Crunchy Garden Delight: Crispy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Broccoli takes center stage in this irresistible crispy broccoli salad that bursts with flavor and texture.

Crunchy florets mingle with a medley of vibrant ingredients, creating a dish that’s both nutritious and mouthwatering.

Bacon bits add a smoky depth, while sunflower seeds provide an unexpected crunch.

The creamy dressing ties everything together with a tangy embrace.

Red onions bring a sharp bite that cuts through the richness of the other components.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top elevate this salad from simple to spectacular.

Each forkful promises a delightful adventure for your taste buds that you won’t want to miss.

How to Store This Broccoli Salad Without Sogging Out

• Store the broccoli salad in an airtight container to maintain crispness and prevent soggy textures. Keep refrigerated for maximum flavor preservation.
• Chop broccoli and prepare ingredients separately up to 2 days before mixing, keeping components in different sealed containers to retain individual ingredient quality.
• Combine dressing and salad ingredients only 1-2 hours before serving to prevent vegetables from becoming watery and maintain optimal crunchiness.
• Consume refrigerated salad within 3-4 days. Gently stir before serving to redistribute dressing and revive flavors. Avoid freezing, as mayonnaise-based dressings can separate and lose texture.

FAQs

• How can I make this broccoli salad healthier?

Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, reduce sugar, add more seeds or nuts for extra nutrition, and use turkey bacon or skip bacon for a lighter version.

• Is this salad good for meal prep?

Yes, it stays crisp for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep dressing and toppings separate to maintain crunchiness.

• Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?

Fresh broccoli works best. Frozen broccoli tends to be watery and less crisp, which might make the salad soggy. If using frozen, thaw and pat completely dry before using.

• What can I substitute if I don't have sunflower seeds?

Swap sunflower seeds with chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, or pecans for similar crunch and nutty flavor. Each option will slightly change the overall taste profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into the Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

• Mayonnaise: Silky smooth base that creates creamy texture and adds rich tangy flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Bright acidic element that balances sweetness and enhances overall taste.
• Sugar: Provides gentle sweetness to round out dressing's flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that amplifies and connects all flavor notes.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle spiciness to the dressing.

• Broccoli: Crisp green vegetable with robust nutritional profile and delightful crunch.
• Red Onion: Sharp, slightly pungent ingredient that adds vibrant color and zesty bite.

• Shredded Cheese: Creamy, tangy element that provides rich dairy dimension.
• Cranberries: Tart, jewel-like dried fruit that introduces sweet-sour contrast.
• Sunflower Seeds: Nutty, crunchy topping that delivers delightful textural complexity.
• Crumbled Bacon: Smoky, savory ingredient that introduces irresistible meaty richness.

Tools You’ll Use for That Crunchy Broccoli Mix

• Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Small bowl: Ideal for mixing the creamy dressing.
• Large bowl: Essential for combining and tossing all salad ingredients.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping broccoli and red onion.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and bacon cutting.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients.

Making the Best Broccoli Salad: A Simple Guide

• Whip Up the Flavor Boost

Create a creamy dressing by blending tangy mayo with apple cider vinegar, adding a touch of sweetness and a sprinkle of seasoning. Stir until silky smooth and perfectly balanced.

• Build Your Veggie Masterpiece

Toss crisp broccoli florets with zesty red onion, sharp cheese, chewy cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and savory bacon bits into a vibrant mixing bowl.

• Marry the Flavors

Drench the veggie mixture with your dreamy dressing, gently folding until every morsel gets a luxurious coating. Ensure each ingredient is thoroughly embraced by the creamy goodness.

• Chill and Delight

Pop the bowl in the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute flavor fusion. Let the ingredients mingle and get acquainted. Serve cold and watch everyone dive in with excitement.

Tips for, Tangy, and Crunchy Broccoli Salad

• Toast the sunflower seeds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the salad, which will enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
• This broccoli salad tastes even better after sitting overnight, allowing the flavors to fully develop and ingredients to soften slightly.
• Replace bacon with crispy roasted chickpeas or tempeh bacon for a vegetarian alternative that still provides a satisfying protein and texture element.
• Swap sugar with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, and use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to reduce calories and carbohydrates while maintaining creamy texture.
• For nut-free diets, replace sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds or skip seeds altogether, ensuring the salad remains safe for those with nut allergies.

Serving the Best Broccoli Salad at Any Meal

• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this broccoli salad in a portable container for outdoor gatherings, ensuring a cool and refreshing side dish that travels well.
• Protein Power Boost: Enhance the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken strips or hard-boiled eggs for a more substantial meal.
• Texture Twist Technique: Sprinkle extra toasted sunflower seeds or chopped almonds right before serving to add a delightful crunch and maintain seed freshness.
• Creative Leftover: Transform remaining salad into a tasty wrap filling by adding some extra greens and spreading it inside a tortilla for a quick lunch option.

Crispy Broccoli Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Crisp and refreshing broccoli salad blends crunchy vegetables with tangy dressing for a delightful side dish. Cool textures and zesty flavors make this salad a perfect companion for summer gatherings where people crave something light and satisfying.

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Ingredients

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• 45 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 5 cups (1.2 liters) fresh broccoli florets, chopped
• ½ cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (80 grams) red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsps (25 g) sugar (or honey)
• ⅓ cup (40 g) dried cranberries or raisins
• ⅓ cup (40 g) sunflower seeds (or sliced almonds)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until a smooth, balanced emulsion forms with consistent sweetness and seasoning.
2. Ingredient Assembly: Combine chopped broccoli florets, red onion, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon in a large mixing bowl, creating a colorful and textural foundation.
3. Flavor Fusion: Pour prepared dressing over the ingredient mixture, thoroughly tossing to ensure complete and even coating, allowing each component to glisten with the creamy dressing.
4. Flavor Infusion: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, enabling ingredients to marinate and develop a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
5. Serving Presentation: Remove from refrigerator, gently stir one final time, and serve chilled as a vibrant and refreshing side dish that offers a delightful culinary experience.

Notes

• Prep Broccoli Carefully: Cut florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even dressing coverage and consistent texture throughout the salad.
• Balance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients slowly and thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy emulsion that clings perfectly to ingredients without becoming too runny.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow salad to marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, which helps ingredients absorb dressing and develop more intense, harmonized taste profile.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily modify recipe by substituting mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for lower-fat version or using plant-based bacon for vegetarian alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg