Broccoli Salad is a simple summer salad that is bursting with color and flavor. Fresh broccoli, crunchy sunflower seeds, sweet dried cranberries, pickled onions, and sharp cheese come together in a creamy and tangy sauce.

Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Prep this broccoli salad recipe the night before, and you are all set the day of. Grab from the fridge and spoon up one incredible salad. Perfect for potlucks, summer cookouts, and even weeknight dinners.

We are a veggie-loving family. From Traeger Grilled Vegetables to Pickled Asparagus, when spring hits and produce is at its prime, we dive head first into the produce aisle and get cooking. 

Broccoli Salad is one of those things I always loved when it was served at a party or holiday, but I hadn’t actually made it myself.

I can’t believe I waited this long. You and your family are going to love this simple salad.

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Broccoli Salad shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Broccoli
• Sunflower seeds
• Bacon
• Dried cranberries
• Pickled red onions
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Mayo
• Sour cream
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar
• Mustard
• Salt

Try our Homemade Potato Salad too!

How to make homemade Broccoli Salad

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Salad FAQ

How to make broccoli salad sauce

The sauce that is in this broccoli salad is quick and easy. You might even have all the ingredients in your fridge and pantry already.

Mix your mayo, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and mustard. Once it is creamy and combined, pour the sauce over your broccoli and other ingredients and stir well.

This broccoli salad recipe is one of the easiest out there. The hardest part is allowing it to sit overnight to marinate the flavors!

Can this dish be made in advance?

Yup! It can be made a day in advance, but I wouldn’t make it much more than that. The broccoli will lose its crunch.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What main dishes work well with this broccoli salad recipe?

1. Traeger Grilled Chicken Legs | These chicken legs are exactly what I want to pair with my broccoli salad. Bold in flavor but easy to make. Juicy and flavorful chicken cooked right on your wood pellet grill.
2. Smoked Brisket | I love smoked brisket, if I could, I would eat it every night of the week. I think the rich smokey flavor in the brisket gets lightened up with this crisp and chilled salad.
3. Pulled Pork | Here is another satisfying dinner or lunch idea that pairs nicely with cold salads like this recipe. Grab your favorite bbq sauce and dive in.

What can you substitute for sunflower seeds?

If you don’t want to use sunflower seeds, you can skip them, or if you want to try some pumpkin seeds or nuts, that works well too. Just make sure you let your guests know if you make that substitution in case there are people with allergies present.

What cheese works best for broccoli salad?

I always suggest buying block cheese and hand shredding it. You will get a richer and cheesier taste that will really add flavor to your salad.

Large thick shreds work best for a salad with dressing.

Should you blanch the broccoli before tossing it?

Some people prefer to blanch the broccoli for a more tender texture. I have never blanched the broccoli for broccoli salad because I love the flavor of raw broccoli, and I also love to keep the crunch.

If you do decide to blanch the broccoli, bring a pot of water to a boil and add in some salt. Toss your broccoli into the boiling water for less than 60 seconds. Drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.

You can also roast the broccoli in the pellet grill if you want to add a little smokey flavor.

Tips for making the best broccoli salad

1. Make sure that you use quality produce. Fresh produce will give you a better-tasting salad. Stay away from the pre-cut bagged veggies and just buy whole heads of broccoli and chop it yourself.
2. Take your time when prepping your vegetables. Try to cut the produce evenly. Wash it well before cutting!
3. Grab that whisk and whip that dressing well. Having a creamy dressing to pour over your veggies is key. You will get an evenly flavored salad. The flavors won’t be even if you don’t mix in a bowl separately.

Blackstone Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Easy ways to lighten up broccoli salad

• Reach for a lower-calorie mayo, or use one that has olive oil in it.
• Swap half of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
• Skip the dried fruit; it will take some sweetness away but reduce the sugar count.

Try our Traeger Smoked Salmon

What are some easy ways to lighten up broccoli salad?

• Use light mayo.
• Swap half of the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
• Reduce the amount of dried fruit. It will take some sweetness away but reduce the sugar count.