Description
This classic Broccoli Salad is the perfect summer potluck side dish, combining fresh broccoli florets with chewy raisins, crunchy pecans, crispy bacon, and sunflower seeds all tossed in a creamy and tangy homemade dressing. Quick to prepare with no cooking required for the veggies, it’s a refreshing and flavorful salad that appeals to a wide range of tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise (olive oil based mayo recommended)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Salad
- 1 (12 oz) package bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2 pounds broccoli, chopped into small bite-sized pieces (about 2 – 3 heads)
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- ¾ cup raisins
- ¼ cup shelled sunflower seeds
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a creamy and tangy dressing base.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooked and crumbled bacon, chopped broccoli florets, finely diced red onion, raisins, sunflower seeds, and chopped pecans into the bowl with the dressing.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until they are evenly coated with the dressing and well incorporated, ensuring every bite has balanced flavors and texture.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to let the flavors meld and the dressing slightly thicken, enhancing the overall taste.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Before serving, taste the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary; then enjoy this refreshing and crunchy broccoli salad as a side dish at your summer gatherings.
Notes
- For the best texture, remove most of the broccoli stems and chop the florets into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Nutritional information is calculated using light mayonnaise.
- Store the salad in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; it is not suitable for room temperature or freezing storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: broccoli, fresh, summer, salad, potluck, side dish
