Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad is a popular, creamy, and crunchy side dish, often found at potlucks and BBQs. While there are variations, a classic broccoli salad typically features raw broccoli florets, a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing, and a mix of delicious add-ins like bacon, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds.

Here’s a popular recipe for a creamy broccoli salad:

Classic Creamy Broccoli Salad

This recipe yields about 6-8 servings and takes around 15-20 minutes of prep time, plus chilling.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

  • 6-8 cups (about 2-3 heads) fresh broccoli florets, cut into small, bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup finely diced red onion
  • ½ cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
  • ½ cup salted sunflower seeds (or chopped almonds, pecans, or cashews)
  • ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6-8 strips, depending on thickness)
  • Optional: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

For the Dressing:

  • ¾ – 1 cup mayonnaise (you can use light mayo or a mix of mayo and Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
  • 2-3 tablespoons white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar or honey (adjust to your sweetness preference)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Bacon (if using fresh bacon): Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble when cool. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the Broccoli: Wash and thoroughly dry the broccoli. Cut the florets into small, bite-sized pieces. If you like, you can also finely chop a portion of the tender broccoli stems. Place the prepared broccoli in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add Other Salad Ingredients: To the bowl with the broccoli, add the finely diced red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds (and shredded cheddar cheese, if using).
  4. Make the Dressing: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, white wine or apple cider vinegar, sugar (or honey), salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the sweetness, tanginess, and seasoning to your liking.
  5. Combine and Chill: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl. Toss or stir well until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Add Bacon: Stir in the crumbled bacon. Some people prefer to add the bacon just before serving to keep it extra crispy.
  7. Chill: For best flavor and to allow the broccoli to slightly soften and absorb the dressing, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Many find it tastes even better after 2-3 hours or overnight.

Tips and Variations:

  • Soften the Onion: If you find raw red onion too strong, dice it and soak it in a small bowl of ice water for 10-15 minutes before adding to the salad. Drain and pat dry thoroughly.
  • Broccoli Texture: While most recipes use raw broccoli for its crunch, if you prefer a slightly softer texture, you can quickly blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then immediately plunge it into an ice bath to stop the cooking. Make sure to drain and dry it very well before adding it to the salad.
  • Sweetener: Adjust the amount of sugar or honey in the dressing to your preference. Some prefer a sweeter salad, while others like it more tangy.
  • Other Add-ins: Get creative! You can add:
    • Diced apples
    • Different nuts (pecans, walnuts, sliced almonds)
    • Other cheeses (feta, Monterey Jack)
    • Chopped celery
    • Shredded carrots
  • Lighter Dressing: To make the dressing lighter, replace half or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. You might need to adjust the other dressing ingredients to balance the flavor.
  • Make Ahead: Broccoli salad is excellent for making ahead as the flavors meld and the broccoli softens slightly in the dressing. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Enjoy your delicious broccoli salad!

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