Broccoli salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes! Right up there with coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni salad, it packs tons of flavor and texture into one easy recipe! Studded with bacon, onion and sunflower seeds, this salad is such a banger for summer parties, and it’s a favorite holiday side, too.
I love broccoli salad because it is crunchy, sweet, creamy and savory, all at the same time! It’s great for crowds, because it’s naturally gluten free and dairy free, and it tastes just as good the next day. Serve it with classic summer food like burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, or fried chicken. For a lighter side, try this fresh and herby Avocado Salad.
Broccoli Salad Ingredients
- Raw broccoli florets. You don’t need to cook broccoli for this salad. No-cook summer salads FTW!
- Bacon. Cooked until crispy, then minced.
- Raw red onion. The sharp onion flavor is so good with the creamy dressing.
- Sunflower seeds, for crunch. Look for the unsalted kind.
- Raisins. The hint of sweetness and toothsome chewiness is a great foil for the super-crunch of the raw broccoli.
Variations + Tips
- Try golden raisins, dried cranberries or dried cherries in place of the raisins.
- Add cheese: Some broccoli salad recipes include shredded cheese, and if you want to add cheese, go for it! Shredded white cheddar is especially good.
- For even more crunch, add diced apples.
- For the dressing, you could swap in a different vinegar if you prefer. White wine vinegar, rice vinegar or sherry vinegar all work well in this recipe.
More Classic Side Dish Salads
The Best Broccoli Salad Ever?
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