Broccoli Salad
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Get ready to fall in love with broccoli salad—yes, the veggie that often gets a bad rap. This vibrant, crunchy, and downright delicious salad is a game-changer, packed with fresh broccoli, crisp bacon, and a tangy-sweet dressing that’ll make even the biggest veggie skeptics ask for seconds. Whether you’re prepping for a picnic, potluck, or just a regular Tuesday, this broccoli salad is about to become your new go-to side dish.
This easy side dish recipe pairs so well with almost anything! Make it a meal and serve with Grilled Chicken, Ribs, Steak or Burgers!
Why You’ll Love This Broccoli Salad With Bacon
- Quick and Easy: This salad is simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Broccoli salad can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together and making it convenient for meal prep or entertaining.
- Great for Potlucks and Picnics: It’s a sturdy salad that holds up well, making it an ideal dish to bring to gatherings.
You’ve got to try making this broccoli salad—it’s a game changer! Imagine crisp broccoli florets mingling with savory bacon, sweet cranberries, and a tangy, creamy dressing that ties it all together. It’s not only packed with nutrients, but also super quick and easy to throw together.
Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or just a tasty side for dinner, this salad will have everyone coming back for seconds. Give it a go, and I promise it’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor to broccoli salad, coating the ingredients evenly. It also acts as a binding agent, holding the salad together and adding moisture for a more enjoyable dish.
- Sugar: Sugar in the dressing adds a touch of sweetness that balances the tangy and savory flavors of the other ingredients.
- Vinegar: The best vinegar to use in a broccoli salad dressing is white wine vinegar. It provides a balanced tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the sugar and the creaminess of the mayonnaise, enhancing the overall taste of the salad without overpowering it.
- Broccoli: For a broccoli salad, it’s best to use fresh broccoli. Fresh broccoli provides a crisp texture and vibrant color, which are key elements in a good broccoli salad. Frozen broccoli tends to be softer and may become mushy when thawed, which can negatively impact the overall texture and appeal of the salad.
- Red Onion: Red onions provide a mild, slightly sweet flavor and add a nice crunch without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Bacon: Make sure to cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy, then crumble it into small pieces before adding it to the salad. This ensures that each bite has a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
- Dried Cranberries: While some people like raisins, I find dried cranberries to be the best addition. They add a pop of sweetness and a chewy texture.
- Almonds, optional: If you want a little crunch you can add almond slices!
Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Make the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and white wine vinegar. Use a whisk or a spoon to mix everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the Salad: Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. Add to the bowl with the dressing along with the bacon, red onion, cranberries, and almonds (if using).
- Combine Everything: Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together until the broccoli, bacon, red onion, cranberries, and almonds are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator. Let the salad chill for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become more flavorful.
Helpful Tools
- Cutting Board: (affiliate) A sturdy surface for chopping the broccoli, onions, and other ingredients.
- Chef’s Knife: (affiliate) Essential for cutting the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and slicing the red onion.
- Mixing Bowls: (affiliate) Various sizes for mixing the dressing, salad, and other components.
- Salad Spinner: (affiliate) Useful for thoroughly drying the washed broccoli to ensure the dressing adheres well.
Expert Recipe Tips:
- Dry the Broccoli Thoroughly: Use a salad spinner or pat the broccoli dry with paper towels to ensure the dressing adheres well. Excess moisture can dilute the dressing and make the salad watery.
- Soak Red Onions: If red onions are too pungent for your taste, soak the slices in cold water for 10-15 minutes to mellow their flavor. Drain and pat dry before adding to the salad.
- Crisp the Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s extra crispy, then crumble it into small pieces. This ensures a satisfying crunch and prevents the bacon from becoming soggy in the salad.
- Toss the Dressing Separately: Mix the dressing ingredients separately until smooth and well combined before tossing with the salad. This ensures even distribution of flavors.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste.
Recipe FAQs
Broccoli salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, for the best texture and flavor, it’s best enjoyed within 1-2 days.
You can substitute Greek yogurt or a mixture of Greek yogurt and a little olive oil for mayonnaise to make a lighter, tangier dressing.
Yes, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute for white wine vinegar. It will add a slightly different but still delicious tangy flavor to the dressing.
You can substitute raisins, chopped dried apricots, or dried cherries for dried cranberries if you prefer.
For an extra crisp-tender texture, blanch the broccoli briefly in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking. This enhances the color and makes it slightly more tender while maintaining crunch.
More Summer Sides to Try
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Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 6 cups broccoli (washed)
- 1½ cups bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 1/2 cup red onion (diced)
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sugar, and white wine vinegar. Use a whisk or a spoon to mix everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
- Cut the broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. Add to the bowl with the dressing along with the bacon, red onion, cranberries, and almonds (if using).
- Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together until the broccoli, bacon, red onion, cranberries, and almonds are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator. Let the salad chill for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become more flavorful.
- After chilling, give the salad a quick toss to make sure everything is well mixed.
- Serve the broccoli salad cold and enjoy!
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Super simple summer side. We like it without the almonds