Creamy Broccoli Salad

Created On: May 5, 2021 &nbsp| Updated: May 13, 2021 | 3 Comments | Jump to Recipe

This creamy broccoli salad, loaded with fresh broccoli, tangy red onion, dried cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and salty bacon, all coated in a creamy and tangy sauce. It’s perfect for an easy side dish for dinner, or a potluck, or bbq!

A close up of broccoli salad, with chopped broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon, with a light creamy dressing.

Broccoli salad is one of my favorite potluck side dishes. It’s a great option for serving at a summer barbecue, neighborhood potluck, Easter dinner, you name it. It can be thrown together in less than 20 minutes, and is a great make ahead option too.

This broccoli salad is perfectly creamy, crunchy and flavorful! It’s got such a yummy texture with so much crunch from the crisp broccoli and crunchy sunflower seeds. Everything pairs together nicely with the tangy onions, salty and delicious bacon. Paired with the tangy and sweet and creamy dressing it’s such a yummy salad option!

I first had broccoli salad from a nearby grocery store. They have a great deli area, and we love going there for a quick lunch or dinner option. And I just knew I had to find a version to make at home. It’s a great recipe to keep on hand for all spring and summer long.

A bowl of broccoli salad with two spoons in the back of the bowl.

Ingredients Needed for Broccoli Salad:

chopped broccoli
dried cranberries
sunflower seed kernels
diced red onion
cooked bacon
mayonnaise
granulated sugar
apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper

A bowl of the salad ingredients for broccoli salad, chopped broccoli, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, crumbled up bacon, and diced red onion.

How to make Broccoli Salad?

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper until they’re nice and creamy, set the bowl aside.

In a large bowl, add the chopped broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds, onion, and bacon. Toss them together. Pour the dressing over the top of the broccoli mixture and stir the salad together to coat everything evenly in the dressing.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for an hour or two before serving.

An overhead shot of chopped broccoli salad in a bowl.

Tips for Making the Best Broccoli Salad:

I’ve seen people also like to add cheddar cheese to their broccoli salads, you can add some that is thickly shredded or cubed. Add about 1 cup of cheese if desired.
For the best flavor let your salad sit for a little bit. The salad can be enjoyed right away, but I like to let the flavors meddle in the fridge for a couple hours to really get everything coated in the yummy dressing.
I like to use apple cider vinegar for the dressing, but you can also substitute white wine vinegar.
Broccoli salad can be made up to 3 days in advanced.

A close up of broccoli salad, with chopped broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon, with a light creamy dressing.

This creamy broccoli is crunchy, salty, tangy and delicious, with the perfect texture in every bite. It’s coated in the best sweet and tangy and creamy dressing, and is perfect for serving up all spring and summer long.

More Potluck Side Dish Ideas:

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A close up of broccoli salad, with chopped broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon, with a light creamy dressing.