Easy Broccoli Salad

Fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor, Easy Broccoli Salad is a classic side dish for cookouts, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. With its mix of crisp broccoli, salty bacon, sweet cranberries, and a creamy dressing, this salad disappears fast every time it’s served. The best part? Even picky eaters happily enjoy their veggies with this dish!

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 5–6 cups broccoli florets

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (thick-shredded, not fine)

• ⅔ cup dried cranberries

• ½ cup crumbled crispy bacon

• ½ cup salted sunflower seeds

• ⅓ cup red onion, diced small

For the Dressing

• ¾ cup mayonnaise (olive oil mayo works well)

• ¼ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

• 1 ½ Tbsp white wine vinegar (or red wine, champagne, or apple cider vinegar)

• 3 Tbsp sugar

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Make the Salad Base
   In a large mixing bowl, combine broccoli, cheddar, cranberries, bacon, sunflower seeds, and red onion.

2. Whisk the Dressing
   In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.

3. Combine & Chill
   Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss well until everything is coated.

4. Refrigerate for Best Flavor
   Serve immediately, or chill for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Toss again before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Raw vs. Blanched Broccoli – Use raw florets for crunch, or blanch for 60 seconds in boiling water, then cool and dry well.

• Bacon Options – Homemade bacon adds the best flavor, but pre-cooked real bacon crumbles work too.

• Lighter Swap – Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier, lighter dressing.

• Nutty Twist – Swap sunflower seeds with chopped almonds or pecans for variation.

 Serving Ideas

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, BBQ ribs, fried chicken, or even sandwiches. Serve it chilled straight from the fridge for maximum crunch and flavor!