Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

This broccoli salad is the one you’ll make again and again. It’s creamy, crunchy, a little sweet, and so satisfying that even people who swear they don’t like broccoli end up asking for seconds. I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to perfection, and it checks all the boxes for busy weeknights, potlucks, or holiday spreads.

I’ve created the dressing so that it’s creamy and rich without being heavy, and the balance of textures and flavors is just right. Trust me, once you try my version, no other broccoli salad will compare.

What Makes My Broccoli Salad Stand Out

• Perfectly balanced flavors – The creamy dressing with just a hint of lemon and a touch of sweetness makes the broccoli shine without overpowering it.
• No cooking required – This salad comes together quickly with zero time at the stove or oven, making it ideal for busy days or hot summer nights.
• Incredible texture – The mix of crunchy broccoli, chewy raisins, and crisp sunflower seeds means every bite is interesting and satisfying.

Ingredients for Broccoli Salad

• Broccoli – Use broccoli crowns in the produce section rather than whole broccoli with the stem if possible – saves time and money.
• Red Onion – Red onion adds color to the salad. When picking an onion look for one without black spots (a sign that it is going bad) or mushy spots. Pick a firm onion when you give it a squeeze. 
• Sunflower Seeds – Sunflower seeds add some saltiness to this broccoli salad.
• Sultana Raisins – Sultana raisins, more commonly known as golden raisins are the perfect addition to this broccoli salad.
• Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise is the base of this broccoli salad dressing and adds a creamy texture.
• Heavy Cream – Heavy cream is a great compliment to the mayonnaise.
• Sugar – Just a touch of sugar will help bind the dressing together with a bit of sweetness. 
• Lemon – I love the added lemon flavor in this broccoli salad. It gives it a little bit of pop.
• Salt and Pepper – With just a little bit of salt and pepper it ties all these broccoli salad ingredients together. 

How to Make Broccoli Salad

Making broccoli salad is really quite simple. I love to let the kids help me with this simple recipe.

1. Wash and dry your broccoli crowns. 
2. Once washed, cut off all the broccoli florets and cut them into bite-size pieces. Add these to a large mixing bowl.
3. Chop the red onion and add to your large mixing bowl as well. 
4. Add the raisins and sunflower seeds. 
5. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, heavy cream, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth. 
6. Top the broccoli and other ingredients with dressing and stir until combined. 
7. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight before serving.

Do You Cook Broccoli for Broccoli Salad?

Typically broccoli salad uses raw broccoli florets that have been chopped. The dressing soaks in nicely into the broccoli which helps break down the broccoli a little bit. The smaller you chop your broccoli, the more it will break down.

If you are not a fan of raw broccoli you can blanch the broccoli. Just add them to a pot of boiling water for about 1 minute and then quickly remove them and put them in an ice bath to stop them from cooking. Drain the broccoli really well before making your broccoli salad. 

How Do You Cut the Broccoli?

Once the broccoli is washed you’ll want to cut off the thick stem of the broccoli, or the “trunk.” Then cut off all the broccoli florets and chop the florets into bite-sized pieces. You want to try and keep the pieces about the same size. 

Can I Use a Different Nut or Seed for this Broccoli Salad?

There are so many different options when it comes to nuts and seeds for this salad recipe. I love sunflower seeds, but you can really use any nut or seed that you prefer. Slivered almonds are a popular alternative to sunflower seeds in broccoli salad. 

Can I Make Broccoli Salad Without Mayonnaise?

The main component of the broccoli salad dressing is mayonnaise, but if you would like to use something other than mayonnaise you can swap it out for sour cream or greek yogurt. This will alter the flavor and the texture a bit so just be sure to get the desired flavor of the dressing prior to adding it to the salad. 

What Can I Add to this Broccoli Salad?

I love this easy broccoli salad recipe exactly how it is, but there are so many great things you can add to this broccoli salad. Try adding:

• Crisp bacon, copped into small pieces
• Cheddar cheese
• Granny smith apples, copped into small pieces
• Raisins / Craisins
• Grapes, sliced in half

How Long Does Broccoli Salad Last in the Fridge?

If you have leftover broccoli salad you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days. 

More Great Side Dishes

• Instant pot Corn on the Cob
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
• Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad

Broccoli Salad

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Ingredients

  

• ▢ 2 Heads Broccoli
• ▢ ⅓ cup of Chopped Red Onion
• ▢ ¼ cup sunflower Seeds unsalted
• ▢ ⅓ cup Sultana or golden raisins
• ▢ 1 cup Mayonnaise
• ▢ ¼ cup heavy cream
• ▢ 1 tsp sugar
• ▢ Juice of ½ a lemon
• ▢ Pinch of salt & pepper

Instructions

• -Slice off all the broccoli florets and make sure they’re in bite-sized pieces. Add them to a large mixing bowl along with the chopped red onion, raisins & sunflower seeds.
  2 Heads Broccoli, ⅓ cup of Chopped Red Onion, ⅓ cup Sultana or golden raisins, ¼ cup sunflower Seeds
• -To make the dressing, combine mayonnaise, heavy cream, sugar, lemon juice and salt & pepper in a small bowl and whisk together until smooth.
  1 cup Mayonnaise, ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 tsp sugar, Juice of ½ a lemon, Pinch of salt & pepper
• -Add the dressing to the mixing bowl and stir until everything is well combined.
• -Refrigerate overnight and enjoy!

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