This broccoli salad recipe is like a twist on the classic Midwest broccoli salad, but lighter! Instead of cheese or bacon, it’s got a creamy, tangy dressing coating crunchy broccoli, chewy dried cranberries, zesty red onion, and smoky roasted nuts. Even people who don’t usually like salad will enjoy this.
Making this salad is easy-peasy, and the best part is, you can make it ahead of time. Letting it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight lets the broccoli soak up all the tasty flavors from the dressing. You can take it along to a potluck, barbecue, or just pack it up for lunch during the week. Everyone’s gonna love it!
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 4 cups Broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup Sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup of Shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices of Cooked bacon crumbled
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Sugar
Instructions
- Wash the broccoli florets and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli florets, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon.
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Avoid freezing as it can change the texture too much.I
- If you want to serve it closer to room temperature, take it out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before serving.
- You can make this salad ahead of time. Although it keeps for up to 5 days, it’s best not to make it more than 2 days ahead for the tastiest results.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 292 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 23g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 337mg |
| Calcium | 88mg |
| Iron | 1.8mg |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Vitamin C | 136.3mg |
Is it Okay to Warm Up Broccoli Salad?
You don’t need to heat up Broccoli Salad because it’s usually served cold or at room temperature. If you warm it up, the broccoli might get too soft and the other stuff might not feel right. If you want it a bit warmer, you can just leave it out for a while before eating. But really, it tastes the best when it’s fresh or cold from the fridge!
How Long Can Broccoli Salad Sit Out Without being in the Fridge?
You can leave this side dish out at room temperature for around 2 hours without any worries. But after that, it’s better to put it in the fridge to keep the mayo and cheese fresh. Especially if you’re serving it outside in the summer, it might spoil faster. If you’re unsure, just bring it out when it’s time to eat!
Do You Have to Cook the Broccoli for Broccoli Salad?
Nope, using raw broccoli is pretty common in broccoli salads. In this salad, the dressing helps soften the broccoli a bit, so it doesn’t taste super raw. Just chop the broccoli into small pieces, and you’ll have a really fresh salad.
But if you really don’t like raw broccoli, you can blanch it. Just put the broccoli in boiling water for about a minute, then move it to a bowl of ice water to stop it from cooking more. After that, make sure to drain it well before adding it to your salad.