Best Broccoli Cranberry Salad

5 from 8 votes

Best Broccoli Cranberry Salad

The Best Cranberry Broccoli Salad is the perfect healthy side dish with bacon and sunflower seeds in a creamy dressing. Easy to assemble in under 15 minutes, it's a delicious make ahead recipe.

Prep Time20

Cook Time0

Total Time20

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: holidays, vegetables

Servings:

Calories: 165kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Salad

8 cups broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
½ cup diced red onion
4 ounces cheddar cheese cut into small cubes
¼ cup pomegranate arils more for garnish
¼ cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds more for garnish

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together salad ingredients.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are coated well.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with additional sunflower seeds and cranberries.

Video

Notes

TIPS FOR SUCCESS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Feel free to get creative and tailor the broccoli salad to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Chop Ingredients Uniformly: Aim for uniformity in chopping the broccoli, nuts, onions, and other ingredients. This creates a balanced bite with a mix of flavors and textures in each forkful.
Let it Chill: Allow the assembled salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to mingle and intensify.
Experiment with Dressing Variations: Try different dressings to find the one that suits your taste. Whether it's a classic mayo-based dressing, a tangy vinaigrette, or a yogurt-based option, the dressing can significantly influence the overall flavor. White wine vinegar or red wine vinegar can be used in place of the apple cider vinegar.
Include Fresh Herbs: Add a pop of freshness with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill. This adds another layer of flavor and brightens up the salad.
Broccoli Alternatives: If you're not a fan of broccoli, consider using cauliflower or a broccoli-cauliflower mix for a similar cruciferous crunch.
Dried Fruit Swaps: Swap dried cranberries for golden raisins, currants, juicy grapes, or chopped dried apricots.
Nut Variations: Use crunchy almonds, sesame seeds, cashews, walnut, or pecans instead of sunflower seeds.
Cheese Choices: Experiment with different cheeses like extra sharp cheddar cheese, feta, gouda, or goat cheese.
Red Onion Variations: If red onion is too strong, you can use green onions or chives for a milder flavor.

Storage:

Refrigeration: Store leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Consume Promptly: For optimal taste and texture, it's advisable to consume broccoli salad within 1-2 days. While it may be safe for a longer duration, some ingredients, like broccoli, can lose their crispness over time.

Avoid Freezing: Due to the ingredients' textures, freezing broccoli salad is not recommended. Freezing can lead to changes in texture.

Refreshing the Salad: If the salad has been in the refrigerator for a day and needs a refresh, consider adding a bit more dressing or a squeeze of lemon juice to revive the flavors.

Nutrition

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