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Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

5 from 117 reviews

This Best Broccoli Salad Recipe is a quick and delicious side dish featuring fresh broccoli florets tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Crunchy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, sharp red onions, and toasted almonds add layers of flavor and texture that make this salad a standout at picnics, potlucks, or casual dinners. Ready in just 15 minutes and best served chilled for a refreshing bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Salad

  • 1⅓ lbs broccoli florets, finely chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 8 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
  • ⅓ cup chopped red onion
  • ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, and fresh ground black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
  2. Prepare the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli florets, chopped crispy bacon, chopped red onion, sweetened dried cranberries, and sliced almonds.
  3. Toss with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
  4. Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  5. Final toss and serve: Just before serving, give the salad one last gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • This salad can be made a day in advance to enhance the flavors.
  • For a lighter version, substitute some or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
  • To make it nut-free, omit the sliced almonds or replace with sunflower seeds.
  • Ensure the broccoli is chopped finely for better coating and easier eating.
  • Adding a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice can brighten the flavor.

Keywords: broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, broccoli salad with cranberries, easy broccoli salad, no cook broccoli salad