Broccoli Salad

On a table of BBQ side dishes, broccoli salad is king of the spread. It's a flavor and texture smorgasbord with crunchy broccoli, smoky almonds, salty bacon, sweet and chewy dried cranberries, and a zippy, creamy dressing coating the whole thing. All you have to do is chop and stir, and you're well on your way to serving everyone's favorite summer side. The best part is, it's a make-ahead dish! Toss it together days before your next potluck or holiday meal. You'll be glad you did! Get more broccoli recipes and delicious lettuce-free salads here.

What's in broccoli salad?

Broccoli salad is the best because there's no cooking involved. Fresh broccoli is cut into small florets and tossed with a simple mayonnaise-based dressing. But it's the stir-ins that make it super fun: dried cranberries, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy smoked almonds. Yes, smoked almonds! Haven't tried them yet? They have a rich salty-smoky flavor and a nice crunch.

What can you use instead of smoked almonds?

You can substitute any roasted salted nut or seed in this salad. Salted sunflower seeds are a popular addition to broccoli salad.

Can you use Greek yogurt in the dressing?

Yes, for a lighter, healthier dressing, you can swap out some of the mayo for Greek yogurt! Instead of 1 cup of mayonnaise, use 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt along with 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. All of the other dressing ingredients can remain the same.

Is broccoli salad sweet?

It's subtly sweet, but this is no dessert "salad." (We're looking at you, strawberry pretzel salad.) There's a touch of sugar in the dressing and the dried cranberries tossed in add another layer of sweetness, but don't worry: there's plenty of savory, salty, smoky flavor in there too to balance it all out.

How much broccoli should you buy for broccoli salad?

This recipe calls for eight cups of florets. If you're buying heads or "crowns" of broccoli, that comes out to about four crowns, or about two pounds of untrimmed broccoli (stalks still intact). Be sure to cut the broccoli into small florets for this salad—about 1-inch pieces are best.

Do you have to blanch broccoli for broccoli salad?

Nope! You want the broccoli to be nice and crunchy for this salad, so no blanching is needed! Plus, the broccoli is cut into small, bite-sized florets, so even the tougher pieces are easy to chew.

Can broccoli salad be made ahead?

Absolutely! It's best after resting for about an hour in the fridge, and it keeps well for about three days if covered. To make a few days ahead, consider holding off on adding the cheese, bacon, and almonds, and stir them in just before serving to keep them from getting too soggy.

How long can broccoli salad sit out?

This side salad shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours at a time, or 1 hour if it's 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep it in the fridge or tucked into your cooler anytime you're not serving it.

What do you serve with broccoli salad?

It's a fresh, crunchy side dish that's perfect for any spring or summer potluck. Bring it to the neighbor's backyard cookout to enjoy with burgers and hot dogs, or with barbecue food. Broccoli salad also plays well with Easter ham and all the traditional Easter sides.