This is the best Broccoli Salad recipe because it’s straight from my Mom! It’s sweet, creamy and crunchy with fresh broccoli, sunflower seeds, homemade dressing and lots of bacon! Just the way broccoli salad was intended to be!
My babysitter totally called me out on not cleaning out my fridge for MONTHS yesterday. Since my husband has been gone, she has been a weekly visitor in my home. This girl has single handedly kept me sane. Anyways, back to the topic at hand:
“You know that chicken and rice at the back of your fridge? Yeah, its been in there a while. Like months”
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I know, I know. I’m disgusting. What else is new?
There are certain things I just don’t get around to doing because my better half is 3,000 miles away and cleaning out the fridge is one of them.
Physically getting down on my hands and knees and scrubbing my kitchen floor is the other…and you know what? Since we’re on the topic, I don’t typically get around to hanging up my clean clothes in my closet either. There are only so many hours in the day and HGTV won’t watch itself.
{I’m kidding Mom.}
I have two kids who are incapable of playing alone or with each other, so clearly I’m their only option.
So I’ll be booking some house cleaners to come clean out my fridge. And wash my floors. Or, I’ll just wait until my husband comes home and make him do it.
Mwahahahaha.
ANYWAYS.
Here’s a broccoli salad recipe to add to the millions of others of broccoli salad recipes you can find online.
What sets this one apart? Homemade dressing! All the bacon! No raisins! Or craisins! My Mom’s recipe! 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.
Printable recipe below! Have a lovely day, friends.
Mom's Broccoli Salad
Prep
Total
Yield 6-8 servings
This is the best Broccoli Salad recipe because it's straight from my Mom! It's sweet, creamy and crunchy with fresh broccoli, sunflower seeds, homemade dressing and lots of bacon! Just the way broccoli salad was intended to be!
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
- 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 refrigerator until ready to serve.
- **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.
*recipe modified to my liking
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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!
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!!