This Sunny Broccoli Salad is a simple, tasty and hearty broccoli salad served with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and mixed with a delicious, homemade mayonnaise-vinegar based dressing that is perfect for BBQs and get togethers.
This recipe is a classic side dish – especially for any BBQ or summer party. Not only is it simple, but the homemade dressing and bacon take it to the next level. Bring it with our famous potato salad and pulled pork and everyone will love you!
Broccoli + Bacon = DELISH
We have enjoyed Broccoli Salad for as long as I can remember. I think we first had it a BBQ restaurant years ago and have tried numerous recipes since then.
I’ve posted a few broccoli salads here on the site (Strawberry Broccoli Salad and this Broccoli Slaw), and both are delicious, but this one is my all-time favorite recipe for Broccoli Salad. It comes from my sister-in-law (on the hubby’s side).
As I had mentioned, we have tried lots of versions of this recipe, but today’s version has all the ingredients that I love. The combination of broccoli, sunflower seeds, bacon, and craisins is absolutely amazing. Since I first tried this recipe, we have made it a few more times and even my family agreed it was their new favorite.
THE DRESSING
This super simple dressing is just the right amount of creamy without being too heavy. It consists of only three ingredients: mayo, vinegar, and sugar.
For a punch of flavor, you can add 1-2 TB of Creole or other coarse grain mustard (2 TB is strong, so if you’re looking for a more mild flavor, stick with 1 TB).
If you’re not a huge fan of mayo-based dressings or want to make it a little bit “healthier”, you can use miracle whip (dairy free), or plain greek yogurt (less fat), but it will change the flavor slightly.
You can always use honey or an alternative sweetener in place of the sugar.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
We love that this recipe takes just about 10-15 minutes to make. The ingredients needed include:
- mayonnaise (reduced-fat mayonnaise, or salad dressing)
- craisins
- sugar
- vinegar
- fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- shelled sunflower seeds
- bacon, cooked and crumbled
In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, craisins, sugar, and vinegar. Add broccoli and stir to coat. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
What type of vinegar do you use? I usually use white distilled vinegar, but apple cider or red wine vinegar work great too!
Do you have to cook the broccoli for broccoli salad? Nope! That’s the beauty of this salad—you just have to throw all the ingredients together, no cooking required (except for the bacon!). Don’t let the raw greens scare you away! The raw broccoli is what adds the deliciously fresh crunch to this salad.
broccoli salad variations:
Ingredients to add: There are so many ways you can customize this recipe by either swapping or adding ingredients. Here are some ideas for ways you can tailor this recipe for your crowd.
- Swap out the sunflower seeds for pine nuts, chopped pecans, cashews, or almonds.
- Add cubed or shredded cheddar cheese.
- Use raisins or fresh red grapes instead of craisins.
- Add other fruits and veggies like cauliflower florets, chopped kale, shredded carrots, chopped celery, apple chunks, chopped red onion, etc.
MAKING AHEAD + STORING
Broccoli salad can be prepared a day ahead of time without losing its texture. Just be sure to leave out the bacon and nuts until you’re ready to serve or they might get a little soggy.
If you need to prepare it 2-3 days in advance, combine all of the salad ingredients and leave the dressing out until you’re ready to serve. Once the dressing has been added to the salad, it will only last 1-2 more days in the fridge.
With summer get togethers and BBQs every week, you better believe we will be making this salad more often, and I hope you guys enjoy it just as much as we did!
For more salad recipes, check out:
Broccoli Salad Recipe
This Sunny Broccoli Salad is a simple, tasty and hearty broccoli salad served with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and mixed with a delicious, homemade mayonnaise-vinegar based dressing that is perfect for BBQs and get togethers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 7 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
-
In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, craisins, sugar, and vinegar. Add broccoli and stir to coat. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
-
Before serving, stir in sunflower seeds and bacon. ENJOY!
I also get asked to bring this salad all the, but I substitute red grapes for cruising, also add some purple onion..
Crasins
I prefer craisins over grapes too!
Same here. Add red grapes, red onions as well some cheddar cheese. Yummy.
I make this salad but all green onion, chopped celery, and cashews. The cashew really make it. You should try it. The celery gives it a little more crunch.
Will have to give it a try – thanks!
Made the broccoli salad before and love it. But didn’t add the bacon. What a great idea! Will add next time. Just more flavor.
The bacon definitely isn’t necessary, but it makes it even better. Let me know if you try it again with the bacon. 😉
Great recipe ….big hit 4th picnic…I cut back to 2 tbls sugar and used 1/2 cherry craisins and 1/2 cranberry ….
I love hearing that!! Thank you so much for trying it & for letting me know!
Just wanted to say Thanks for the broccoli salad recipe. I found it a week ago and have made it three times!!!!!Love the easy prep! Have cooked for 50 years and am tired of chopping!Thanks so much for an easy and delicious recipe! Ten stars!!!
You are so sweet!! Makes me so happy to hear you’ve made it 3 times in one week!! Thank you so much!! 🙂
Are salted sunflower seeds okay? I don’t want it to be too salty with the bacon and sunflower seeds, but it’s all I have!!
Yes 🙂 I hope you like it!!
what dressing did you use for the salad?
It is a homemade dressing, which is in the recipe 🙂 Hope that helps!
Can you substitute miracle whip for the mayonnaise? I am trying to make it dairy free.
I’m sure you could, though I have not tried. It will change the taste a little, since they do taste differently! ENJOY!
