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Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

4.8 from 150 reviews

A crisp and flavorful broccoli salad featuring a tangy mayonnaise dressing, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy almonds, and savory bacon, perfect as a refreshing side dish or potluck favorite.

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 freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well combined, creating a creamy, tangy dressing.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the finely chopped broccoli florets, chopped crispy bacon, chopped red onion, sweetened dried cranberries, and sliced almonds. Gently toss to mix the ingredients evenly.
  3. Add Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture, then toss thoroughly to coat all the salad components with the dressing evenly.
  4. Chill: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
  5. Serve: Give the salad one final toss before serving chilled, ensuring an even distribution of dressing and toppings for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • For best flavor, let the salad chill at least 1 hour before serving to allow the dressing to soak into the broccoli and other ingredients.
  • You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries if preferred.
  • To make this salad gluten-free, ensure the bacon and other packaged ingredients are labeled gluten-free.
  • For a lighter version, use a low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt in place of regular mayonnaise.
  • Toast the sliced almonds lightly before adding for enhanced nutty flavor.

Keywords: broccoli salad, broccoli salad recipe, summer salad, bacon broccoli salad, easy broccoli salad, side dish, potluck salad