Broccoli Salad (2024)

Broccoli salad is a total crowd-pleaser, and one dish that will always be completely devoured at your summer potluck or barbecue. This recipe comes together in just 25 minutes (and can be made ahead of time), so you can whip up a big batch in practically no time at all.

The creamy salad makes for the perfect side dish or light meal — and you can dress it up or down however you like. Plus, with all the other ingredients, even the picky eaters will love this green-filled dish.

What's in Broccoli Salad?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to broccoli salad. In fact, every home chef may make their broccoli salad a little differently.

There are a few ingredients everyone can agree on in a broccoli salad, though: broccoli and a creamy, mayo- and vinegar-based dressing. Any additional ingredients are up to the cook.

Typically, broccoli salads also contain things like bacon, red onions, nuts (like almonds), seeds (like sunflower seeds), dried fruit (like raisins or dried cranberries), and cheese (usually Cheddar). You can pick and choose which ingredients you want to add. For example, this version has bacon, red onions, raisins, and almonds.

The creamy dressing for the salad is almost always made with mayonnaise, white sugar, and white wine vinegar.

How to Make Broccoli Salad

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade broccoli salad:

1. Make the dressing.
2. Cook and crumble the bacon.
3. Combine the ingredients.

Can You Make Broccoli Salad With Frozen Broccoli?

Technically, you can use frozen broccoli to make broccoli salad. However, it requires more steps and the broccoli will have a different consistency than if you use fresh.

In most broccoli salads, you don't cook your broccoli so it stays raw and crunchy. If you're using frozen broccoli, however, you will need to lightly boil the broccoli.

To use frozen broccoli, place the frozen florets in a pot of water and bring the water to a boil. As soon as it begins to boil, remove the broccoli and transfer it to a bowl of iced water to shock it. Let your broccoli drain and dry before adding any additional ingredients.

How to Store Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The dressing will continue to blend in the fridge and the salad will become more flavorful after an hour.

How Long Does Broccoli Salad Last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, broccoli salad will stay fresh for three to four days.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Great recipe! I followed the recipe exactly and found that my personal preference was to use half the amount of red onion. My family loves this salad. It is sweet, but my family likes sweet. Even my granddaughter likes it! So, she gets her veggies," says kimberlyk.

"So, so good! I actually like broccoli now! I made this recipe EXACTLY as stated and it is PERFECT as written. Make it a day ahead because the flavors need to blend and it is a lot better the second day. The recipe does not need any changes," raves SquirrellyGirly.

"This recipe was a breeze compared to other recipes I looked at and it is super delicious!! I had to triple it for a crowd and was a little tedious cutting up all that broccoli and cooking all that bacon but...it was worth it!! I did add sharp Cheddar cubes," according to Dana Cominsky.

Editorial contributions by Bailey Fink

Ingredients

• ½ pound bacon

• 2 heads fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 small red onion, sliced into bite-sized pieces

• ¾ cup raisins

• ¾ cup sliced almonds

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• ½ cup white sugar

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1. Gather all ingredients.

   

2. Place bacon in a deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown, 7 to 10 minutes; drain, cool, and crumble.

   

3. Combine bacon, broccoli, onion, raisins, and almonds together in a bowl; mix well.

4. To prepare the dressing: Mix mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar together until smooth.

   

5. Stir into the salad.

   

6. Let chill before serving, if desired.

   

Nutrition Facts (per serving)