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Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 113 reviews

This Best Broccoli Salad is a delightful combination of tender-crisp broccoli, shredded carrots, red onion, crispy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sliced almonds, all tossed in a tangy and creamy apple cider vinegar dressing. It’s a perfect side dish for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 3 heads broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 carrots, shredded
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the broccoli: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and generously season with kosher salt. Have a large bowl filled with ice water ready.
  2. Blanch the broccoli: Cook the broccoli pieces in the boiling salted water until fork-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the broccoli immediately to the bowl with ice water to cool and stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain thoroughly.
  3. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled broccoli along with shredded carrots, thinly sliced red onions, crumbled cooked bacon, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds. Gently toss to mix.
  4. Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Pour this creamy dressing over the salad and stir everything together until well coated.

Notes

  • Blanching the broccoli helps maintain its bright color and crisp texture.
  • Feel free to substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries for variation.
  • For a lighter version, Greek yogurt can be used in place of mayonnaise.
  • Make the salad ahead of time and refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors meld.
  • Add freshly chopped herbs like parsley or dill for added freshness.

Keywords: broccoli salad, broccoli recipe, healthy salad, picnic salad, easy side dish, bacon broccoli salad

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/best-broccoli-salad-recipe/