Broccoli Salad Recipe (2024)

Broccoli salad made with fresh broccoli is the perfect side for dinner or bring it to your next potluck!

Broccoli salad has been on my mind lately! I think because it’s a million degrees and the thought of turning on the stove to make roasted broccoli sounds like an awful idea. Also this easy broccoli salad is deeeeelicious. We like enjoy it with homemade mac and cheese, macaroni salad, and peanut butter cookies!

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad ingredients

• Broccoli – always use fresh broccoli for broccoli salad. I like to chop the florets small and slice the stems thinly. Don’t waste the stems, they’re great in this salad.
• Carrots–super fine julienned carrots work perfectly. You want them to add a punch of color, but not an overbearing flavor.
• Bacon – I like to warm the bacon up in the microwave right before adding it to the salad, so the flavor mixes throughout the salad better.
• Dried cranberries– If you can find dried unsweetened cranberries, that’s ideal, otherwise Craisins or low sugar Craisins work well.
• Sunflower seeds – sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) add the perfect amount of salty crunch.
• Red onion – don’t skip this, I know a lot of folks don’t like onion, but you only need a little to round out the flavor of the dish nicely.

Dressing

• Mayonnaise – I’m a huge fan of full fat mayo, but if you’re looking to lighten things up low fat mayo will suffice. Just don’t use Miracle Whip!
• Honey – most broccoli salad recipes use sugar to sweeten the dressing, but I think honey tastes so much better. We only add a little bit, this isn’t dessert!
• Dijon mustard – just enough to balance the sweetness of the honey. I prefer smooth dijon mustard for this recipe as opposed to the stone ground.
• Soy sauce – whenever possible I like to use soy sauce in lieu of table salt because it adds the salt but also a delicious umami flavor as well.

Preparation

What kind of dressing goes on a broccoli salad?

It is traditionally dressed with a mayonnaise based dressing. Ours also uses dijon mustard for spice, soy sauce for some salty umami, and honey for a touch of sweetness.Many broccoli salad dressings are loaded with sugar, but we prefer to sweeten ours only slightly with just a touch of honey. And it’s delicious!

Can Broccoli Salad be made ahead of time?

Broccoli salad can be made ahead of time. Not only can it be made ahead of time, but I actually think it tastes better after the flavors have melded in the fridge overnight or at least for a few hours.

*This goes great alongside our baked chicken with Italian dressing!*

Nutrition

How many calories are in a cup of broccoli salad?

There are approximately 165 calories per 1 cup serving of this recipe when using full fat mayonnaise and low sugar Craisins.

Is broccoli salad healthy?

It is very healthy. It is full of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Specifically, broccoli, which makes up the majority of this salad, is a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin E, manganese, phosphorus, choline, vitamin B1, vitamin A, potassium and copper. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, niacin and selenium. source

If you’re doing Weight Watchers and looking to make this broccoli salad lower in points, try using low fat mayonnaise and apples instead of dried raisins. As written the recipe is 8 points per serving, but with the modifications it’s only 2 points!

Serving suggestions

I love this as a light lunch, but it’s also delicious as a side along with some parmesan baked chicken, and homemade steak fries or add a healthy touch to your pizza night when you make our bisquick pizza recipe!

More Salad Recipes to Love!

• Cobb Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Egg Salad
• Tuna Macaroni Salad
• Potato Salad Recipe
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Macaroni Salad

More broccoli recipes to love!

• Roasted broccoli recipe
• Broccoli cheese potato casserole
• Broccoli slaw salad
• Cheesy broccoli rice
• Cheese and Broccoli Soup

Recommended Tools

• Knife sharpener– Let me tell you about this knife sharpener! I won it at a conference almost ten years ago, and I still use it several times a week. It’s one of my go-to housewarming gifts and everyone I know just loves it.
• Santuko knife– My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
• End grain cutting board– This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on. And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards. It really is absolutely stunning, and knows how to take a beating. We use it every single day!