Broccoli Salad
A delicious Broccoli Salad can brighten up any meal, whether it’s a family dinner or a potluck gathering. This recipe combines crunchy broccoli with savory bacon, sweet cranberries, and creamy dressing for a delightful taste that everyone will love. The unique blend of flavors makes this salad not only appealing but also versatile enough to complement various dishes. It’s an easy-to-make side that’s perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this salad in no time.
- Flavor Explosion: The mix of crispy bacon, tangy cranberries, and creamy dressing creates a delightful taste experience.
- Versatile Dish: Ideal for holidays, picnics, or as a side to your main meals.
- Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with vitamins from broccoli and healthy fats from sunflower seeds.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Refrigerate the salad for an hour to enhance the flavors before serving.
Tools and Preparation
To prepare this scrumptious broccoli salad efficiently, gather the right tools. Having everything at hand helps streamline the process and ensures you don’t miss any steps.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Knife
Importance of Each Tool
- Mixing bowl: Essential for combining all the ingredients evenly.
- Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together the dressing without making a mess.
- Whisk: Helps achieve a smooth and creamy dressing by thoroughly blending ingredients.
Ingredients
A simple broccoli salad recipe made with bacon, cranberries, and other simple add-ins! Be sure to check out the recipe tutorial video!
For the Salad
- 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)
For the Dressing
- 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 Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, and red onion.
- Gently toss these ingredients until they are well mixed.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
Step 3: Mix Salad and Dressing
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl.
- Toss or stir well to ensure everything is coated evenly with the dressing.
Step 4: Chill Before Serving
- While you can serve immediately, refrigerating the salad for at least one hour allows flavors to meld beautifully.
- Before serving, give the salad another good toss to redistribute any settled dressing. Keep refrigerated if not consuming right away.
How to Serve Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you’re serving it as a main attraction or as a side, there are plenty of options to make your meal complete.
As a Side Dish
- Pair it with grilled chicken for a hearty meal.
- Serve alongside burgers to add a fresh crunch.
- Complement your barbecue spread with this vibrant salad.
In a Wrap
- Add broccoli salad to a tortilla wrap for an easy lunch.
- Combine it with sliced turkey or ham for a protein boost.
- Use leafy greens as the base and top with broccoli salad for extra flavor.
On a Bed of Greens
- Serve broccoli salad on mixed greens for added nutrition.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette for extra tanginess.
- Garnish with nuts or seeds for additional crunch.
With Crackers
- Use broccoli salad as a dip with whole-grain crackers.
- Spread it on toasted baguette slices for an appetizer.
- Pair it with veggie sticks for a healthy snack option.
As Meal Prep
- Pack portions in containers for quick lunches throughout the week.
- Add cooked quinoa or rice to make it more filling.
- Store in the fridge and enjoy cold throughout the week.
How to Perfect Broccoli Salad
To ensure your broccoli salad stands out, consider these helpful tips. They will enhance the flavors and texture of your dish, making it even more delightful.
- Choose fresh broccoli: Select vibrant green florets without yellowing. Freshness impacts flavor and texture significantly.
- Cut uniformly: Ensuring all pieces are similar in size helps them cook evenly if you plan to blanch them briefly before adding them to the salad.
- Let it chill: Allowing the salad to rest in the fridge enhances flavor as the ingredients meld together. Aim for at least one hour before serving.
- Balance flavors: Adjust sweetness or acidity by playing with sugar and vinegar amounts in your dressing. Taste as you go!
Best Side Dishes for Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad pairs perfectly with various dishes, making mealtime more exciting. Here are some great suggestions that complement its flavors beautifully.
- Grilled Chicken: Juicy and savory, grilled chicken makes for an excellent protein addition alongside this crunchy salad.
- Baked Potatoes: Creamy baked potatoes topped with sour cream and chives create a comforting pairing.
- Corn on the Cob: Fresh corn adds sweetness and texture, perfect for summer barbecues when served alongside broccoli salad.
- Quinoa Pilaf: A nutty quinoa pilaf brings wholesome grains into the mix while enhancing nutritional value.
- Stuffed Peppers: Colorful stuffed peppers filled with rice, beans, and cheese make for an eye-catching presentation next to broccoli salad.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: The sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes balances well against the tangy dressing of the broccoli salad.
- Pasta Salad: A light pasta salad offers great carbs that complement the crunchiness of your broccoli dish nicely.
- Fruit Platter: A refreshing fruit platter provides a sweet contrast, enhancing overall dining experience while keeping things light.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Broccoli salad is a delicious dish, but there are common pitfalls that can affect its taste and texture. Here’s how to avoid them.
- Using overcooked broccoli: Overcooking can make the broccoli mushy. Steam or blanch it just until it’s bright green for the best crunch.
- Skipping the chilling time: Serving immediately without chilling can result in bland flavors. Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.
- Not measuring ingredients accurately: Using too much or too little of any ingredient can throw off the balance. Always measure your ingredients for consistent results.
- Ignoring seasoning adjustments: Different brands of mayo or cheese can vary in saltiness. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
- Forgetting to toss before serving: Ingredients can settle, leading to uneven distribution. Always toss the salad again before serving for the best flavor.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Keep in the fridge to maintain freshness and crunch.
Freezing Broccoli Salad
- This salad does not freeze well due to its creamy dressing and fresh ingredients.
- It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Reheating Broccoli Salad
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Warm in a baking dish until heated through, but this is not usually recommended for salads.
- Microwave: Heat in short bursts of 30 seconds, checking frequently. This method may alter texture.
- Stovetop: Heat gently in a pan over low heat, stirring frequently. Not ideal, but possible if you prefer warm broccoli.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making broccoli salad.
What is Broccoli Salad?
Broccoli salad is a cold dish made primarily with fresh broccoli florets, mixed with various add-ins like cheese, nuts, and dried fruits.
Can I customize my Broccoli Salad?
Absolutely! You can add different ingredients like nuts, seeds, or even different vegetables to suit your taste preferences.
How long does Broccoli Salad last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, broccoli salad will last up to three days in the refrigerator.
Is Broccoli Salad healthy?
Yes! It includes nutrient-rich broccoli and other wholesome ingredients, making it a healthy choice when enjoyed in moderation.
Final Thoughts
This easy broccoli salad recipe is perfect for gatherings or as a side dish. Its combination of textures and flavors makes it versatile and enjoyable. Feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients for a personal touch!
Broccoli Salad
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
Description
Broccoli Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings together the crunchiness of fresh broccoli with savory bacon, sweet cranberries, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for gatherings or as a side for any meal, this salad is not only quick to prepare but also boasts nutritious benefits thanks to its wholesome ingredients. In just 10 minutes, you can create a delicious salad that offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Whether served at a family dinner or a summer barbecue, this versatile salad will leave everyone wanting more.
Ingredients
- 5–6 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (thickly shredded)
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled bacon
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup red onion (diced)
- ¾ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 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 stir well to coat evenly.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
