The best Broccoli Salad recipe is creamy, crunchy, and flavorful with bacon, craisins, almonds, and a simple dressing. It's an easy and quick side dish everyone loves!
Want more easy side dishes? Try Potatoes Au Gratin, Corn Casserole, Quinoa Salad, or Roasted Vegetables!
I've found Broccoli Salad is the unexpected star of dinner.
I've found Broccoli Salad is the unexpected star of dinner.Even my youngest kids enjoy eating broccoli when served in this salad. It has a delicious creamy dressing and is loaded with the best mix-ins like almonds, Craisins, bacon, and onions. The flavor combo is “bussin'”, as my tweenager would say. Plus it's easy to make ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve it any time of year, like during the summer with grilled chicken and grilled corn on the cob, or as a side with something fancy, like Prime Rib or King Crab Legs.
How to make Broccoli Salad:
Prep Broccoli: Blanch chopped broccoli, and whisk the dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Cook the bacon bits and chop almonds and onion.
Combine: Place all ingredients in the bowl then pour dressing on top. Toss until everything is combined then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions:
To Make Ahead: This recipe can be made a few hours or a day ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Store leftovers covered and in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Recipe Variations:
This salad is so customizable! Add whatever add-ins you have on hand! Here are some of my favorites:
- Cheese: add a handful of chopped cheddar cheese or manchego.
- Add-Ins: Toss in some sunflower seeds, pine nuts, pomegranate, or pecans.
- Raisins: Swap the Craisins for regular raisins if you prefer.
- Vegan: Use vegan mayonnaise and omit the bacon or use coconut bacon.
More Recipes with Broccoli:
- Broccoli Apple Salad
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Broccoli Casserole
- Broccoli Cheese Quiche
- Tahini Chicken Bowls
- Pasta Primavera
- Teriyaki Chicken
Follow me for more great recipes
Recipe
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 7-8 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 500 grams/1lb)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (I often use half plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 slices bacon , cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion , chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
- 1/2 cup almonds , chopped (*see note below)
Instructions
- Blanch broccoli (optional, or keep raw) in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to drain completely.
- Mix sauce in a large bowl: mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Stir well.
- Add broccoli, bacon, onion, cranberries or raisins and almonds to a large bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of sauce (you may not want to use it all).
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Toss again to coat before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Follow Me
*I first shared this recipe in March 2015. Updated December 2020 and November 2024.
This post contains affiliate links.
If you like broccoli crunchy can u not blanch?
Yes, of course 🙂
I don’t blanch the broccoli. My family likes the salad crunchy. I also add 1/2 to 1 cup jacama (diced in small cubes) it adds a sweet crunch to the salad and I use dry roasted peanuts instead of almonds or sunflower seeds.
Delicious broccoli salad! I’ve never made one before, but decided to give it a go as a way to use up broccoli instead of always steaming it.
I did not blanch the broccoli… too lazy. The dressing seemed to soften the broccoli as it marinated in the fridge over the course of the afternoon. I also used half mayo and half sour cream…wanted to try the Greek yogurt, but was all out. Also, I had a package of combo dried cranberries, pepitas, sunflower seeds & flax seeds and used that along w/almonds.
So I’m officially one of those people who don’t follow the recipe exactly. My deepest apologies, but I don’t think I’ve strayed too far off the original—and it was DELICIOUS.
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
I make this salad for every church supper. It is always a hit and easy to multiply for more than 8 servings.
I use some of my bacon grease in my dressing, and cut the sugar…yum, also do my pre blanch the broccoli..it’s better crisp and fresh the cider vinegar cooks the broccoli..
Outstanding salad! I added 1/2 cup of carrots in with florets while blanching and used Greek yogurt. Also soaked my red onions in pickled juice 5 -8 minutes. This salad recipe is definitely a keeper. Would not have tried a broccoli salad, but your recipe encouraged me. Thank you.
Fearless Mo
The dressing is perfect! I used golden raisins, sunflower kernels and diced sweet onion along with the bacon and it is delicious! My favorite side dish. Thank you for sharing.
I made this over the weekend and it was delicious! I used half greek yogurt and half mayo, as you suggest. I used pine nuts because it’s what I had on hand. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks.
Approximately how many people does the above Broccoli Salad recipe serve?
Hi Cindy, It serves about 8 as a side dish.
Hi Lauren,
Does this dressing resembles the coleslaw dressing, can I use it on the coleslaw without the bacon?
thanks!
Yes, you could use it without bacon