This easy broccoli salad will have everyone coming back for one more scoop. Crunchy broccoli florets, smoky bacon, sweet Craisins, the crunch of nuts and sunflower seeds, and cheese are combined with a creamy mayonnaise and BBQ sauce dressing to create a creamy, crunchy, zesty dish you’ll love.
With summer here, we’re in full backyard party mode. We love all the classic options, such as hot honey-smoked ribs, brisket, or grilled meats. They’re even better when paired with delicious summer sides like this classic potato salad.
Our sides range from creamy dishes to zesty finger foods, such as jalapeno popper pigs in a blanket. It’s incredibly fun (and delicious) to get creative with flavors and textures.
Now, we’re adding another side to our summer rotation that combines a variety of flavors and textures in every bite. This easy broccoli salad is creamy, tangy, and crunchy, with tons of flavor but very little work!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Basic Ingredients: This recipe uses basic ingredients found in any grocery store or in your kitchen.
- Easy: Just mix everything together and chill it before serving. That’s all there is to it!
- Tons of Flavor and Texture: The ingredients combine to make every bite crunchy, creamy, zesty, and sweet.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: This is the perfect side dish for everything from backyard parties to potlucks.
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Variations
- Craisins: Feel free to use other dried fruits like raisins, cherries, or blueberries. Chopped apples would also work well.
- Cheese: Cheddar, Cheddar Jack, Monterey Jack, and the like all work for this recipe.
- Red Onions: Use yellow or white onions for a mellower flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: Your favorite BBQ sauce will work. Each variety adds its own spin to the salad’s flavor.
- Chopped Pecans: Walnuts, almonds, or pistachios all give the salad a slightly different flavor.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Broccoli: Try a combination of broccoli and cauliflower for more flavor and big crunch.
How to Make Easy Broccoli Salad
- Step 1: Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Cover and chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Tips
- Chop the broccoli florets along the bottom to create smaller florets that retain their pretty crown.
- Use a folding motion to mix the salad. This helps keep the broccoli floret heads intact.
- Roma tomatoes should always be your first choice. They have more flesh and fewer seeds, making them ideal for this salad.
- You can peel and dice the stems to add more crunch to your salad.
Easy Broccoli Salad FAQ
Traditional broccoli salad dressing is usually made with mayonnaise and white or cider vinegar. However, there are many variations. This easy broccoli salad uses mayo and BBQ sauce to create a rich, creamy, and tangy dressing.
No. Some people par-cook broccoli before adding it to a traditional salad. However, broccoli should be raw for this easy broccoli salad. You want all that great crunch!
To cut broccoli for broccoli salad, separate the florets from the head. Then, cut the larger florets into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
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Easy Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups broccoli florets
- 8 strips bacon, cooked, crispy, crumbled
- ½ cup craisins
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, small cubes
- 3 roma tomatoes, diced
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup red onions, diced
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir all the salad ingredients together until combined.
- In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients together and add to broccoli mixture. Stir to coat.
- Cover and place in the fridge to chill.
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Freezing is not recommended.
- Chop the broccoli florets along the bottom to create smaller florets that retain their pretty crown.
- Use a folding motion to mix the salad. This helps keep the broccoli floret heads intact.
- Roma tomatoes should always be your first choice. They have more flesh and fewer seeds, making them ideal for this salad.
- You can peel and dice the stems to add more crunch to your salad.
This is a really good recipe. I’ve never had broccoli salad like this before but we all loved it. Will make it again.
Really good stuff! I like the addition of BBQ sauce. It gave it a nice, tangy twist while keeping the spirit of old-school broccoli salad.
This is probably the best broccoli salad I’ve ever had. The BBQ sauce is a nice touch.
This broccoli salad looks so vibrant and crisp! I love recipes that are quick to pull together but don’t compromise on flavor. It’s the perfect healthy addition to a weeknight dinner or a weekend potluck!