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Simple Broccoli Salad is tasty and hearty topped with a delicious homemade dressing. It’s perfect for BBQs and get-togethers.
This summery salad is a classic side dish – especially for any summer BBQ. I can never decide between taking this version, Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, or Broccoli Strawberry Salad to potlucks, because all are equally delicious!
Broccoli + Bacon = DELISH
We have enjoyed broccoli bacon salad for as long as I can remember. I think we first had it at 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 broccoli salad is my all-time favorite. It comes from my sister-in-law (on the hubby’s side).
As 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.
With summer get-togethers and BBQs every week, you need a good salad recipe on hand, and this one is a winner!
How to Make Broccoli Salad
This simple recipe of broccoli salad is quick, easy, and SO tasty.
DRESSING. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar and mix well.
COMBINE. Add broccoli and Craisins and stir to coat.
CHILL + SERVE. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Before serving, stir in sunflower seeds and crisp bacon.
Variations
Customize this best broccoli salad recipe by either swapping or adding ingredients. Here are some ideas for ways to tailor this recipe:
- Swap out the sunflower seeds for pine nuts, chopped pecans, cashews, or almonds.
- Add cubed or shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Use raisins or fresh red grapes instead of dried cranberries.
- Add other fruits and veggies: cauliflower florets, chopped kale, shredded carrots, chopped celery, apple chunks, or chopped red onion.
- Use lemon juice in place of the vinegar.
Recipe Tips
Broccoli Salad 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, add 1-2 tablespoons of Creole or other coarse-grain mustard (2 tablespoons is strong, so for a more mild flavor, stick with 1 tablespoon).
- Make it a little bit “healthier” by using miracle whip (dairy-free), or plain greek yogurt (less fat), but it will change the flavor slightly.
- Use honey or an alternative sweetener in place of the sugar.
Prepare the broccoli. Buy a bag of broccoli florets or cut your own. Wash the broccoli under running water and then pat dry. Remove the leaves, if any.
Use a paring knife to cut the crown from the larger stalk. Finally, cut each floret off the crown, leaving about an inch of the stem. If the florets are larger, cut them in half. Do not cook the broccoli, it’s used raw!
Vinegar. I usually use white wine vinegar, but apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar works great too!
Making Ahead and Serving
Make ahead of time. Broccoli salad can be prepared a day ahead of time without losing its texture. Leave out the bacon and nuts until ready to serve or they might get a little soggy.
If preparing it 2-3 days in advance, combine all of the salad ingredients and leave the dressing out until ready to serve. Once the dressing has been added to the broccoli salad with bacon, it will only last 1-2 more days in the fridge.
Serving outdoors. Since this broccoli salad recipe contains mayo I recommend adding ice to a bowl and then nestling the bowl of broccoli salad inside. The ice will help in keeping the salad cool.
Still be cautious about leaving it out for longer than a couple of hours, or less if the temperature is on the higher side.
Recipe FAQ
For this salad I feel like fresh is best to maintain the right crunch, but if you’re in a pinch and only have frozen that will work just fine, but you may want to blanch the frozen broccoli first.
This salad is the perfect compliment to you summer barbecue so we love serving it alongside Hamburgers, Dr. Pepper Ribs, and Baked Beans.
For more salad recipes, try:
- Summer Corn Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Quick Caprese Salad
- Easy Coleslaw
- Broccoli Strawberry Salad
- Pea Salad
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 7 cups chopped broccoli florets
- ½ cup Craisins
- ½ cup shelled sunflower seeds
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar and mix well.
- Add broccoli and Craisins 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Always a crowd pleasure, yum!
It is! Thank you for stopping by!
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 🙂
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.
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!
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 🙂
I like the addition of craisins sunflower seeds. Will definitely try.
Then you will love it! Let me know what you think 🙂
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 🙂
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!
It was a favorite at Thanksgiving. My new go-to recipe for potlucks.
Woohoo! Thank you for sharing it!
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 🙂