The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

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

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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!

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The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is broccoli salad made of? ›

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.

Why do you blanch broccoli for salad? ›

🥄 How to Make Broccoli Salad

Blanching keeps the broccoli firm but the taste will be a little less “raw” and it also sets the pretty green color. This is an optional step, but I think it's really worth doing. To blanch the florets, bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1 minute.

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 the active ingredient in broccoli? ›

Broccoli and its active ingredient, sulforaphane were reported to possess tremendous pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antidepressant, antihypertensive and antidiabetic to mention but few.

Is it OK to eat broccoli every day? ›

Regularly incorporating broccoli into your daily diet can contribute to stronger bones and potentially lower the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis. Broccoli can be a beneficial inclusion in the diet of those seeking to manage their weight.

How long will 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.”

Do you boil broccoli before cutting? ›

If you're trying to waste less food and wish to cook the broccoli stems with the florets, cut them into bite-sized pieces and boil them for about two minutes before you add the florets to the pot of boiling water. Since broccoli stems cook more slowly than the florets, they need more time on the stove.

What happens if you don't blanch broccoli? ›

If you don't blanch your broccoli, it will turn color and acquire a bitter taste. You can either stick it in boiling water for three minutes to blanch, or steam it for five minutes, whichever you choose.

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.

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.

What are the healthy ingredients in broccoli? ›

Broccoli is a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamins C, K, and A. It also contains several important minerals, including potassium, calcium, and iron. These antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

What is the difference between broccoli and broccoli heads? ›

The dark green broccoli plant has a firm stalk and branching arms that end in heads of florets. Broccoli heads are actually groups of buds that are almost ready to flower; each group of buds is called a floret.

Why is restaurant broccoli so good? ›

How do restaurants make broccoli taste so good? As with everything made by chefs, they have unexpected (read: unhealthy) additions to their meals — mostly butter, oil and heaps of salt. An excellent tip for the perfect broccoli is the blanching step.

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