
- Burgers: Whether you opt for beef, turkey, chicken, or veggie burgers, broccoli salad can be a refreshing and crunchy side dish to balance the richness of the burgers.
- Sandwiches: Broccoli salad can be a great addition to a sandwich platter. Serve it with cold cuts, grilled vegetable sandwiches, or even a classic club sandwich
- Quiche: A savory quiche filled with vegetables or meat pairs nicely with a side of broccoli salad. The contrast of textures and flavors works well together.
- Pasta Dishes: This Salad can be great with pasta dishes, such as pesto pasta, creamy Alfredo pasta, or light lemon pasta with roasted vegetables
- Stir-Fries: For a healthy and well-rounded meal, pair the Broccoli Salad with a vegetable or tofu stir-fry
- Grain Bowls: Create a nourishing grain bowl with a base of quinoa, brown rice, or farro, topped with roasted vegetables, avocado, and Broccoli Salad
Related Recipes
You can also find salad recipes below and more at summer recipes, and dressing recipes.
- Pasta Salad
- Greek Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Cobb Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Coleslaw Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Potato Salad
- Pico De Gallo
More Broccoli Recipes:
Broccoli Salad Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Broccoli Salad recipe below that I hope will help you make a healthy side dish at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
For Broccoli Salad
- 2 heads Broccoli, medium size yields about 5 to 6 cups of florets
- ½ Red Onion, medium size
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar
- ½ cup Sunflower Seeds, toasted and salted
- ⅔ cup Dried Cranberries
- ½ cup Bacon bits, 5 to 6 bacon crumbled
For Broccoli Salad Dressing
- 1½ cup Mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp Vinegar, apple cider or white
- 2 tbsp Brown Sugar, or white sugar
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder, or adjust to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
Prep Broccoli Salad Dressing
- In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. Set aside for later use
Prep Broccoli Salad
- Begin by washing the broccoli heads under running water and then air-drying them. Trim the tough stems from the broccoli and separate each floret, cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Add these prepared florets into a bowl
- Next, finely slice the onion and add it to the bowl containing the prepared broccoli florets
- Add the sharp cheddar, toasted and salted sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and bacon bits to the bowl
- Now, drizzle the previously prepared broccoli salad dressing over the ingredients in the bowl. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed. Allow the Broccoli Salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to develop its delicious taste
To Serve
- Serve this delightful Broccoli Salad alongside roasted chicken, oven-roasted drumsticks, salmon dishes, burgers, sandwiches, pasta dishes, or any other favorite dishes of your choice
Video
Notes
- Selecting Fresh Broccoli: Choose fresh broccoli with firm florets and vibrant green color. Avoid broccoli with yellowing or wilted parts, as it may indicate it's past its prime
- Properly Wash Broccoli: Thoroughly wash the broccoli heads under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat dry with a paper towel or allow it to air-dry to avoid excess moisture in the salad
- Trimming and Cutting: Trim off the tough stems and separate the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Cutting the florets evenly will ensure consistent cooking and mixing
- Blanch or Steam (Optional): If you prefer slightly tender broccoli in your salad, consider blanching or steaming the florets for a minute or two. This process can also help retain the vibrant green color
- Balance Flavors: Aim for a well-balanced flavor profile in the salad. Adjust the sweetness, acidity, and saltiness in the dressing to complement the ingredients and personal taste preferences
- Add Crunch: Incorporate ingredients like toasted and salted sunflower seeds or chopped nuts to add a pleasant crunch to the salad
- Dress the Salad Sparingly: Start by adding a little dressing to the salad and then gradually increase it as needed. You want to coat the ingredients evenly without overwhelming the flavors
- Resting Time: Allowing the salad to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving helps the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste
- Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings, toppings, or mix-ins to create your unique version of this salad
- Dressing: You can also use alternatives such as ranch dressing for a creamy option, coleslaw dressing for a tangy twist, or a simple vinaigrette with olive oil and vinegar for a lighter and refreshing choice. These alternatives will offer diverse flavors to complement your broccoli salad
Nutrition
FAQ
Yes, you can cook the broccoli for the salad by blanching, steaming, or roasting it. Blanching or steaming will result in a tender yet crisp texture, while roasting adds a delicious caramelized flavor.
In addition to sunflower seeds, you can enhance your broccoli salad with walnuts for a nutty flavor or sliced almonds for a subtle sweetness and crunch. Other options include pecans, pine nuts, or pumpkin seeds, each contributing unique textures and tastes to the salad.
In place of mayo dressing, you can use alternatives such as ranch dressing for a creamy option, coleslaw dressing for a tangy twist, or a simple vinaigrette with olive oil and vinegar for a lighter and refreshing choice. These alternatives will offer diverse flavors to complement your broccoli salad.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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