Broccoli Salad

This fresh Broccoli Salad recipe is a super simple side dish you can make year-round. In it, crisp fresh broccoli florets are combined with tangy red onion, crumbled bacon, toasted pecans and shredded cheddar cheese all dressed with a creamy homemade dressing. It’s so popular, that here in my neck of the woods that it’s available prepared in every grocery store deli case. Add this recipe to your side dish menu for picnics, the holidays or weekday meals with the family.

Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Easy refrigerator salads like this Broccoli Salad have always been a favorite of mine to make. They can be prepared in advance and kept chilled in the fridge for a quick side dish to go with an entrée. I’ve taken a bit of liberty with this salad, as classic broccoli salad recipe would usually include raisins and some sort of nuts or toasted sesame seeds. Since I cook according to my family’s taste, it gives me full creative control to adjust to our taste and I opt for toasted pecans.

How to Make the Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

This Broccoli Salad with bacon is one of those deli salads that are commonly found all throughout the South. As with any recipe, cook’s often remake salad recipes to include the little ingredient twists that they know their family will enjoy. That’s precisely reflected in this recipe with just a couple of ingredients switches. This is one of those easy salad recipes that comes together in a snap and the sweet and tangy dressing adds just the right touch.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make this easy recipe for Broccoli Salad: Fresh broccoli florets, cooked bacon, onion, dried cranberries or raisins, toasted pecans or walnuts, diced red bell pepper, green onions and shredded cheddar cheese.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: Sharp knife and cutting board, cheese grater, measuring cups and spoons, large spoon for stirring, large bowl, whisk.
• To make the dressing for broccoli salad this is what you do: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, granulated garlic, onion powder and black pepper.
• Is it necessary to blanch the broccoli for this salad? A through cleaning is all you need to do to make this broccoli salad. I’ve never found it necessary to blanch it prior to assembling with the remaining ingredients.
• You can make this broccoli salad with raisins or broccoli salad with cranberries. You can also make broccoli salad with sunflower seeds. Either way it’s delicious!
• Please note: You have to use fresh broccoli florets and not frozen broccoli for this easy broccoli salad recipe.
• You can use classic raisins or golden raisins in this recipe.
• You may enjoy adding sliced cherry tomatoes which is a fantastic Summer version when fresh produce is in abundance.
• To make broccoli salad low carb use full fat mayonnaise, perhaps less cheddar cheese and onion and omit the raisins or dried cranberries and use an alternate sweetener for the dressing in place of white sugar.
• My version of broccoli salad includes toasted pecans and dried cranberries, although each can be switched out with alternatives, if you prefer. Some broccoli salads call for sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds and raisins or golden raisins in place of dried cranberries. Make it your own.
• You could also switch out the pecans for sliced almonds or chopped walnuts. Regardless, take the time to toast the nuts or seeds for added flavor.
• You can also use a different flavor of shredded cheese such as a mild or medium cheddar or colby jack cheese in the same amount called for in the recipe.
• Store broccoli salad in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

More Southern Salad Recipes to Make

I’d be hard pressed to think of a meal that wouldn’t suit a salad of some kind on the menu as a side dish. More easy salad recipes you may like to try:

• Homestyle Macaroni Salad is a warm weather staple.
• A colorful Seven Layer Salad is a feast for the eyes.
• This creamy Grape Salad Recipe can double as a side dish or a dessert.
• This layered Cornbread Salad is as delicious as it is colorful.
• A Tomato Cracker Salad is always the talk of the table.
• Tuna Macaroni Salad can double on as a side dish or a busy day main dish.
• This Easy Southern Pear Salad doesn’t require any cooking at all.
• Another delicious refrigerator salad you may like is this Bell Pepper Salad from Know Your Produce.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Knife and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set
• Colander