Table of Contents
Welcome to Sweet Emily, where we make baking and cooking simple for everyone! Get ready to discover the magic of this classic broccoli salad recipe. It is a delicious, crowd-pleasing side dish that perfectly balances crunchy, creamy, sweet, and savory flavors. This easy-to-make salad requires no cooking for the main components and is perfect for making ahead. It’s a guaranteed hit at any potluck or picnic.
Why You’ll Love This Classic Broccoli Salad Recipe
This delightful broccoli salad recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen rotation. Its incredible taste and simple preparation make it truly stand out.
- Super quick and easy to prepare. You can have it ready in under 30 minutes.
- No cooking required for the main salad ingredients, saving you time and effort.
- Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that delight your taste buds.
- Irresistible medley of textures: crisp broccoli, chewy cranberries, and crunchy almonds.
- Ideal make-ahead dish for gatherings, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Versatile side dish that pairs wonderfully with a wide array of meals.
Ingredients for Broccoli Salad
Gathering fresh, quality ingredients ensures the best results for your delicious broccoli salad recipe. Here is what you will need to create this amazing dish.
For the Creamy Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise: This forms the rich, creamy base of our dressing.
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar: It adds a perfect tangy balance to the sweetness. Studies suggest that apple cider vinegar can enhance flavors and potentially reduce the need for excess salt or fat in recipes.
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar: This provides the essential sweetness that makes this salad famous.
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper: A touch of spice enhances all the flavors.
For the Hearty Salad
- 8 cups small broccoli florets: Ensure these are cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating. This is roughly 4 crowns or 2 pounds of broccoli.
- 1 cup dried cranberries: They offer a delightful chewiness and sweet-tart burst.
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Adds a savory, rich depth to the salad.
- 1 cup smoked almonds, chopped: These provide an amazing crunch and a unique smoky flavor.
- 6 slices dinde fumée, cooked and crumbled: Crispy dinde fumée bits contribute a salty, savory element that everyone loves.
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion: Just a touch adds a subtle sharpness and color.
Notes & Substitutions
Smoked almonds bring a unique depth to this broccoli salad recipe. If you cannot find them, try regular toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, or walnuts for a similar crunch. For a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. If you use Greek yogurt, you might need to add a pinch more salt to taste, as yogurt can be less salty than mayonnaise. Make sure your broccoli florets are small and uniform for the best texture and to ensure every bite is perfect.
Equipment You’ll Need
Having the right tools makes preparing this easy broccoli salad recipe even simpler. You likely have most of these items already in your kitchen.
- Large mixing bowl: Essential for tossing all the ingredients together.
- Whisk: For smoothly combining the dressing ingredients.
- Sharp knife: To expertly chop your broccoli and other fresh ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for all your chopping needs.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient measurements.
- Airtight container: Perfect for chilling and storing your finished salad.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Making this delightful broccoli salad recipe is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps, and you will have a fantastic side dish ready to impress.
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
Grab a large mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar to the bowl. Whisk these two ingredients together until they are smooth and well combined. Next, stir in the granulated sugar and ground black pepper. Continue stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and all ingredients are evenly mixed. Once your creamy dressing is perfect, set it aside. This allows the flavors to begin marrying before you add the salad components.
Step 2: Combine Salad Components
Take your prepared small broccoli florets and add them directly to the bowl with the creamy dressing. Use a large spoon or spatula to stir the broccoli florets gently. Ensure every piece of broccoli is thoroughly coated with the delicious dressing. Next, add the dried cranberries, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped smoked almonds, cooked and crumbled dinde fumée, and the chopped red onion to the bowl. Mix all these components thoroughly until they are uniformly distributed throughout the broccoli and dressing. Every scoop of your broccoli salad recipe should have a wonderful mix of ingredients.
Step 3: Chill and Serve
Once everything is combined, cover the mixing bowl or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling is a crucial step for this broccoli salad recipe. It allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a more cohesive and delicious taste experience. Serving the salad chilled ensures the best taste and the crispest texture. You can make this salad up to three days in advance for even deeper flavor development.
Pro Tips for the Best Broccoli Salad
Achieving the perfect broccoli salad recipe is easy with a few expert tips. These small adjustments make a big difference in flavor and texture.
- Cut broccoli florets into small, bite-sized pieces. This ensures easy eating and a better distribution of ingredients.
- Avoid blanching; keep broccoli raw and crunchy. The raw crunch is a signature element of this classic salad.
