Broccoli Salad Recipe

Broccoli Salad Recipe is one of the recipes we frequently serve at barbecues and potlucks for our family.  We also adore simple side dish ideas like the Best Potluck Pasta Salad and my Fail-Proof Roasted Corn on the Cob.  One of my side dishes that you'll want to stock up on is this one.

Everyone has their own preferred method of preparing broccoli salad, which is a fairly common side dish during the Spring and Summer.

In my version, strong cheddar cheese cubes are used in place of shredded cheese, along with dried cranberries, sliced almonds, roasted sunflower seeds (but pumpkin seeds would be delicious as well), and a lightened-up creamy citrus poppyseed sauce.

This broccoli salad has fantastic flavors and textures that elegantly complement one another in every bite!

When we got together, my Grandma would usually cook a fantastic broccoli salad, which quickly became one of my favorite side dishes.

This isn't her recipe, but it's based on it, with a little extra crunch and a lemony dressing twist!

Broccoli Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups fresh broccoli, cut into small florets about 2 heads of broccoli
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries (reduced sugar would work too)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup roasted sunflower seeds
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into very small cubes (or shredded if you prefer)

Creamy citrus poppyseed dressing

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• zest of 1 small lemon
• zest of 1/2 orange
• 1-2 Tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
• 1/2 Tbsp poppy seeds
• pinch of black pepper

Instructions

1. Water is being heated in a pot.  Broccoli should be chopped into tiny florets, then placed aside.  A big dish should be filled with ice cubes and cold water.
2. Broccoli is added to boiling water along with a healthy teaspoon of salt.  a 20 second boil.  Broccoli should be drained and placed in a bowl with ice water.  Allow broccoli to chill in cold water for a few minutes.  Broccoli should be drained and spread out on some paper towels to dry.  While you prepare the remaining ingredients for the dish, let the item finish air drying.
3. Red onion that has been finely diced should be added to a small basin of cold water. After 5 minutes, drain.  The raw onion loses some of its "bite" as a result.
4. Add the ingredients for the poppyseed dressing to a small mixing bowl, and stir to combine.  Place aside.
5. Dried broccoli florets, bacon, drained raw onion, cranberries, almonds, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese should all be combined in a sizable mixing basin.  Add citrus poppyseed dressing; start with roughly half the amount and add more as desired.  
6. For at least 30 minutes, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.  Throw and plate.