This is the best Broccoli Salad recipe! It’s sweet, creamy and crunchy with fresh broccoli, homemade dressing and lots of bacon!
Here’s an amazing broccoli salad recipe that will blow your mind! What sets this one apart? Homemade dressing! All the bacon! No raisins! Or craisins! My Mom’s recipe! Did I mention, all the bacon!?
It’s one of the better fail-proof recipes I have in my custody that I am in LOVE with. So I thought I’d share it today with all of you wonderful readers. It’s easy, has a good crunch factor, has the right broccoli to bacon ratio plus that sweet dressing turns otherwise unassuming gross broccoli into magic.
Broccoli Salad Recipe Ingredients
Broccoli Florets – The main ingredient of this salad. You can buy whole broccoli crowns or buy pre-cut broccoli. Either way, the most important thing is to cut them into bite size pieces.
Red Onion – This adds a nice spiciness to contrast the sweet and salty.
Celery – Brings an essential fresh crunch.
Sunflower Seeds – Little bursts of nutty flavor found in every bite.
BACON – Salty bacon goodness belongs in any salad recipe if you ask me. Feel free to double this part of the salad 😉
Raisins or Craisins – Ok, these are totally optional. BUT if you do use them, they bring a chewy sweet flavor to the whole salad.
Homemade Dressing – You can find this tangy-sweet dressing recipe below. It’s basically the perfect pairing for this broccoli salad.
If broccoli salad isn’t your thing, try these other tasty salads you’re sure to love: macaroni salad, cucumber salad, classic coleslaw or southwest chicken chop salad.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Chop all the vegetables making sure to cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces. Cook bacon according to your liking and cut up into small pieces, or you could buy bacon bits.
The best part about this salad is you can chop all the veggies, store it in your fridge and add the dressing right before serving. It’s a definite crowd pleaser and is fabulous for holidays and potlucks.
Below is the printable recipe card!
Have a great day and enjoy, friends!
Broccoli Salad
This is the best Broccoli Salad recipe because it's straight from my Mom! It's sweet, creamy and crunchy with fresh broccoli, homemade dressing and lots of bacon!
Ingredients
- 8 cups fresh broccoli florets bite size
- 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup raisins** or craisins
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups real mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Chop all the vegetables making sure to cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces. Cook bacon according to your liking and cut up into small pieces, or you could buy bacon bits.
- Place all salad ingredients into a large bowl and set aside.
- In a smaller bowl, mix dressing ingredients together to combine. Pour over salad and toss. Serve or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
*Recipe made according to my liking, but you are free to change and modify to meet your wants!
**I don't add these to my salad because I think they should be illegal in broccoli salads, but I know a lot of people do like them added in, so feel free to add it in.
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
I happen to LOVE broccoli and broccoli salad is delightful. When we lived in the city and would have dinners at Sweet Tomatoes (boys favorite spot….so many choices) I always put a couple of scoops of their broccoli salad on my plate.
Yummy.
Cindy W says
The craisins are really good in it. I agree on the raisins though. I use red wine vinegar in mine. I’ll have to try adding celery next time.
PJ Aringdale says
Love craisins they are delish…raisins too. I always put which ever I have on hand. It is a wonderful blend of flavors and textures for sure!
ChristyK says
Thanks for the recipe! Had some broccoli salad at a luncheon the other day and was looking for a recipe. Yum!!!!
PJ Aringdale says
Just looking at the picture makes me hungry for some. Thanks for posting such beautiful pictures. We love broccoli salad at our house too. I use sliced almonds in mine, not sunflower seeds and yes love the raisins. I don’t care for celery much so I would omit that.
shirley says
I have been making this for years. Who is your mother?
Annie S says
One of my family’s all time favorites! Your broccoli salad is pretty identical to mine, with a couple small changes I’ve made over the years…
rather than raisins, I use fresh organic grapes, halved if they are large , and I frequently use walnuts or pecans rather than sunflower seeds as both are very tasty in it. I use about half that amount of dressing, made with a blend of mayo and unsweetened yogurt.
Thanks for a great recipe!
Kathy Evans says
I like Annie’s idea – half mayo half yoghurt. I think most or all of the sugar could be left out. Looks like a delicious recipe.
Sarah says
Craisins yes raisins not a chance. Also use red wine vinegar. Makes a big difference. And add shredded cheese. Mmmm. One of our favs
Karly says
Making this for Mother’s Day! Will I ruin it by adding shredded cheddar? I kind of add shredded cheddar to everything. 😉
Theresa keeling. says
I add sharp cheddar cheese. And shredded carrot
Julio Gonzalez says
I use heavy cream instead of mayonnaise (find the mayo too heavy) and always use craisins! This has become a favorite at every gathering, even with those who don’t like broccoli!
chris says
Double the bacon!
Elizabeth says
I am probably around your mom’s age, and this recipe has been a staple since before by now 34 year old was born. Good things last forever, I think. I find the slight differences in recipes to be interesting…like you, definitely no raisins, but sliced mushrooms have always been there.
Marcy says
We’ve loved this salad for decades but always, always add shredded cheddar cheese to the ingredients 🙂
Karen Laing says
Absolutely delicious. Has been requested from my family to be made again and again!! Thanks for sharing!!
kel says
Wow! I put all this in mine except for the raisins too! Thanks for posting this as I don’t have an exact recipe.
Doreen Obrien says
This salad is a huge hit. I bring it to family parties and everyone loves it.
Marianne says
Your last comment said you think these should be illegal to add to the broccoli salad but what are you referring to?
Kellie B says
This is one of my favorite side dishes for summer!
Mare T. says
My Mom would make this often. My three brothers’ Dad and I loved it. Made it for my Hubby, he loved it and said, “you can make this again,,anytime”. I will.
Billi Kavanagh says
I love broccoli and can’t wait to try this salad:)
Wendy says
I’m with you, Lauren. No raisins OR craisins but love the idea of doubling the bacon and adding shredded cheese!
Loretta Meyer says
I made this today it was delcious! Will be making it again for Easter dinner at a family gathering.
Teresa says
I made this on Saturday night for our Easter dinner. I couldn’t wait to eat it and it was worth the wait. It was delicious. I did add the rasisins and some shredded carrot that I had after making your carrot cupcakes. This will be made again.
Lauren says
So glad you liked it!!
Alicia says
You make so many yummy foods. I will be trying some this fall.
Bryn says
Made this last weekend and it was delicious! Loved the sunflower seeds
Carrie Monts says
Oh I love broccoli salad and this one is just different enough that I HAVE to try it! All the ingredients made the shopping list!
Laketa Mitchel says
I’ve been looking for the “good” version of this recipe and so happy to have found it! Thanks for posting.
Irene says
My daughter loves it!
Sara O’Leary says
THis will be so yummy at cookouts and tailgates! Thanks!!!
Wendy belle says
Can’t wait to try this recipe!!!!
Stacy says
This is by far the best broccoli salad recipe I’ve seen!! Yumm
Edie Daniel says
I love broccoli salad! This looks amazing. 🙂 I can’t do the sunflower seeds, but the rest looks delicious.
Deanna Oda says
I’m going to try and eat healthier starting with this salad. Always loved broccoli but hardly eat it.
Deborah W. says
This recipe is one of my favorites. I am now vegetarian so I’d skip the bacon but it is still an amazing salad. Yum!
Kathryn Wolff says
So many varieties of this special salad! We add the onion and raisins (Craisins) to the mayo mixture and let it set up over night – plumps the raisins
Yvonne says
This is truly one of my favorites; my brother makes it and sometimes adds cauliflower!