Broccoli Salad

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Broccoli Salad is an easy side dish recipe everyone loves. Sweet & tangy dressing with broccoli, bacon, carrots, raisins, and red onions.

broccoli salad in a white ramekin

Broccoli Bacon Salad

I love an easy side dish that can be made ahead of time. ย This classic broccoli salad recipe is so versatile. ย It’s great for a quick side dish for a busy weeknight meal. ย It would be perfect for bringing to a BBQ or potluck. ย It would even work as a holiday recipe. ย I served this last Easter with ham and everyone loved it.

How To Make This Broccoli Salad Recipe

*Note: ย The full printable recipe card is at the bottom of this post.

  • This is a one bowl recipe. ย So, make the homemade dressing in the bottom of a large mixing bowl.
  • Add mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  • Whisk until smooth.

Bowl of mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper for homemade dressing

  • To the dressing bowl, add broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, grated carrots, raisins, and red onions.
  • Stir well to coat everything in dressing.

large mixing bowl with the chopped ingredients for broccoli salad, ready to be stirred

  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
  • Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

plastic wrap being placed over a large bowl of broccoli salad

Can This Be Made Ahead Of Time

Yes. ย In fact, I think broccoli salad tastes the best after it has been chilling for about 4 hours. ย You can definitely make it the night before you plan on serving it.

It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. ย But, after about 1 day, some of the veggies will start loosing some of their crunch.

broccoli salad in a white bowl

Variations

  • Switch out the raisins for dried cranberries.
  • Switch out the grated carrots for shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Add sunflower seeds or sliced almonds.
  • Add fresh fruit like chopped apples, sliced grapes, or quartered strawberries.

More Great Easy Side Dish Recipes

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broccoli salad in a white ramekin

The Best Classic Broccoli Salad Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Broccoli Salad is an easy side dish recipe everyone loves. Sweet & tangy dressing covers broccoli, bacon, carrots, raisins, and red onions.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Video

Servings 8 servings
Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 6 cups small broccoli florets
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 3/4 cup raisins I use golden
  • 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon bits
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the mayo, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
  • Add the broccoli, carrots, raisins, bacon bits, and red onions. Stir well.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to three days.
  • Stir well before serving. Serve cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8th of the recipe | Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 483mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3119IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Salad, Side Dish
Keyword broccoli side dish recipe, how to make broccoli salad
Cuisine American
Author Amanda Finks

Check out all my great salad recipes.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love this salad! I have made many adjustments at different times, but my rating is based on this recipe as written. I just don’t understand why people will rate a recipe when they have modified nearly every ingredient!

  2. Sounds great, but I’m not a huge fan of ‘raw’ broccoli. Will the broccoli florets soften a bit after they’re mixed with the dressing, or would you suggest that I quickly blanch & shock them?

About Amanda Finks

Iโ€™m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Zionsville, IN. Iโ€™m an avid cook, travel nerd, & lover of good food! Iโ€™m trained in Food Science & recipe development. Itโ€™s my mission to bring you the BEST recipes your whole family will love!

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