Broccoli Salad Recipe
A fresh, crunchy, and creamy broccoli salad recipe made with raw broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, red onion, bacon, and a light homemade dressing. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or easy meal prep.
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Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 280kcal
Cost: $8
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl For tossing ingredients
- 1 Small jar For shaking dressing
- 1 Chef’s knife For chopping veggies
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Measuring spoons For dressing ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 heads broccoli chopped into small florets
- ¼ cup red onion finely sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
- 4 strips cooked bacon chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop broccoli into small bite-sized florets.
- Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain.
- In a small jar, combine mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Shake until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, red onion, bacon, cranberries, seeds, and cheese.
- Pour dressing over and toss until everything is well coated.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Don’t skip the soak: If your red onion feels too sharp, soak it in cold water for 5–10 minutes before mixing. It softens the bite without losing the flavor.
- Make it dairy-free: Use a vegan mayo and skip the cheese, or sub in a plant-based cheddar. Still creamy, still delicious.
- Meal prep win: This broccoli salad recipe is a dream for make-ahead lunches. Store undressed ingredients and dressing separately for the freshest results all week.
- Blanch if you must: Not a fan of raw broccoli? Blanch florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water. It keeps color and crunch with a gentler bite.
- Customize away: Add apples, roasted chickpeas, pepitas, or switch up the dried fruit. This recipe plays well with whatever you have on hand.
- Sweetener swaps: You can replace the honey with maple syrup or even monk fruit sweetener for a lower-sugar option. Start with less and taste as you go.
- Dressing doubles well: Making for a big crowd? Double the dressing. Extra creamy goodness never hurt anybody.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Sodium: 310mg | Vitamin A: 650IU