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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.

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: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, and fresh ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
  2. 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.
  3. Toss salad with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss everything together gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
  4. 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.
  5. 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