The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

Published: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Broccoli Salad is packed with crunchy, delicious ingredients and is not loaded heavily with mayo. It is the perfect dish to bring to your next potluck or gathering!

The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (1)

Original post: May 2016 | Updated: May 2020

Finding that perfect potluck recipe can be so stressful, am I right? You want to find something simple yet delicious and that will get devoured by the masses. This broccoli salad is the perfect potluck food because it requires almost no time to throw together, it is crunchy and tasty and my favorite part? It’s not over-loaded with mayo.

Whether you are the host or the guest, this salad will get rave reviews and there won’t be a single morsel left in the bowl. Make this for your next gathering! It’s that good. I absolutely love this salad.

HOW TO MAKE BROCCOLI SALAD

STEP 1

In a large bowl, combine fresh broccoli florets, bacon, grapes, green onions, celery and cheese.

The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (2)

Mix well.

STEP 2

In a small bowl, make the creamy dressing. Combine mayo, sugar and vinegar. Whisk until creamy. Add to broccoli bowl and stir until combined.

The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (3)

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

RECIPE NOTES

  • To slim down the recipe, replace half or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt. You can also cut the amount of sugar used in the recipe in half.
  • Easily replace apple cider vinegar or white or red wine vinegar.
  • Party food, yes, but this also makes a delicious side dish for any meal!
  • Swap out grapes for a dried fruit such as raisins or dried cranberries.
  • Replace the green onions with finely chopped yellow or red onions, if desired (no more than 1/2 cup).
The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (4)

HOW TO SELECT PERFECT HEADS OF BROCCOLI

When shopping for broccoli, choose firm stalks, with tight florets, and crisp green leaves. Avoid yellowed or flowering florets. The cut ends of the stalks should be fresh and moist looking.

The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (5)

OTHER GREAT POTLUCK FOOD

  • Easy Coleslaw – Throwing together a delicious coleslaw recipe should be easy and simple. This classic coleslaw contains shredded cabbage, creamy vinaigrette dressing and it’s not loaded down with mayo! This will be your go-to slaw for a dinner side, picnic fare and fish tacos!
  • Edamame Tomato Corn Salad is my favorite summer salad recipe of ALL TIME. This delicious salad is a crowd-pleaser, enjoyed any time of the year.
  • Potato Salad – Cook the potatoes and eggs together in a single pot! Making potato salad in your pressure cooker takes less than 30 minutes and requires minimal clean-up. This is the perfect party food or summer side dish!
  • Baked Beans – This is the BEST baked beans recipe, made from scratch using dry beans but with NO SOAKING required! The Instant Pot transforms this into a flavorful side dish, made even more delicious with bacon. The beans cook perfectly every time. Perfect party food or side for any meal or gathering!
  • Deviled Eggs – Deviled Eggs are an American classic! Known best for their appearances at summer potlucks and Easter dinner, they are a delicious addition to any gathering.
  • Chopped Salad – This is the best chopped salad you will ever eat! Make a batch to enjoy for lunch throughout the week or serve at your next gathering. Every time I serve this salad I get rave reviews!
  • Corn on the Cob – Make a favorite summer finger food in your Instant Pot: Perfectly cooked corn on the cob EVERY SINGLE TIME. Let your pressure cooker simplify meal-time so you can enjoy every morsel of summer. Great for dinner any night of the week and potlucks, too!

The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (6)

Broccoli Salad

This Broccoli Salad is packed with crunchy, delicious ingredients and is not loaded heavily with mayo. It is the perfect dish to bring to your next potluck or gathering!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

Calories: 483kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 lb bacon cooked and chopped
  • 2 cups red grapes halved
  • 1 bunch green onions sliced
  • 5 stalks celery sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/8 cup white vinegar

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine broccoli, bacon, grapes, green onions, celery and cheese. Mix well.

  • In a small bowl, combine mayo, sugar and vinegar. Whisk until creamy. Add to broccoli mixture and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

Notes

  • To slim down the recipe, replace half or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt. You can also cut the amount of sugar used in the recipe in half.
  • White vinegar can be easily replaced with apple cider vinegar or white or red wine vinegar.
  • Party food, yes, but this also makes a delicious side dish for any meal!
  • Swap out grapes for a dried fruit such as raisins or dried cranberries.
  • Replace the green onions with finely chopped yellow or red onions, if desired (no more than 1/2 cup).

