A simple, classic Broccoli salad recipe that serves as a great fast side dish for any party or potluck. Made with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, cheddar cheese and a homemade dressing, this is one of my favorite side dishes and it can be prepped in under fifteen minutes!
The Perfect Side for Your Next Cookout
Please do not be alarmed by the amount of green in today’s post! I know broccoli salad is a little different from what you’re used to seeing here, where sugar and chocolate and chocolate chip cookies and definitely not broccoli are the norm, but bear with me.
Broccoli salad is one of my favorite side dishes (right up there with deviled eggs and macaroni salad). It’s perfect for serving alongside Easter dinner (or any holiday dinner) and is a simple and refreshing side dish for summer parties and pot lucks. It can be thrown together in under fifteen minutes and I guarantee you that at least one person is going to ask for the recipe, wherever you bring it.
In contrast to the broccoli, onion, and savory bacon and cheddar, this recipe has a surprising bit of sweetness thanks to a pinch of sugar and dried cranberries. The contrasting flavors blend perfectly together, and a splash of vinegar gives the dressing a subtle bite. This really is the perfect summer salad, and the best broccoli salad I think you’ll ever try.
Tips for Making the Best Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad is easy to make, but there are a few tips I want to share to make everything come together perfectly for you.
Notes on Cheese
When buying cheese for your broccoli salad, the thicker the shred the better. Buy sharp or extra sharp cheddar and stay away from the finely shredded variety. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can just buy a block and shred it yourself. Another option is to cut the cheese into small cubes instead.
Broccoli: To Blanch or not to Blanch?
I never blanch my broccoli when making broccoli salad, and I’ve never received any complaints (in fact, I always get requests for this recipe!). If you prefer to do so, you can. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and then blanch your broccoli for no longer than 60 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse in cold water to stop the broccoli from over-cooking. Dry your broccoli thoroughly before proceeding.
A Note on Buying the Right Amount of Broccoli:
You can buy pre-cut florets, but for me it was cheaper and not much more difficult to just buy a few heads of broccoli and cut it myself. This recipe required about 2.5 heads of broccoli for me to make it, but your mileage may vary depending on the size of your grocery store’s broccoli! I recommend discarding the stems and only using the florets (with a bit of the stem attached, but discard the thicker, woodier part).
For Best Taste, Let it Sit!
While this easy broccoli salad can be served right away, I prefer to let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to let all of the flavors really meld together. Like any good coleslaw recipe, it benefits from at least a brief resting period. Not only does the flavor develop and deepen, but the broccoli (and the other ingredients) will also begin to absorb the dressing, which improves the flavor and softens the broccoli. Broccoli salad can be prepared up to 3 days in advance of serving.
How to Lighten Up Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad certainly isn’t health food and is usually served alongside other not-so-light main dishes (think hot dogs and my smash burger recipe). However, there are a few modifications you can make to make it a bit less fattening. I’ve found that when people see broccoli salad they think they’re getting something healthy, so if that’s what you’re looking for, there are a few modifications you can try.
- Lighten up the mayo. Instead of using regular mayo, use one made with olive oil. I’m very picky about the type of mayo that I use and can’t stand the taste of reduced fat (and don’t get me started on Miracle Whip). I’ve found that using olive oil mayo in my broccoli salad recipe gives you all of the same creaminess and flavor while being a better alternative.
- You can replace some or all of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- Using pre-cooked bacon will save time and fat and calories. Make sure you’re using real bacon pieces and not imitation flavored “bits”. These are usually found in the salad dressing aisle and should say that they’re “real” bacon on the packaging. I’ve also found that this bacon holds up best to the moisture from the broccoli salad.
Keep in mind that ultimately broccoli salad (especially this broccoli salad with bacon and cheese!) is meant to be an indulgent side dish, and not health food!
This recipe has been one of my most popular on the blog for over 7 years and has received hundreds of 5-star reviews. If you try it, I’d truly love to know how much you love it, too!
Enjoy!
Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups broccoli florets¹ 1 lb, this was about 2 ½ heads of broccoli for me (450g)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese thicker, not finely shredded (115g)
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries (85g)
- ½ cup crumbled bacon² (60g)
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds (60g)
- ⅓ cup red onion diced into small pieces (50g)
Dressing
- ¾ cup mayo I use olive oil mayo (175g)
- ¼ cup sour cream³ (70g)
- 1 ½ Tablespoon white wine vinegar⁴
- 3 Tablespoons sugar (40g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and onion in a large bowl.
- In a separate, small bowl, whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
- Pour dressing over broccoli combination and toss or stir well.
- Broccoli salad may be served immediately, but for best flavor refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Make sure to toss broccoli salad thoroughly again before serving.Keep refrigerated if not consuming right away.
