The BEST Broccoli Salad
User Reviews
4.5
The BEST Broccoli Salad
Description
The BEST Broccoli Salad features large chopped broccoli florets mixed with finely chopped red onion, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries for sweetness, and chopped thick-cut cooked bacon for savory contrast. The dressing uses mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt for creaminess, maple syrup for subtle sweetness, and rice vinegar (or alternatives like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice) for a gentle tang, balanced with sea salt to taste.
The salad is tossed with the dressing and refrigerated for at least one hour, allowing the broccoli to absorb the dressing and soften slightly while retaining some crunch. The mixture of textures from the seeds, cranberries, and bacon complements the fresh broccoli and onion. The salad suits a side dish to main meals or a light lunch option.
Adjustments to the amount of bacon and substitutions like omitting bacon for vegetarian versions or replacing maple syrup with cane sugar allow customization. The recipe supports flexibility depending on dietary preferences and ingredient availability.
Chilling is important to develop flavor and integrate the dressing with the salad ingredients fully before serving.
Ingredients
Broccoli Salad:
- 6 cups broccoli 2 large heads, chopped, florets
- 1/3 cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup sunflower seeds raw or roasted
- 4 to 8 Bacon cooked and chopped, thick cut, strips
- ¾ cup dried cranberries or raisins
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup yogurt 1 (5.3-oz. container, plain, Greek
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup pure
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice
- ¾ tsp salt to taste, sea salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, red onion, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and cooked chopped bacon.
- Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl until creamy and well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli salad and toss until everything is well-coated in dressing. At first it may seem like there is too much dressing, but the broccoli will absorb the dressing as it sits.
- For the best results, refrigerate the broccoli salad for at least one hour before serving it with your main dish and other side dishes.
Notes
- Adjust bacon quantity to taste or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Use more mayonnaise in place of Greek yogurt if preferred for a creamier dressing.
- Pure maple syrup can be substituted with cane sugar if unavailable.
- Refrigerate at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and broccoli to soften slightly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 366 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Serving (of 6) | |
| Calories | 366kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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