Tried this salad but used Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise
Good idea 🙂
This salad was delicious. Even my non-brocolli eating son enjoyed it. Thank you very very much!
Yay!! That’s awesome! Thanks for giving it a try!
I could eat the whole thing my self, lol. Love it!!!!!!!!!
LOL..so, could I 🙂 It’s broccoli..got to be healthy!
I am making this salad for thanksgiving instead of traditional broccoli. What type of vinegar do you use?
I’m going to make it for Thanksgiving also, and am wondering if people have tried different vinegars? Like Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar? I’m guessing you just use white vinegar?
I always use apple cider vinegar
Thank you, I think I’ll try the apple cider vinegar. Happy Thanksgiving!
I did use the white, but the apple cider would be great!
You could totally use the apple cider one 🙂 I just used white distilled, but I’m sure that will work just fine.
I used white, distilled, but you could use apple cider vinegar 🙂
It was a favorite at Thanksgiving. My new go-to recipe for potlucks.
Woohoo! Thank you for sharing it!
Do you think this would be OK in a backpack for a few days hiking along the west coast? Good fast energy!
I’m not sure! I’d think it needs to stay cold, but honestly haven’t tried! Sounds fun!
I make this too, except instead of seeds I use diced apples. I think using both together would be good.
It would be! Thank you for sharing that! I will have to try 🙂
I like the addition of craisins sunflower seeds. Will definitely try.
Then you will love it! Let me know what you think 🙂
Happy Memorial Day! I LOVE this salad!!!!!
Have made at least 20 times and it is always gobbled up even by non broccoli lovers! One of the few salads I put bacon in. I feel it makes the dish. Thanks for a great salad that doesn’t make me chop a dozen items! Very easy!
You are so welcome!! And, I agree! Thank you for sharing 🙂
How long would this stay good for in the fridge?
I would say a few days. It could be a little longer. We don’t usually have much left to save, so I can’t honestly say, but I’d say 3-5 days. Hope that helps!
Thank you for posting a broccoli salad recipe that’s not weird. Why does everyone put cheese in it? Or mustard? Blech. This is to the point and delicious. I use pine nuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, and add red onion to mine. This is the best summer salad, and EVERYONE asks me to bring it to BBQs.
I agree about it being the best!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Do you steam the broccoli first for a minute or so?
Nope, but I guess you could, if you wanted to. I just added fresh, chopped, cold broccoli. It has a nice crunch & the dressing softens them up a little.
I love this broccoli salad recipe! So many of these similar recipes call for a much higher sugar usage and I love that yours is only 3T. Also, I substitute lemon juice instead of the entire amount of vinegar that you call for. I do a splash of white vinegar and just under 2T for my lemon juice ! I can’t wait to follow you on Pinterest!
Thank you 🙂 I can’t wait for you to follow me, either!! I hope you find some good stuff to try 🙂
Always a crowd pleasure, yum!
It is! Thank you for stopping by!
Hello! Im planning to make this salad for anget together this weekend. Quick question, did you Cook the bacon for this salad or do you think it would be ok to use the precooked bacon bought feom the store?
Definitely either would work! I’ve done both 🙂 Have fun!
Great rEcipe
Thank you so much!!
This is the best broccoli salad! I love the flavor, it’s very easy to make, & always gone in minutes!
Broccoli salad is a favorite in our home. Its usually A dish we serve in the summertime but actually good anytime of the year. Its one of those diShes that you can add oR take away ingredients.
BROCCOLI salad is my favorite! It always makes an APPEARANCE at family get togethers!
This is my fave!
I’m always LOoking for Keto friendly food for my husband. I used a sugar SUBSTITUTE and used full fat Mayo. He loved it and so did I. the combination of all the ingredients was so good. Thanks!
one of the best broccoli salads ever!!
Yay!! Thank you so much for sharing that!
So creamy and delicious! I buy the big pre-cut bags of broccoli florets at costco.
One of the best side dishes ever!!
This Salad is AMazing! My kids loved it esp since it has bacon in it!
Actualy its a question
How to make it so ny vegan son wIll also can eat it?
I am honestly not sure what he can/can’t eat, so you can really substitute whatever you like.
How much is a serving ??
It is close to 1 cup 🙂
Will have to give it a try – thanks!
Hope you will 🙂 Thank you!
My entire family eats up this salad! Its so good and a new regular Side For weekly meals.
That makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you for trying it!
Made this for Easter. No leftovers😢 But had a wee bit of leftover bro so were making it for dinner tonigHt. Great recipie! Easy enough for mYhusband to do!
Glad you tried it & even happier, that it was a hit! Thank you!
Broccoli Salad is a summer must have recipe! This one did not disappoint! We will be making this again for sure!
Best broccoli!!!!
I agree!! Thank you 🙂
this salad was amazing . the only thing i did DIFFERENT was add finally chopped purple onion.
Excellent salad!! I used 1/3 c. mayo, 1/3 c. lite sour Cream, 1/3 c. Greek Yogurt. Everything else the same. A keeper.
Glad it’s a keeper! Thank you for sharing what you did!
I Am Making for a party and Want to omit the bacon. Should i add some salt or other spice so not bland? I maDe this past weekend with bacon and cheddar. I didnt care For cheddar and my husband DOesnt care for bacon. Othe it iS delicious!!
You could leave it totally or add whatever you like. You can’t really mess it up, which makes it the best recipe!
We THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS SALAD. EXCELLENT FLAVOR AND EASY TO MAKE AND STORE!
Happy you did! Thank you so much!