The Easiest Broccoli Salad Recipe| All Things Mamma (2024)

This Easy Broccoli Salad recipe is an amazing addition to your summer salad menu! Raw, crunchy broccoli, lots of salty bacon and cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing will make this one a family favorite!

The Easiest Broccoli Salad Recipe| All Things Mamma (1)

Craving a fresh salad 16 Summer Salad Recipesbut want something a little bit different than the usual greens and Italian dressing? Why not try my broccoli salad! It’s made with raw, crisp broccoli that’s mixed with nutty sunflower seeds, chopped bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese for richness. Then it’s finished with a creamy, mayo-based dressing that brings it all together. This is one of my favorites!

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

As soon as the warm weather rolls around, you can bet we start planning our summer picnics and get-togethers. And at the top of our list, the menu! This broccoli salad is an easy summer salad recipe always makes the list!

Made with bacon and cheddar cheese plus other yummy goodness, this savory salad has ingredients everyone loves!Along with my Cucumber Tomato Salad and Ramen Noodle Salad, this recipe for broccoli salad is always a standard cook out or a potluck offering. It holds up well and can be made in advance, other points in its favor. Plus, it will make even a broccoli-hater interested!

It’s hard to go wrong with bacon, and broccoli plus cheese takes this salad over the top. Pair it with burgers, a classic macaroni salad, BBQ meatball sliders, and so much more.

Grab My Favorite Tools

Click on the products below to see my favorite tools for making this recipe!

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad

  • Broccoli – I use fresh broccoli for this recipe and just use the florets.
  • Red Onion – This gives a nice crunch and a bit of spice to the salad.
  • Sunflower Seeds – You can use raw or roasted sunflower seeds.
  • Bacon – For a nice salty, meaty element.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – You can shred your own cheese or buy pre-shredded cheese.
  • Vinegar– I use distilled white vinegar.
  • Sugar
  • Mayonnaise – Use your favorite brand of mayonnaise in this salad.
  • Salt and Pepper – I like to use kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper!
The Easiest Broccoli Salad Recipe| All Things Mamma (6)

How To Make Broccoli Salad

  1. Make the dressing: Whisk together vinegar, sugar, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. Combine the rest of the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, sunflower seeds, cheese, and bacon. Pour the prepared dressing over and mix well.
  3. Chill the salad: Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Quick Tip

You can make this salad the night before you plan to serve it. Store in the bowl, tightly covered in plastic wrap, or in an air-tight container in the fridge. The extra time will help the dressing sink into the broccoli, turning it ultra-flavorful.

The Easiest Broccoli Salad Recipe| All Things Mamma (7)

How to Store Broccoli Salad

Store leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Serve cold, straight from the fridge.

Quick Tip

You can prepare your broccoli salad a few days in advance of serving it, but leave off the dressing. Undressed broccoli salad can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days before serving. Add the dressing just before you plan to serve it.

Serving Suggestions

Broccoli salad is a great side for all occasions! I love it at a cookout with Grilled BBQ Chicken or Bacon BBQ Pork Sliders.If you’re just cooking for a weeknight dinner, this broccoli salad goes great with Mississippi Roast Sandwiches or Baked Lemon Chicken Thighs!

FAQs

How to cut broccoli florets for broccoli salad?

To cut bite-sized pieces of broccoli for a salad, cut off the tougher stem and reserve the florets. Then cut or separate out the florets by hand and place in a bowl.

How to make brocoli salad?

It’s so easy to make broccoli salad! Chop up your florets, mix all the ingredients together in a big bowl, and stir in a creamy dressing!

Is broccoli healthier raw or cooked?

Nutritional experts agree that the healthiest way to eat broccoli is raw or lightly steamed just for a few minutes. This will preserve most of its beneficial nutritional qualities.