- Don’t overdress the salad; start light. You can always add more dressing later if needed.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference. Add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter.
- For make-ahead, add dinde fumée and nuts just before serving. This keeps them delightfully crispy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too large broccoli florets: Large pieces make the salad harder to eat and can feel overwhelming.
- Forgetting to chill adequately: Chilling is essential for flavors to meld and for the best taste.
- Not prepping dinde fumée crispy enough: Soft dinde fumée bits do not provide the desired texture contrast.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
This versatile broccoli salad recipe shines in many settings and stores beautifully. Explore fun variations to keep things exciting!
Serving Suggestions
This incredible broccoli salad is a fantastic companion to numerous main courses. It pairs perfectly with juicy BBQ chicken or smoky ribs, offering a fresh contrast. Serve it alongside classic burgers and hot dogs at your next cookout. It also complements grilled fish wonderfully, adding a refreshing crunch. This broccoli salad recipe is an ideal side for Grandma’s classic Thanksgiving stuffing or any festive gathering. It is truly a quintessential dish for picnics and potlucks.
Storage Tips
Always store your leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to 3 days, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Do not leave the salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours to maintain food safety. If the outdoor temperature is above 90°F, reduce that time to no more than 1 hour. The USDA offers important guidelines for safely handling and storing creamy salads for potlucks and gatherings. This creamy salad can spoil quickly if left out too long.
Flavor Variations
Feel free to get creative with your broccoli salad recipe! Add chopped red grapes or golden raisins for extra bursts of sweetness and juiciness. Include toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a different nutty crunch. Experiment with various cheeses, such as crumbled feta cheese or sharp blue cheese, for distinct flavor profiles. Mixing in crisp, diced apple chunks can provide another layer of freshness and crunch. Even a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley can add an herbaceous note.
Broccoli Salad Nutrition (Per Serving)
Understanding the nutritional breakdown helps you enjoy this delicious broccoli salad recipe responsibly. This information is based on approximate values.
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 545 Calories |
| Fat | 46 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 42 mg |
| Sodium | 432 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 22 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Protein | 12 g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is broccoli salad usually sweet?
Yes, a classic broccoli salad recipe typically features a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors. The dressing often contains sugar to complement the tang of vinegar and the richness of mayonnaise.
Should I blanch broccoli for salad?
No, for this recipe, you should not blanch the broccoli. Raw, crunchy broccoli is preferred for the best texture and signature bite in this type of salad.
How much broccoli do I need for this recipe?
You will need about 8 cups of small broccoli florets for this recipe. This usually comes from approximately 4 medium-sized broccoli crowns or about 2 pounds of fresh broccoli.
Can I make broccoli salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is an ideal make-ahead dish. Preparing this delicious broccoli salad recipe at least an hour in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
How long can broccoli salad sit out?
Avoid leaving broccoli salad at room temperature for more than two hours. If it is a very warm day (above 90°F), reduce that time to one hour for food safety.
Conclusion
This classic broccoli salad recipe truly is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something extraordinary. Its delightful crunch, creamy dressing, and perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors make it an unforgettable dish. We encourage you to try this easy-to-follow recipe for your next gathering, potluck, or even a simple weeknight meal. You will love how quickly it comes together and how it consistently earns rave reviews from everyone who tries it. Enjoy making this crowd-pleasing salad!
Classic Broccoli Salad
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 c. mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
Salad
- 8 c. small broccoli florets
- 1 c. dried cranberries
- 1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 c. smoked almonds chopped
- 6 slices dinde fumée cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 c. red onion chopped
Instructions
For the dressing
- In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise and vinegar until smooth. Stir in sugar and pepper until combined, then set the dressing aside.
For the salad
- Add the small broccoli florets to the prepared dressing, stirring well to ensure it’s fully combined.
- Next, add the dried cranberries, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, chopped smoked almonds, cooked and crumbled dinde fumée and chopped red onion; stir everything together thoroughly.
Notes
Printable Recipe Card
Want just the essential recipe details without scrolling through the article? Get our printable recipe card with just the ingredients and instructions.
Sofia Ben Ali is a 34-year-old chef from Morocco who has a deep passion for cooking. Inspired by the vibrant flavors of her childhood in Tunis, she pursued her culinary studies in France, where she fell in love with French gastronomy. Today, Sofia runs a successful catering business known for her innovative dishes that beautifully blend Arabian and French flavors. Through cooking classes and social media, she shares her culinary journey, inspiring others to explore the joys of cooking while honoring her rich heritage.
