The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

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posted by Michelle Gothon Jun 10, 2015 (updated Jan 25, 2024)

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This is the best broccoli salad recipe! It’s an upgraded version of classic broccoli salad made with sunflower seeds, crispy bacon and golden raisins.

Looking for the perfect summer salad? It’s right here! This is my favorite broccoli salad recipe because it’s an upgraded version of classic broccoli salad! We use salty bacon, sunflower seeds and juicy golden raisins to enhance the crunchy vegetables in this recipe.

I like to make this bacon broccoli salad recipe for summer picnics. It’s a classic side dish and pairs perfectly with anything you grill! When I have leftovers, I will often eat it for lunch as my main dish. Broccoli is full of protein and fiber, and quite filling!

For this creamy broccoli salad, I use a mayonnaise-based dressing. So, it’s quite important to use a high-quality mayonnaise. You can absolutely use light mayonnaise, but I would not recommend using Miracle Whip due to its use of less healthy oils and added sugars.

Looking for other delicious side dish recipes? Check out all of the side dish recipes on Blackberry Babe.

Recipe Substitutions:

Instead of white vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
Substitute plain greek yogurt for the mayo in the creamy dressing.
Instead of the crunchy sunflower seeds, used chopped pecans or slivered almonds.
Instead of broccoli and cauliflower florets, consider using shredded broccoli slaw!
Instead of cooking up bacon strips, you can choose to use real bacon bits to save a bit of time.
If you have leftover broccoli stem, this is actually a great way to use it up! Just dice it into bite sized pieces.

Recipe Additions:

I think this is the perfect salad just as it is, but there are several additions you can make to suit your personal preferences. Here are few suggestions:

diced green onion
shredded or cubed cheddar cheese
goat cheese
dried cranberries

Serving Suggestions:

I think this broccoli cauliflower salad is the perfect side dish! It’s a wonderful side salad for any summer bbq or potluck.

Serve with grilled chicken, air fryer chicken wings, or The Best Barbecued Pork Steaks!

Storing Leftovers:

Have leftover broccoli salad? No problem! Store leftover broccoli bacon salad in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

The Best Crunchy Broccoli Salad

Yield: Serves 10

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

A delicious and healthy salad, combining broccoli, cauliflower, sunflower seeds, bacon, raisins and a sweet and tart dressing.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients:

½ pound bacon, cooked and diced
3 cups fresh broccoli florets, roughly chopped, raw
3 cups raw cauliflower, diced, raw
1 small white or red onion, finely chopped
1 cup raisins (I prefer golden raisins, look for them in your bulk foods section)
⅓ cup unsalted sunflower seeds

Dressing Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine raw broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, raisins and sunflower seeds. Toss to combine.
In a smaller bowl, make the dressing. add mayonnaise, sugar and white vinegar. Whisk until well combined.
Add mayonnaise dressing to broccoli mixture. Stir until well combined.
Keep covered in refrigerator when not serving.

Notes

Please do not cook the broccoli or cauliflower! This is best when the veggies are raw.
If you do not like cauliflower, just use roccoli (6 cups total).

Nutrition Information

Yield 10Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 391Total Fat 27gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 32mgSodium 806mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 3gSugar 21gProtein 11g

The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app and may be incorrect.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Love this easy Amish Broccoli Salad?Try my family’s long-time favorite Classic Country Cole Slaw, or my personal favorite Blackberry Crumble Dump Cake.

Side Dish

originally published on Jun 10, 2015 (last updated Jan 25, 2024)

21 comments Leave a comment »

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21 comments on “The Best Crunchy Broccoli Salad”

Kacey @ The Cookie Writer — June 10, 2015 @ 2:56 pm Reply
This salad looks amazing! I am a big salad lover, but my husband is not, so I find I am not eating it as often as I like. These simple recipes will keep you away from the diners in town 🙂
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- Michelle — June 10, 2015 @ 3:06 pm
  Yes! You can only eat so many reubens for lunch before having to size up. 😉 Thanks Kacey!
Justine | Cooking and Beer — June 11, 2015 @ 12:09 am Reply
Oh yum! This salad looks like it has so much flavor! So unique!
Ginny McMeans — June 11, 2015 @ 12:19 am Reply
I love cool vegetable salads in the summer. So many wonderful ingredients. This one is a keeper!
Deb @ Cooling on the Front Burner — June 11, 2015 @ 1:57 am Reply
Love to have a variety of salad recipes for the summer – this one looks great!
Cathy Trochelman — June 11, 2015 @ 6:08 pm Reply
I love the savory sweet flavor combo! Looks perfect for summer picnics!
ami@naivecookcooks — June 11, 2015 @ 7:47 pm Reply
I love this!! I ate some sort of similar salad without cauliflower at my friend’s place and loved loved it! Here I am loving the idea of adding cauliflower!! Looks so delish!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files — June 12, 2015 @ 10:10 pm Reply
I am always the one to bring healthier dishes to BBQ’s and this update to the classic broccoli salad is just what I need to make this summer!
- Michelle — June 15, 2015 @ 6:55 pm
  I’m that person too. Although I also always bring something sweet. Moderation!
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Lauren H. — September 25, 2015 @ 9:16 pm Reply
I am so excited to try this!! i looovvveeee brocolli salad!!!!!! yay!!!!
- Michelle — September 27, 2015 @ 12:45 am
  You will love it! I’ve made a bajillion times at this point. I love the bring the leftovers for lunch, it’s actually SUPER filling!
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Steve — April 28, 2016 @ 11:44 pm Reply
Looks fantastic but 1/2 cup sugar? Really?
- Michelle — April 29, 2016 @ 3:53 pm
  Yes, really! It’s a very sweet, coleslaw style dressing and this makes a big batch. You are of course welcome to use less and see if it still tastes good!
Julie — December 23, 2020 @ 9:04 pm Reply
I like to parboil the veggies and chop them up a bit more so it’s easier to eat for seniors.
- Michelle Goth — January 4, 2021 @ 10:07 am
  Great tip! It’s definitely a crunchy salad.
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