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 313mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 505IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

« Grapefruit Margaritas Recipe

How To Make Fruit Pizza Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make brocoli salad? ›

Whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar and honey. Toss salad ingredients with dressing: Combine broccoli florets, almonds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well.

What is broccoli salad made of? ›

What Is in Broccoli Salad?
  • Raw broccoli florets. Yep, no need to blanch broccoli for this salad. ...
  • Bacon. Cooked until crispy, then minced.
  • Raw red onion, also minced.
  • Sunflower seeds, for crunch. Look for the unsalted kind.
  • Raisins.
Feb 20, 2024

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad? ›

Blanching is a cooking process that removes the harsh, bitter taste of raw broccoli while setting its bright green color. It also ensures that the broccoli won't be overcooked as it can just be tossed with a finished recipe at the end.

Can broccoli be eaten raw as in a salad? ›

Broccoli can be prepared in numerous ways, including sautéed, steamed, boiled, or roasted, but it can also be served raw in salads or with dips.

How long does broccoli last in the fridge? ›

Fresh broccoli lasts between 3 to 5 days in the fridge when properly stored. “For cut-up broccoli, I would say no more than 4 days for optimal use,” Amidor says. “But it's best to cut from the whole head right before cooking or eating to maintain nutrients.”

What is the healthiest preparation of broccoli? ›

Boiling will remove up to 90% of broccoli's nutrients, so prepare it a similar way, such as blanching. First, get a bowl of ice water ready next to the stove. Boil water in a pot, add salt, and cook broccoli florets for 1-1½ minutes until they're just tender. Quickly cool them in the ice water.

What are broccoli and cabbage called? ›

Listen to pronunciation. (kroo-SIH-feh-rus VEJ-tuh-bul) A member of the family of vegetables that includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, and turnips. These vegetables contain substances that may protect against cancer.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli? ›

You may find that frozen broccoli that hasn't been blanched doesn't have as good of a taste or texture in recipes. However, it's usually fine in soups and stews, especially blended soups where it's not as crucial to have florets with a specific texture.

How long should I blanch broccoli? ›

To blanch broccoli, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, submerge chopped broccoli florets into the pot. It does not take long to blanch broccoli – only about 30-60 seconds, so keep an eye out for when the color changes from dull green to bright green.

Do I need to wash broccoli before blanching? ›

Before you cook or eat fresh broccoli, be sure to clean it to remove dirt, pesticides, and even bugs. You can wash your broccoli quickly and easily with water or a vinegar solution, and you can remove cabbage worms from the florets with a salt water solution.

Is it OK to eat broccoli everyday? ›

Introducing broccoli into your daily dietary routine can yield various health benefits. Its fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants contribute to improved digestion, bone health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Do you wash broccoli before or after cutting? ›

Before you proceed with any of these methods for how to clean broccoli, it's worth noting the ideal timing to do so. The USDA recommends washing produce just before using it to slow spoilage.

How long to boil broccoli? ›

Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cook the broccoli, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes. You'll know the broccoli is done when it's bright green and crisp-tender. Drain the broccoli into a colander, transfer it to a plate, and season it as you like.

How to prepare broccoli easily? ›

Cut the broccoli into small florets, and then blanch the florets in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Drain the broccoli, and then sauté it in olive oil or butter over medium heat until it is tender, about 4-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can also steam the broccoli for 4-5 minutes until it is tender.

How to make broccoli easy to eat? ›

Broccoli can be eaten raw, but blanching it quickly in boiling water helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You could even throw long spears on the grill!

Should you boil broccoli before chopping? ›

Chop your broccoli after you cook it – not before

Even better, once it's been boiled for a bit, it's so easy to remove all the florets with just a single slice of a knife. To try this tip yourself, place the whole broccoli head, floret side down, in a large pan of boiling water, and cook for 10 minutes.

Do you have to boil vegetables for salad? ›

A vegetable salad can be made in many different ways – with raw vegetables, with boiled or steamed vegetable and also with grilled veggies. Whatever way you make it, a vegetable salad is absolutely great for your body as it increases the intake of your veggies.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 5448

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.