Classic Broccoli Salad
A creamy, crunchy, and refreshing broccoli salad made with fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a sweet-tangy dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, cookouts, family dinners, and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-size pieces
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup raisins or dried cranberries
For the Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the broccoli: Wash the broccoli thoroughly, dry well, and cut it into small bite-size florets.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine the salad: Add the broccoli, red onion, cheddar cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and raisins to a large bowl.
- Add the dressing: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to blend and makes the salad even more delicious.
- Serve: Give the salad a gentle toss just before serving. For the best texture, serve chilled.
Tip: For extra crunch, add the sunflower seeds just before serving. You can also substitute dried cranberries for the raisins for a slightly sweeter flavor.