Broccoli Cranberry Salad

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Looking for an easy broccoli cranberry salad recipe? This classic side dish is made with broccoli, cranberries, red onion, bacon, and a creamy homemade dressing!

Bursting with fresh flavors and delightful textures, this salad is the perfect combination of crunchy broccoli, tangy onions, sweet cranberries, nutty sunflower seeds, crispy bacon bits, and a tangy homemade dressing.

This is a perfect side dish along with bacon egg salad and Amish pasta salad or BLT pasta salad for a potluck, cookout, bbq, or a quick lunch. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Why I love this recipe

• it takes just minutes to prep and needs only an hour in the fridge for the flavors to blend so it’s an easy make-ahead dish
• so many flavors and the combination of the creamy dressing with crispy veggies is perfection!

Ingredients

• broccoli
• red onion
• dries cranberries
• sunflower seeds
• bacon bits
• mayonnaise
• apple cider vinegar
• sugar
• salt and pepper

Step by Step

1. Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside while you prepare the salad ingredients.
2. Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, diced red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits.
3. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Using a spatula or spoon, gently toss everything together until the dressing evenly coats all the ingredients.
4. Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the broccoli salad for at least one hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and for the salad to chill, resulting in a refreshing and delicious dish.

Variations and add-ins

• If you prefer a vegetarian version of this salad, you can omit the bacon bits or substitute them with crispy tofu or tempeh for a plant-based alternative.
• add shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• substitute or add-in nuts: chopped pecans or walnuts, sliced almonds, or pepitas for extra crunch and nutty flavor
• substitute raisins for the cranberries

Storage

Store this classic broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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