Servings
Font
Back
The BEST Broccoli Salad
4.5 from 174 votes

The BEST Broccoli Salad

This broccoli salad combines crunchy broccoli florets, crisp red onion, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and thick-cut cooked bacon with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vinegar. The dressing is absorbed as the salad chills, melding flavors and softening the broccoli slightly while maintaining texture. This salad can be adjusted for bacon quantity or made vegetarian by omitting bacon, offering flexibility for different tastes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 366 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, red onion, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and cooked chopped bacon.
  2. Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl until creamy and well combined.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

Serving 1Serving (of 6) Calories 366kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 36g (12%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 21g (32%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 21g (42%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366

% 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.