A simple, classic Broccoli Salad recipe that serves as a great fast side dish for any party or potluck. Made with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese and a homemade dressing, this is one of my favorite side dishes and it can be prepped in under fifteen minutes!
Please do not be alarmed by the amount of green in today’s post! I know broccoli salad is a little different from what you’re used to seeing here, where sugar and chocolate and cookies and definitely not broccoli are the norm, but bear with me.
Broccoli salad is one of my favorite side dishes (right up there with deviled eggs and macaroni salad). It’s perfect for serving alongside Easter dinner (or any holiday dinner) and is a simple and refreshing side dish for summer parties and pot lucks. It can be thrown together in under fifteen minutes and I guarantee you that at least one person is going to ask for the recipe, wherever you bring it.
In contrast to the broccoli, onion, and savory bacon and cheddar, this recipe has a surprising bit of sweetness thanks to a pinch of sugar and dried cranberries. The contrasting flavors blend perfectly together, and a splash of vinegar gives the dressing a subtle bite. This really is the perfect summer salad, and the best broccoli salad I think you’ll ever try.
Tips for Making the Best Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is easy to make, but there are a few tips I want to share to make everything come together perfectly for you.
Notes on Cheese
When buying cheese for your broccoli salad, the thicker the shred the better. Buy sharp or extra sharp cheddar and stay away from the finely shredded variety. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can just buy a block and shred it yourself. Another option is to cut the cheese into small cubes instead.
Broccoli: To Blanch or not to Blanch?
I never blanch my broccoli when making broccoli salad, and I’ve never received any complaints (in fact, I always get requests for this recipe!). If you prefer to do so, you can. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and then blanch your broccoli for no longer than 60 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse in cold water to stop the broccoli from over-cooking. Dry your broccoli thoroughly before proceeding.
You can buy pre-cut florets, but for me it was cheaper and not much more difficult to just buy a few heads of broccoli and cut it myself. This recipe required about 2.5 heads of broccoli for me to make it, but your mileage may vary depending on the size of your grocery store’s broccoli!
For best taste, let it sit!
While this easy broccoli salad can be served right away, I prefer to let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to let all of the flavors really meld together. Broccoli salad can be prepared up to 3 days in advance of serving.
How to Lighten Up Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad certainly isn’t health food, but there are a few modifications you can make to make it a bit less fattening. I’ve found that when people see broccoli salad they think they’re getting something healthy, so if that’s what you’re looking for, there are a few modifications you can try.
- Instead of using regular mayo, use one made with olive oil. I’m very picky about the type of mayo that I use and can’t stand the taste of reduced fat (and don’t get me started on Miracle Whip). I’ve found that using olive oil mayo in my broccoli salad recipe gives you all of the same creaminess and flavor while saving a few calories.
- You can replace some or all of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- Using pre-cooked bacon will save time and fat and calories. Make sure you’re using real bacon pieces and not imitation flavored “bits”. These are usually found in the salad dressing aisle and should say that they’re “real” bacon on the packaging. I’ve also found that this bacon holds up best to the moisture from the broccoli salad.
Keep in mind that ultimately broccoli salad (especially this broccoli salad with bacon and cheese!) is meant to be an indulgent side dish, and not health food!
OK, I hope I didn’t lose you with all of the broccoli photos!
Enjoy!
More Easy Side Dishes You Might Like:
Enjoy!
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets¹ 1 lb, this was about 2 ½ heads of broccoli for me (450g)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese thicker, not finely shredded (115g)
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries (85g)
- ½ cup crumbled bacon² (60g)
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds (60g)
- ⅓ cup red onion diced into small pieces (50g)
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayo I use olive oil mayo (175g)
- ¼ cup sour cream³ (70g)
- 1 ½ Tablespoon white wine vinegar⁴
- 3 Tablespoons sugar (40g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and onion in a large bowl.
- In a separate, small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
- Pour dressing over broccoli combination and toss or stir well.
- Broccoli salad may be served immediately, but for best flavor refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Make sure to toss broccoli salad thoroughly again before serving.Keep refrigerated if not consuming right away.
Notes
How to Store Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If you are making several days in advance, I recommend storing the salad and the dressing separately, then tossing everything together at least an hour before serving.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This Broccoli Salad Recipe was originally published 07/06/2017, re-published 04/15/2019.
Jay
Can you substitute raisins instead of cranberries and are sunflower seeds optional?
Sam
Yes and yes! Enjoy! 🙂
SUSANA CEBALLOS
Thank you so much for this great recipe. I have never eaten so much broccoli 🥦 in a day. It is super delicious! 😋
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Susana! 🙂
Leona
This salad is so absolutely amazing and delicious 😋
Dawn Rowe
Going to make this for a party this weekend. Can I substitute dried tart cherries for the cranberries?
Sam
Absolutely! Enjoy 🙂
Stacey
Delicious!!! It’s “a must have” recipe for my SO (like he talks about it weekly lol)
Personally it’s on the sweeter side for my preferences so playing around with the sugar amount to see if we can find a happy medium for both of us 🙂
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Stacey! 🙂
MaryKay Lawrence
Perfect exactly as written!❤
Julie
Made this today and I have to say it’s the best broccoli salad I have ever had! I will be making this again and again. I keep going back for more of it!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Julie! 🙂
Susanne Johns
I have made different variations of broccoli salad many times but have never used sour cream before. Does it make it that much better than just the mayo, sugar and vinegar ?
Debbie Ayers
I made this early this afternoon and we just had it for dinner. Excellent! When I read the list of ingredients I thought it was quite a hodgepodge but Sam’s recipes haven’t let me down yet so I went for it. Everything goes so well together! Good job Sam!!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Debbie! I know it may seem like an unusual combo of ingredients but it really is wonderful once all combined! Thank you for giving it a try! 🙂
Jaclyn
This was delicious!!!
Ruth
So easy to make and at the same time super delicious!!! My 9 year old enjoys making it with me. Thank you for posting
Sam
I am so glad that you both enjoyed making it together and loved the recipe, Ruth! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Francie
THE best broccoli salad ever! Easy to make, great flavors, and everyone I’ve served it to absolutely loves it. Perfect on a hot summer evening alongside a store bought rotisserie chicken. Simple and delicious supper!
Pat Letke
Made this and it was delicious!
Did make some modifications to make it healthier- used 3/4c Greek yogurt and 1/4c olive oil Mayo -was creamy and very tasty!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Pat! 🙂
Jane
Came across this recipe while looking for a Broccoli Salad to go with dinner tonight. I made it early so the flavors could blend. My husband came in at lunch and had two helpings! He couldn’t stop eating it! Not only easy to make, but the presentation is beautiful with all the varied colors. This is a definite keeper, and I highly recommend it! So glad I came across your website! Can’t wait to try other recipes!
Sam
I’m so glad you found my website, too, Jane! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, and I hope you love the others just as much! <3
Azi
This reminds me of the salad served in Souplantation. I used to call it “heaven salad”. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I really live your creations and recipes!!
Sam
Thank you so much for trying my recipes, Azi! I’m so glad this one was a success for you! 🙂
Ted Papafil
Delicious salad. I use it often for my catering events.
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoys it so much, Ted! 🙂
Ramona
I have made several of the Broccoli Salad recipe, and tried this one for the first time tonight. I have decided this is now my favorite! I like the addition of the sour cream…gives it a little zing! And the white wine vinegar was better than the usual apple cider vinegar in my opinion! Thanks for posting the recipe!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Ramona! 🙂