More Delicious Salad Recipes

Recipes

Recipes

The Best Potato Salad

Recipes

Classic Caesar Salad Dressing

Recipes

Pea Salad

Recipes

Summer Cobb Salad Recipe

The Easiest Broccoli Salad Recipe| All Things Mamma (14)

Broccoli Salad

This Broccoli Salad recipe is an amazing addition to your summer salad menu! Raw, crunchy broccoli, lots of salty bacon and cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing will make this one a family favorite!

3.65 from 59 votes

Pin RecipeSave RecipeRate RecipePrint Recipe

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Author: Kasey Schwartz

Servings: 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • cup red onion, diced
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • ½ pound bacon, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Whisk together vinegar, sugar, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, sunflower seeds, cheese and bacon bits. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and mix together well.

  • Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

Categories: Recipes, Side Dishes, Soups and Salads

About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Read More About Me

The Easiest Broccoli Salad Recipe| All Things Mamma (2024)

FAQs

How to make brocoli salad? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar and honey. Toss salad ingredients with dressing: Combine broccoli florets, almonds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well.

What is broccoli salad made of? ›

Combine broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and onion in a large bowl. In a separate, small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined. Pour dressing over broccoli combination and toss or stir well.

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad? ›

The short cooking time brings out the natural colors in the fruit or vegetable before they can turn a displeasing color (because no one wants to eat ugly broccoli!). By stopping the cooking process, the color-changing enzymes are deactivated and the vegetable maintains its vibrant color.

How to dice broccoli for salad? ›

To chop broccoli for a salad, start by separating the florets from the stalks. Use a sharp knife to cut off the florets, leaving some stem attached. Then, chop the florets into bite-sized pieces. For the stalks, trim off the tough ends and slice them into thin rounds or julienne them, depending on your preference.

How to prepare broccoli easily? ›

Cut the broccoli into small florets, and then blanch the florets in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Drain the broccoli, and then sauté it in olive oil or butter over medium heat until it is tender, about 4-5 minutes.

Can you put raw broccoli? ›

You can easily add broccoli to a raw vegetable platter or mix it into a tossed salad or pasta dish to add texture, flavor, and nutritional value.

Can dogs eat broccoli? ›

Yes, dogs can eat broccoli. Dogs can eat the vegetable both cooked and raw, as long as there are no seasonings or oils added. However, this vegetable should always be given in very small quantities, especially because the florets contain isothiocyanates, which can cause gastric irritation in dogs.

How much is 8 cups broccoli? ›

A recipe with broccoli isn't going to fail if you're off by a bit. (If you really prefer weight, this nutrition data says a cup chopped is 91 grams, so 8 cups might be a bit over 700 grams.)

What is in green broccoli? ›

Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins C, K, and A. It also contains several important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and iron. Broccoli contains several antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, β-carotene, and various flavonoids [12,13].

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli? ›

You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn't been blanched doesn't have as good of a taste or texture in recipes. However, it's usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it's not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.

How long do I blanch broccoli for? ›

Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. Carefully lower the broccoli florets into the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. The broccoli should be bright green and just barely tender. With a slotted spoon, remove the broccoli and immediately plunge into the ice water.

How long to boil broccoli? ›

Break apart the florets. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook, uncovered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes depending on the size of the florets. Drain into a colander, transfer to a plate, sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve with lemon wedges.

Should you boil broccoli before chopping? ›

Chop your broccoli after you cook it – not before

Even better, once it's been boiled for a bit, it's so easy to remove all the florets with just a single slice of a knife. To try this tip yourself, place the whole broccoli head, floret side down, in a large pan of boiling water, and cook for 10 minutes.

Do you have to boil vegetables for salad? ›

A vegetable salad can be made in many different ways – with raw vegetables, with boiled or steamed vegetable and also with grilled veggies. Whatever way you make it, a vegetable salad is absolutely great for your body as it increases the intake of your veggies.

How to prepare broccoli for health? ›

Boiling will remove up to 90% of broccoli's nutrients, so prepare it a similar way, such as blanching. First, get a bowl of ice water ready next to the stove. Boil water in a pot, add salt, and cook broccoli florets for 1-1½ minutes until they're just tender. Quickly cool them in the ice water.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5660

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.