Side Dishes

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

ByRico Loranz March 1, 2026March 1, 2026

Introduction

This Best Broccoli Salad is a delicious combination of crisp broccoli, savory bacon, and sweet cranberries, all tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing. It’s an easy and refreshing side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a simple family meal.

A white bowl filled with a fresh broccoli salad, showing roughly four layers of ingredients. The base layer consists of dark green broccoli florets with bumpy texture. Mixed evenly are thin light brown almond slices and small pieces of cooked bacon with a crispy, reddish look. Interspersed are small chunks of white onion, adding a crisp texture, and dark red dried cranberries for a chewy element. The salad is coated lightly with creamy, pale yellow dressing, giving it a shiny texture. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Step 1: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped broccoli florets, chopped bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds. Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Step 3: Cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Toss the salad again just before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, toast the almonds lightly before adding them to the salad.
Substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise to lighten the dressing without sacrificing creaminess.
Add shredded cheddar cheese for a richer flavor if desired.
Use dried cherries or raisins if you don’t have dried cranberries on hand.

Storage

Store the broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It is best enjoyed fresh, so toss gently before serving. Avoid storing for longer as the broccoli may become soggy and the dressing can separate.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a mixed salad showing many green broccoli florets as the main layer. Scattered throughout are small pieces of red onion, thinly sliced pale green celery, and bits of crispy-looking bacon. Bright red dried cranberries are mixed in, adding color contrast against the green and white salad base. The salad is coated lightly with a creamy, off-white dressing that gives a smooth texture over the chunky, fresh ingredients. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and the background is softly blurred with dark green tones. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this broccoli salad in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours or the day before serving. Just keep it covered and chilled in the refrigerator. Toss it again before serving for the best texture.

Is it necessary to cook the bacon before adding it?

Yes, cooking the bacon until crispy will add a wonderful smoky crunch to the salad. Make sure to drain any excess grease before chopping and mixing it in.

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 478 reviews

This Best Broccoli Salad Recipe combines fresh crunchy broccoli florets with a sweet and tangy dressing, crispy bacon, red onion, dried cranberries, and almonds. It’s a refreshing and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners.

Author: Rico
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

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

Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, and fresh ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the finely chopped broccoli florets, chopped crispy bacon, chopped red onion, sweetened dried cranberries, and sliced almonds.
Toss salad with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss everything together gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
Serve: Before serving, toss the salad again to redistribute the dressing and enjoy a crisp, flavorful broccoli salad.

Notes

For extra crunch, toast the almonds lightly before adding to the salad.
You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried cherries if preferred.
For a lighter option, use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise.
Salad can be made a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge for convenience.
Adjust sugar amount in the dressing to suit your preferred sweetness level.

Keywords: broccoli salad, easy broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, cranberry almond salad, no-cook salad

Rico Loranz

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