Description
Crunchy, creamy, and packed with flavor, this broccoli salad is the perfect side dish for potlucks, BBQs, and weeknight dinners. Made with fresh broccoli, a tangy dressing, and delicious mix-ins, it’s easy to make and even better the next day!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 6 cups (about 10 oz.) fresh broccoli florets (bite-sized)
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon, about 5 slices, not thick cut
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the broccoli, cheddar cheese, red onion, bacon, cranberries, and almonds.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, and mustard. Pour the dressing over the salad. Season with salt and pepper, and toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30-60 minutes to let the flavors meld. Before serving, taste for salt and pepper and adjust as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Make Ahead: This broccoli salad is one of my favorites for making ahead. In fact, it tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. For the best results, prepare the salad and dressing separately, then combine them 1-2 hours before serving to keep the ingredients crisp and fresh. If making it a day in advance, wait to add the almonds until just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Just be sure to give the salad a stir before serving to redistribute the ingredients!
- Suggested Portion: If serving at a potluck or BBQ, this salad should comfortably serve 6 people, but it can stretch to 8 smaller portions if paired with multiple sides.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 357
- Sugar: 14.7 g
- Sodium: 315.8 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.1 g
- Protein: 7.1 g
- Cholesterol: 23.4 mg