This Fresh and Creamy Broccoli Salad is crunchy, colorful, and packed with delicious flavors! Fresh broccoli florets are tossed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, sweet dried cranberries, red onion, and sunflower seeds, all coated in a rich, creamy homemade dressing. It’s an easy side dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts, family dinners, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Course: Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup shredded carrots (optional)
For the Creamy Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Fresh broccoli florets close up in a glass bowl on light grey background
Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli
Wash the broccoli thoroughly and dry it completely. Cut it into small, bite-sized florets. Remove any tough stems and place the broccoli in a large mixing bowl.
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Step 2: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
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Step 3: Add the Salad Ingredients
Add the cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, diced red onion, sunflower seeds, and shredded carrots to the broccoli.
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Step 4: Combine Everything
Pour the creamy dressing over the broccoli mixture. Gently toss everything until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
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Step 5: Chill the Salad
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to blend together and makes the salad even more delicious.
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Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Give the salad a gentle toss before serving. Sprinkle a little extra cheddar cheese, bacon, and sunflower seeds on top for a beautiful finishing touch.
Tips for the Best Broccoli Salad
- Use fresh broccoli: Fresh, crisp broccoli gives the salad the best texture.
- Dry thoroughly: Remove excess water after washing so the dressing stays creamy.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salad a few hours before serving for better flavor.
- Add extra crunch: Toasted sunflower seeds or chopped almonds work beautifully.
- Adjust sweetness: Add a little more honey if you prefer a sweeter dressing.
- Keep it chilled: Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop the ingredients separately up to 24 hours in advance. Combine before serving for the freshest texture.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because the broccoli and creamy dressing can become watery and lose their texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make broccoli salad the night before?
Yes! You can prepare it the night before and refrigerate it in an airtight container. For the best crunch, add the sunflower seeds just before serving.
2. Can I make this salad without bacon?
Absolutely! Simply leave out the bacon or replace it with roasted chickpeas or extra sunflower seeds.
3. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes! Plain Greek yogurt works wonderfully and gives the dressing a slightly tangy flavor.
4. What can I serve with broccoli salad?
This salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, roasted turkey, barbecue ribs, burgers, sandwiches, and baked potatoes.
Nutrition Information
Approximate values per serving; actual nutrition varies by ingredients and brands.
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Protein: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 390mg
Recipe Card
Fresh and Creamy Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad – JoyFoodSunshine
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 5 min
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 5 cups broccoli florets
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup red onion
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Garlic powder, salt, and pepper
Quick Directions
- Chop and dry the broccoli.
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients.
- Combine broccoli, bacon, cheese, cranberries, onion, and seeds.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Garnish and serve chilled.
