This Broccoli Salad Recipe is a simple side with crisp broccoli, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing.
author’s note
Sweet, Tangy, Crunchy Broccoli Salad You’ll Crave All Year!
I’ve always been a sucker for potluck salads, especially the broccoli and macaroni salads that show up at every summer cookout. If either one is on the table, I will find space on my plate. After years of bringing different versions of broccoli salad to gatherings, I finally landed on this one, and I haven’t looked back.
The dressing is the secret here. A lot of classic recipes use mayo and sugar, but I wanted something lighter, tangier, and more interesting. So I swapped the sugar for honey and added red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sour cream, and a touch of mustard. The result is a balanced, creamy dressing that makes you crave broccoli salad all year long.
The first time I served this at a neighborhood barbecue, the bowl was scraped clean in minutes and everyone asked for the recipe. That’s always how I know I’ve got a keeper.
Ingredients In This Broccoli Salad Recipe
| Ingredient | Helpful Notes or Swaps |
|---|---|
| Broccoli | Use fresh florets only. No need to cook them. If raw broccoli feels too firm, try a quick blanch then dry well. |
| Sharp Cheddar cheese | Mild cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or feta also work. |
| Dried cranberries | Raisins work great. |
| Bacon | Bake a big batch for easy prep or use real bacon crumbles. For vegetarian, leave it out. |
| Sunflower seeds | Use dry roasted, salted seeds. Pepitas also work. |
| Red onion | Soak in salted ice water for 10 mins if you want a milder flavor. |
| Dressing | Adjust honey or vinegar to taste. Add extra lemon for more brightness. |
How To Make This Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Broccoli: Cut fresh broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Bacon: Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble or chop.
- Salad: Combine broccoli, cheese, cranberries, onion, bacon, and seeds in a bowl.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Dress Salad: Toss the dressing with the salad ingredients. Cover and chill.
Tips For Success
- Choose Fresh Broccoli: Look for green, firm stalks with tight florets and a fresh smell. Avoid yellow, loose, or slimy pieces.
- Evenly Sized Pieces: Cut broccoli into similar, bite-sized pieces for better texture.
- Balance Flavors: Taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or seasoning—add honey if too tangy or vinegar if it needs more bite.
- Serve Chilled: Chill for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.
Storage
Prep the salad components and dressing up to a day in advance. Store everything separately then combine the day of.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Once dressed, the salad will stay fresh for up to 2 days, but it’s best eaten the same day.
More Delicious Potluck Salads
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli florets coarsely chopped
- 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 8 to 10 slices center-cut bacon cooked and crumbled/diced
- 1/2 cup shelled salted sunflower seeds
- 1/3 cup diced red onion see note 1
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1-1/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice optional
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Remove stems from broccoli and chop into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine chopped broccoli, Cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, and diced red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I add 1/2 teaspoon each).
- Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss to combine. Cover and chill for 30 minutes to 1 hour. After chilling, toss again and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Just before serving, add cooked and crumbled bacon and sunflower seeds. Toss and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Storage
- Vegetarian Broccoli Salad Recipe: Skip the bacon.
- Fruit and Nuts: Add apples, grapes, or pears with walnuts or pecans.
- Add Protein: Mix in grilled chicken, steak, or chickpeas.
- Blanch Broccoli: Lightly boil if you prefer softer broccoli, then dry well.
The onion in water trick was amazing. None the family likes onions but this one is a Keeper.
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks so much! 🙂
It was a very simple recipes to make. It didn’t take long to do and everyone loved it. Thank you
Glad to hear it! 🙂
This looks like a delicious recipe! I am going to take it a family picnic. I just have a couple of questions. Will the avocado turn brown if this sits in a cooler for a few hours? Also, can I mix/whisk the dressings together at home and pour it on before we eat?
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Maddi! The avocado will turn brown so I would try and add that just before enjoying the salad if possible. The dressings can be added together in advance and then added right before enjoying. I hope you love this salad! 🙂
Hi Chelsea, this recipe sounds so yummy! I am going to make it this weekend for a family bbq. Being from Canada I will have to use different brands of dressing, hoping it tastes as good as yours looks!
Question: Do you blanch the broccoli first or just put it in raw? Would you allow the dressing to “sit” on the salad for a bit to soften the broccoli first or just serve immediately?
Thank you,
Tami
Hi Chelsea! It’s been awhile that I’m following you. I love your recipes and I’ve made several of theme, but sometimes I had to improvise because here in Italy, happens that e don’t have all the ingredients that you have. Anyways, It has always been a success. You’re great!
I have a question, tha It might sound weird to you: Are the broccoli raw? I mean, you didn’t cook them first? I’ve never eat raw broccoli, we usually cook them in a way or anothe… I’ll give them a try, but what do you think if I steam them and then put them in the salad?
Thank you for sharing all these awesome recipes!
Hey Cat – you are so sweet! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂 I’m glad you’ve enjoyed recipes and been able to substitute things and still have them work out – you are awesome! The broccoli in this salad is raw (not cooked first) and it gives it a great crunch – it makes for a different kind of salad! 🙂 If you did steam them, I would recommend letting them cool all the way before adding the other ingredients so it’s still a cold salad. Hope that helps! Thanks again 🙂
Yum! I’m usually not as excited about salads as I am about this one! Looks delicious!
Love the salad, and all the bright colors, the dressing its the winner for me, so easy, creamy and delicious!
I’ve never had broccoli salad, but with these awesome ingredients I’m sure I’ll be trying this version soon!
This salad looks SO YUMMY!! I love that the dressing is so easy to make…it looks delish! 🙂
That dressing….I’d eat it with a spoon! Looks so good, Chelsea!