Broccoli Salad
A simple and delicious Broccoli Salad recipe awaits you! This dish blends fresh broccoli florets with savory bacon, sweet cranberries, and creamy dressing, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering, a picnic, or just looking to add some greens to your meal, this salad stands out with its vibrant flavors and crunchy textures. Get ready to impress your guests with this easy-to-make dish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this delightful salad in no time.
- Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of crispy bacon and sweet cranberries adds a unique twist that elevates traditional broccoli salad.
- Versatile Dish: Perfect as a side for barbecues, potlucks, or even as a light lunch option.
- Nutritious Choice: Broccoli brings essential vitamins while the added ingredients provide a satisfying crunch without sacrificing taste.
- Make Ahead Option: This dish tastes even better after chilling in the fridge, making it great for meal prep.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the recipe, gather the necessary tools to make your cooking experience smoother.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Knife
Importance of Each Tool
- Large mixing bowl: Ideal for combining all ingredients without spilling.
- Whisk: Helps achieve a smooth consistency for the dressing.
- Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables.
Ingredients
A simple broccoli salad recipe made with bacon, cranberries, and other simple add-ins! Be sure to check out the recipe tutorial video!
Fresh Ingredients
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets¹ (1 lb; about 2 ½ heads of broccoli)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (thicker, not finely shredded)
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled bacon²
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup red onion (diced into small pieces)
Dressing Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayo (I use olive oil mayo)
- ¼ cup sour cream³
- 1 ½ Tablespoon white wine vinegar⁴
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, crumbled bacon, salted sunflower seeds, and diced red onion.
- Gently toss these ingredients together until evenly mixed.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
Step 3: Mix Everything Together
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture.
- Toss or stir well to ensure all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
Step 4: Chill Before Serving
- While you can serve immediately, refrigerating for at least one hour enhances the flavors.
- Just before serving, give the salad another good toss and keep refrigerated if not consuming right away.
Now you have a delicious Broccoli Salad recipe that is sure to please any crowd! Enjoy!
How to Serve Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is a versatile dish that pairs well with various meals. You can enjoy it as a side or even as a light main course. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your broccoli salad experience.
Pair with Grilled Meats
- Chicken: The fresh crunch of broccoli salad complements grilled chicken beautifully.
- Steak: A hearty steak shines when served alongside this refreshing salad.
- Fish: Grilled salmon adds a smoky flavor that balances the tanginess of the salad.
Use as a Picnic Dish
- Portable and Easy: Broccoli salad travels well, making it perfect for picnics.
- Make Ahead: Prepare it in advance for easy serving and better flavor development.
Serve as a Potluck Favorite
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dish is sure to be a hit at gatherings.
- Easy to Double: Scale up the recipe to serve larger groups effortlessly.
Add to Lunchboxes
- Healthy Option: Pack broccoli salad for a nutritious lunch option.
- Versatile: It pairs well with sandwiches or wraps for a complete meal.
How to Perfect Broccoli Salad
To ensure your broccoli salad turns out delightful every time, consider these tips:
- Flavors: Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more robust taste that enhances the overall flavor.
- Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh broccoli florets instead of frozen for the best texture and taste.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- Customize Add-ins: Feel free to add nuts or seeds for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Adjust Dressing Consistency: If the dressing is too thick, whisk in a bit of water or lemon juice until you reach your desired consistency.
Best Side Dishes for Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad makes an excellent addition to many meals. Here are some fantastic side dishes that pair well with it:
- Garlic Bread: This classic side adds warmth and flavor, perfect for balancing the freshness of broccoli salad.
- Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn brings a delightful crunch that complements the textures in your salad.
- Roasted Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes provide satisfying heartiness next to your light broccoli salad.
- Coleslaw: Another crunchy option, coleslaw can add different flavors while keeping things fresh.
- Baked Beans: The sweetness of baked beans contrasts nicely with the tangy notes in broccoli salad.
- Caprese Salad: Fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes create a light and flavorful pairing that works well together.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding common mistakes can help you create the perfect broccoli salad. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Using finely shredded cheese: Opt for thicker pieces of cheddar cheese instead of finely shredded varieties. This prevents the cheese from clumping and enhances the overall texture.
- Forgetting to chill: While you can serve broccoli salad immediately, refrigerating it for at least an hour maximizes flavor. Don’t skip this step if you want a tastier dish!
- Overdressing: Be careful not to use too much dressing. Start with less and add more to taste. This ensures your broccoli salad won’t be soggy.
- Ignoring ingredient freshness: Always use fresh broccoli and other ingredients. Fresh produce enhances the flavor and crunch of your salad.
- Skipping customization: Don’t be afraid to add or swap ingredients! Try adding nuts, different cheeses, or even fruits to personalize your broccoli salad.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store broccoli salad in an airtight container.
- It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
Freezing Broccoli Salad
- Freezing is not recommended as it can affect the texture of the ingredients.
- If you must freeze it, consider freezing only the dressing separately.
Reheating Broccoli Salad
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C), place the salad in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm for about 15 minutes.
- Microwave: Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat for 30 seconds or until warm.
- Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making broccoli salad:
Can I make broccoli salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance. Just remember to refrigerate it so flavors develop overnight.
What can I substitute for bacon in my broccoli salad?
You can use turkey bacon or even crispy chickpeas if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.
How do I make my broccoli salad vegan?
Swap out the mayo and sour cream with plant-based alternatives like avocado mayo and coconut yogurt.
Is this Broccoli Salad recipe healthy?
Absolutely! This recipe is packed with nutrients from fresh vegetables and provides a good balance of protein and fats.
Can I add other vegetables to my Broccoli Salad?
Definitely! Feel free to add bell peppers, carrots, or even peas for added color and crunch.
Final Thoughts
This easy broccoli salad recipe combines delicious flavors and textures that everyone will love. It’s perfect as a side dish or even as a light meal on its own. Plus, feel free to customize it by adding your favorite ingredients! Give this recipe a try; you won’t be disappointed!
Broccoli Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
Description
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this easy-to-make Broccoli Salad, a delightful blend of fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, and sweet cranberries. This refreshing salad features a creamy dressing that ties together its crunchy textures and bold tastes, making it perfect for family gatherings, picnics, or as a nutritious side dish. With just 10 minutes of prep, you can impress your guests with a colorful and satisfying salad that’s both delicious and healthy. Ideal for meal prep, this dish tastes even better after chilling in the fridge!
Ingredients
- 5–6 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled bacon
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ¾ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ tbsp white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp sugar
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and red onion. Toss gently.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and mix well to coat.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving to enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