Notes
How to Store Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad may be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If you are making several days in advance, I recommend storing the salad and the dressing separately, then tossing everything together at least an hour before serving.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This Broccoli Salad Recipe was originally published 07/06/2017, re-published 04/15/2019 and updated 05/12/2025.
Jessica
This recipe is wonderful. I made it once and now my family keeps requesting it over and over again! We used toasted pine nuts instead of sunflower seeds the second time we made it because I accidentally put the wrong thing on the list. It turned out just as good!
Sam
Yum! Love the pine nut substitution, I’m going to have to try that sometime. Thank you for commenting and letting me know how it turned out for you, Jessica, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Laurie Morehouse
Very easy to prepare and a real runaway hit!!!! I made this as a special request from my daughter-in-law for her birthday and she LOVED it! Thank you for an awesome recipe.
Sam
You’re so welcome, Laurie! Thank you for commenting and letting me know how it turned out for you, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Trish
I made this exactly by recipe and it turned out beautifully. I was as proud as a peacock when I sat this down in front of my family and they ate it All up.
Sam
That is awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you, Trish, I really appreciate it! 🙂 <3
Linda
Can I omit the onions?
Sam
Sure! Enjoy 🙂
Ciersyn
I LOVE broccoli salad and make it quite a bit in the summertime. This is by far the best one!! I ran out of mayo so I just used some extra sour cream. It came out sooo yummy. This will be the only broccoli salad I make😊
Sam
I am so happy to hear this, Ciersyn! Thank yo u so much for commenting, I really appreciate it! 🙂
Angela
You ought to change the name of the Recipie to “Taste Bud Exploding Brocoli Salad”! This is the most flavorful dish I’ve ever made! I switched out the Sugar for Splenda, since I’m a Diabetic. I’m glad my Husband doesn’t like Broccoli, that meant I got to enjoy it all to myself! :^ )
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you LOVED it, Angela. Best part…you didn’t have to share. lol. Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Karen
I discovered this great site yesterday – It’s amazing!!
I made the salad and I wouldn’t change a thing – Delicious! I did not blanch the broccoli – it doesn’t need it either.
Also – I’m curious about your view on Miracle Whip – it sounds like you don’t like it – Why is that and what is the best replacement?
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that you discovered my site, Karen! Thank you for trying my recipe. I am happy to hear how much you enjoyed it. I don’t mind Miracle Whip, it is good in some things but prefer mayo in most cases. 😉
Elisa
My fiancée love this salad so much and so did I!He said this is the best salad he has ever had!
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful, Elisa! I am so glad that you both loved it! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Kim
Wow, I made this salad a couple weeks ago (only change was currants instead of cranberries) and my husband loved it. He’s not a salad guy and shocked me by raving about it. He’s not a leftovers guy but ate it the next day. He bought broccoli last week and asked me how hard it would be to make it again!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you both loved it, Kim! Thank you so much for commenting. I am happy that you will be making it. 🙂
Kurt
Excellent Broccoli Salad!!! It was easy to prepare and delicious. I’ll definitely be preparing this Broccoli Salad again and soon.
Sam
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed, Kurt! Thank you for commenting! 🙂
Kurt
Easy recipe to prepare and delicious. I’ll definitely be preparing this Broccoli Salad again and soon.
Sam
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Kurt! Thank you for commenting!
Barb
Been doing a lot of cooking since we’ve been on lock down. I tried another online recipe for broccoli salad, but your dressing is far superior. Loved it! The only substitution I made was chick peas in lieu of the bacon. Stay safe and happy!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Barb! I am glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Wendy
Oh yikes!! As I get to the dressing, I have no ACV, only white or Rice Vinegar… Rice vinegar gave it an amazing extra flavor!
I love this recipe, I can’t really say it’s reduced calorie because I always eat more than my share 🙁
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Wendy! I have a hard time sharing this dish myself. 😉 Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Rose Weisel
Delicious
Kayla
Can I just say YUM! Followed the recipe for the most part, except I used walnuts instead of sunflower seeds and yellow raisins instead of cranberries because those were two ingredients I did not have on hand! I also used Oscar Meyer turkey bacon. Therefore I would say this recipie is very versatile, not to mention delicious! Will definitely make again!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the salad, Kayla. Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Sara
Fantastic! Followed mostly as written, but I had less broccoli on hand. I blanched flowerettes and ran stalks through cuisinart shredder and got a good cup or more of slaw which I added raw. Used 1 T of Demerara sugar. Will make again!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Sara! 🙂
Carole Travers
Tried this salad for the first time and what a big hit it was!!! Followed your recipe exactly and it was so delicious. Thank you!!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the broccoli salad so much, Carole! 🙂