Easy Broccoli Salad

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Easy Broccoli Salad – fresh broccoli florets, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, red onion and celery tossed in a light creamy dressing, perfect for holidays and potlucks.

Broccoli can be turned into many delicious dishes, like this salad. You may also like my  Roasted Broccoli and my Creamy Broccoli with Bacon.

EASY BROCCOLI SALAD

Creamy Broccoli Salad with dried cranberries, bacon, almonds, red onion and celery is one of our favorite dishes made with this green vegetable. It’s easy, delicious and perfect for holiday dinners (especially when you are assigned with bringing a side dish), weekend dinners, summer BBQ and potlucks. You will love the creamy dressing that is not loaded with mayo but lightened up with natural sour cream and honey in place of sugar. You can make this salad in advance and chill until ready to serve.

Easy Broccoli Salad Ingredients (your shopping list):

• fresh broccoli
• dried cranberries or raisins
• slivered almonds
• red onion
• celery
• bacon
• mayonnaise
• sour cream
• apple cider vinegar
• lemon juice
• honey
• salt and pepper

How to make the Best Broccoli Salad?

• Cut fresh broccoli head into florets. Slice the big florets in half, to make each piece bite size.
• Chop red onion and celery.
• Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Add dried cranberries or raisins and slivered almonds.
• Next, make the dressing. In a measuring cup, whisk together natural sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and dried dill, if desired.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.

How to make Broccoli Salad without mayo?

Mayonnaise dressing is the classic option for a broccoli salad. However, it is quite simple to skip it and still make a creamy dressing. Use natural sour cream or Greek yogurt as they have a creamy consistency and are not as thick as regular sour cream. Add lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, honey and salt and pepper. You can also decrease the amount of mayo to 2 tablespoons (like I did in this recipe) and use mostly natural sour cream.

How long does Broccoli Salad last in the fridge?

If you have leftovers of this salad (as in the dressing is mixed in with the veggies), you can keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days. If keeping the salad and dressing separately, it will last up to 4 days.

Can Broccoli Salad be made a day ahead?

Absolutely! Save time and make the salad and the dressing and keep both separate and mix in until ready to serve OR toss it all together, cover the salad bowl with saran wrap and chill to serve the next day. My Hubby likes when the salad has the time to chill and the flavors mix together before eating.

How to make Broccoli Salad healthy?

There are a few ingredient substitutions that you can make to turn a classic broccoli salad healthier. Use natural sour cream instead of mayonnaise, honey instead of sugar and turkey bacon in place of regular bacon.

More Salad Recipes:

• Greek Salmon Salad
• Avocado Tuna Salad
• Black Bean Taco Salad
• Perfect Caesar Salad

For more recipes, browse our Salad category.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

5 from 7 votes

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Easy Broccoli Salad

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

Fresh broccoli florets, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, red onion and celery tossed in light creamy dressing, perfect for holidays and potlucks.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: broccoli salad

Servings: 5 people

Calories: 233 kcal

Author: Anna

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1/2 medium red onion
• 3 celery ribs
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2 slices bacon I used turkey

!for the dressing:

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup natural sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Chop bacon and cook in skillet until crispy. Remove from skillet onto paper towel lined plate to grain grease. 

2. Place broccoli florets, chopped red onion, chopped celery, almonds and dried cranberries in a large bowl. Add bacon.

3. In a measuring cup, whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss gently to coat.

Recipe Notes

• If you don't have dried cranberries, use raisins. If you don't have or like celery, use Granny Smith apple. If you don't have natural sour cream on hand, you can use store-bought Ranch dressing.
• To make ahead: store salad and dressing separate. It will last up to 4 days in the fridge. If you have leftovers: store in a bowl, covered with saran wrap, up to 2 days in the fridge.
• I used turkey bacon because it's lower in fat than regular bacon. Chopping it before cooking saves on time. You can use regular bacon, if desired. 
• Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Broccoli Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 233 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 9mg3%

Sodium 378mg16%

Potassium 430mg12%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 560IU11%

Vitamin C 68.8mg83%

Calcium 97mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe was originally published on March 21st, 2018 and updated on October 17th, 2019.