Crisp broccoli florets with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and savory bacon bits create a delightful medley with each bite. Tossed in a velvety dressing of mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar, this salad offers balanced flavors and vibrant textures. Chilled for a refreshing summer side dish, simply satisfying.

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I love sharing recipes that are not only easy but packs a nutritional punch too. When I whip up my Broccoli Salad recipe, I always start with 4 cups fresh broccoli florets which offers a good source of vitamin C and fiber.

I toss in ½ cup dried cranberries for a pop of natural sweetness and ⅓ cup sunflower seeds that bring a great crunch as well as healthy fats. Adding 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, gives a savory contrast to the dish making it stand out as one of my best salad recipes.

In a bowl, I mix ½ cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar along with some salt and pepper to create the creamy dressing. This easy broccoli salad offers a balanced combination of textures and flavors and is the ideal salad side dish for summer lunches and dinners.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it has a really fun mix of textures. The broccoli is crunchy and when it’s tossed with sunflower seeds and cranberries, it makes every bite interesting. I also love the bacon bits – they add a salty twist that totally balances the sweet cranberries and the tangy dressing. Speaking of the dressing, its creamy feel with a splash of apple cider vinegar gives the dish a unique punch that keeps me coming back for more. Lastly, it’s super easy to make and the flavors kinda meld together perfectly after a little chill in the fridge, which makes the whole salad feel extra tasty.

Ingredients

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Ingredient Quantities

4 cups fresh broccoli florets

½ cup dried cranberries

⅓ cup sunflower seeds

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

½ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

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1. Wash the broccoli and cut it into bite size florets if needed then add them into a large mixing bowl.

2. Toss in the dried cranberries and sunflower seeds along with the broccoli.

3. If your bacon isn’t already cooked, fry the slices until they’re crispy then crumble and add them to the bowl.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar until the dressing is fairly smooth.

5. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste then stir it a bit more to combine.

6. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture making sure to coat all the ingredients evenly.

7. Give everything a good toss so that no piece is left without a bit of dressing.

8. Let the salad chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the flavors can mix together nicely.

9. Stir the salad once more before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

10. Serve chilled and enjoy your easy summer broccoli salad that everyone will love!

Equipment Needed

1. A cutting board to chop the broccoli into bite size florets
2. A sharp knife for cutting the broccoli
3. A large mixing bowl to toss the broccoli with cranberries and seeds
4. A small bowl to mix the dressing ingredients
5. A frying pan for cooking the bacon until its crispy
6. Measuring cups and spoons to get the right amounts of cranberry, seeds, mayo, vinegar and sugar
7. A spoon or whisk to stir the dressing until smooth
8. A refrigerator to chill the salad for about 30 minutes

FAQ

Question: Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Answer: Yeah, you can but it might make your salad a bit watery if you dont let it thaw and drain good.

Question: How long can I store this salad in the fridge?

Answer: It should be good for about 3 days in an airtight container but the bacon might get soggy if left in the salad.

Question: Do I need to mix the dressing in right away?

Answer: Not really, you can keep the bacon and dressing separate until you serve it so everything stays crispy.

Question: Can i add other ingredients to spice it up?

Answer: Sure, try adding chopped apples or red onion if you feel like switching things up a bit.

Question: Is it possible to make this a vegetarian salad?

Answer: Absolutely, just leave out the bacon and add some roasted nuts or seeds instead for a nice crunch.

Broccoli Salad Is Probably One Of The Easiest Summer Salads You Will Throw Together! Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of bacon, try turkey bacon or even smoked tofu to keep it veggie-friendly
If you don’t like the heaviness of mayo, you can swap it for Greek yogurt for a lighter twist
Not a fan of dried cranberries? Raisins or dried cherries work pretty well and add a little different flavor
If sunflower seeds ain’t your thing, chopped almonds or walnuts add a nice crunch to the salad

Pro Tips

1. One pro tip is to be sure you cook the bacon until its real crispy and then let it rest on paper towels, so that when you mix it in, it doesn’t make the whole salad soggy.
2. Another trick is to dress the salad gradually. Pour a little at a time and toss well to avoid overcoating the broccoli and other ingredients, it helps to keep the crunch.
3. I found that letting the salad chill well in the fridge gives way better flavor; try to let it sit a bit longer than 30 minutes if you can, cause the flavors really have time to blend.
4. Lastly, you can always experiment by mixing a bit of Greek yogurt with the mayo in the dressing for a tangier twist, which might feel a little lighter on the palate.