Easy Broccoli Salad

If you’re looking for a flavorful, mouth-watering side dish to bring to your next cookout, you’ve come to the right place. This super easy Broccoli Salad is refreshing and bursting with flavor.

I know what you’re thinking… broccoli for a delicious side dish? No thanks! Pass me the potato salad and baked beans! And a few years ago, I probably would’ve agreed with you. This broccoli salad has won over my heart, and I make it for just about every potluck and cookout I attend (and get asked for the recipe all the time). The first time I tried this amazing side dish recipe was when my mom brought it to a party back in 2018. I hadn’t heard of it before and specifically remember making fun of her for bringing broccoli to a cookout! Fast forward to now and I even make it sometimes for meal prep and eat it for lunch all week (yes, it’s that good).

Easy Broccoli Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli florets
• Shredded sharp cheddar
• Dried cranberries
• Bacon crumbles
• Sunflower seeds
• Red onion
• Mayonnaise
• Sugar
• Apple cider vinegar

How to Make

1. In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, red onion, bacon, and sunflower seeds.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar.
3. Pour the mayonnaise dressing mixture over the broccoli and mix well until the broccoli mix is fully coated.
4. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving for best flavor.

This broccoli salad recipe can be thrown together in less than 10 minutes, but is best enjoyed after sitting in the fridge for a couple hours. This gives the flavors a chance to marinate as well as allowing the broccoli to soften up a bit. I personally prefer the broccoli a bit crisp, but you can blanch the broccoli if you prefer it slightly softer.

How to Blanch Broccoli

1. Cut your broccoli so the pieces are all about the same size
2. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil and add a tbsp of salt.
3. Drop in the broccoli pieces and boil for 2-3 minutes
4. Immediately remove broccoli from boiling water and add to a large bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process
5. Once cooled, drain very well

Easy Broccoli Salad

In this flavorful recipe, broccoli meets the delicious taste of bacon, onion, and a sweet slaw dressing.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups broccoli florets chopped
• ⅓ red onion diced
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup bacon bits
• ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp white sugar

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, red onion, bacon, and sunflower seeds.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar.
• Pour the mayonnaise dressing mixture over the broccoli and mix well until the broccoli is fully coated.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving for best flavor.

Keyword broccoli salad, cookout sides, easy salad recipe, easy side dish, side dish