This Broccoli Salad Recipe is one of my favorite side dishes to make for potlucks, cookouts, and family gatherings. It combines crisp broccoli, crunchy bacon, sweet raisins, and a creamy homemade dressing for a salad that’s always one of the first dishes to disappear.
The best part is that it can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for busy holidays, summer BBQs, and weeknight dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
This is one of those recipes I can always count on when I need a side dish everyone will enjoy. I love that I can make it ahead of time, and the simple ingredients keep it budget-friendly too.
Everyone always asks for the recipe for this broccoli salad when I serve this. There is just something about the tangy and sweet dressing with the crunchy fresh broccoli that everyone absolutely loves.
I could eat this salad all by itself but it’s equally yummy paired with balsamic grilled chicken or a juicy burger sliders.
Quick Glance at this Recipe
- Easy make-ahead side dish
- Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and holidays
- Sweet, crunchy, creamy, and savory flavors
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Family-tested and crowd-approved
- Great for meal prep
- Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins
Ingredients
- Broccoli – Fresh broccoli works best for the crunchiest texture. Make sure it is well-drained after blanching.
- Bacon – Cooked bacon adds a salty crunch. Store-bought bacon bits can be used to save time.
- Raisins – The sweetness balances the tangy dressing. Dried cranberries work great too.
- Sunflower Seeds – Adds texture and crunch. Sliced almonds or chopped pecans are great substitutions.
- Red Onion – Adds flavor and color. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes if you prefer a milder onion flavor.
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the recipe card for the full recipe.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Step 1 – Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Toss the florets into the boiling water and blanch for about 3 minutes. Cook until they’re slightly softened and bright green. Drain and rinse in cold water.
Step 2 – Add raw broccoli, red onion and carrots to a mixing bowl. Mix well in a large bowl.
Step 3 – In a small bowl, combine mayo, sugar and vinegar and mix well.
Step 4 – Combine broccoli mixture with broccoli salad dressing and mix well.
Step 5 – Stir in raisins, bacon and sunflower seeds.
Step 6 – Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Recipe Tips
- Broccoli – We recommend wash and chop broccoli ahead of time. This ensure that the broccoli drains properly.
- Serving – We like to combine the ingredients a few hours before serving and store in fridge. This allows for the the salad ingredients to marinate together for the best flavor.
Variations
- Plain Greek Yogurt – For a lighter variation, you can use yogurt instead of mayo. You can also add in a tsp of Dijon Mustard.
- Cheese – Feel free to mix in sharp cheddar cheese to this classic broccoli salad recipe.
- Nuts – We love the addition of the sunflower seeds but slice almonds are also a great addition.
- Veggies – Feel free to add in other broccoli slaw to the mixture. We have added in red and green bell peppers for added flavor and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You can use completely raw broccoli if preferred. Blanching briefly softens the texture while keeping the broccoli crisp.
Yes. This salad is perfect for making ahead and can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.
Dried cranberries, chopped dried cherries, or grapes work well.
How to Store Leftovers
Store you leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. If the salad is stored properly, it will last up to 4 days.
More Easy Salad Recipes
If you make this creamy broccoli salad recipe, make sure to leave us a comment. We love hearing from you.
Creamy Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cut broccoli (cut into smaller, bite size pieces)
- ½ cup matchstick carrots
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup bacon pieces (about 4 strips)
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
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Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil.
- Add 4 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces to the boiling water and blanch for approximately 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain the broccoli and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched broccoli, ½ cup matchstick carrots, and ¼ cup diced red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar until smooth. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Add ¼ cup raisins, ¼ cup bacon pieces, and 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds. Stir to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve. Enjoy!
This salad looks so yummy & I really want 2 try it but my daughter is allergic 2 vinegar-do u have any suggestions on substitutions 4 the vinegar that’s in the dressing??