Classic broccoli salad is made with fresh broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds, red onion and crispy bacon tossed in a creamy  homemade dressing.

Classic Broccoli Salad

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

This flavorful and super easy to make classic broccoli salad is sure to be a hit at your next get together.

Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables and I’m always looking for new and delicious ways to serve it. This salad is perfect!

This is one of those recipes that requires very little effort, which is wonderful if you’re making it for a party or any kind of party or get together. Because let’s face it, hosting can’t get hectic and there are lots of other things to take care of.

It’s best when left in the fridge for at least an hour after making it, but I like to put it together ?a day ahead of company coming over to let the flavors really blend together and take one less thing off my plate. ?

Not only do the flavors go together so perfectly, but it looks gorgeous, too. I love the way all of the colors complement each other.

We usually serve this salad in the summer, but it is absolutely delicious all year-round.

As a matter of fact, I’ve served this for many Easter’s and it’s one of the first things to go every time.

You and your guest will love combination of fresh broccoli with the crispy, bacon, sweet cranberries, crunchy sunflower seeds, and creamy dressing.

It is a guaranteed hit. I’m very confident people who don’t even like broccoli normally maybe swayed by this recipe. ?

I hope you give this recipe a try. I know if you do you love it just as much as my family and friends do. ?

Fast. Simple. Delicious.

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Classic Broccoli Salad Variation

I like this salad recipe made just the way it is, but here are some ways to change it up if you’d like to.

• Broccoli- Raw broccoli can be used instead of blacked if you’d prefer.
• Cheese- feel free to add a little hand shredded cheddar cheese to the salad
• Bacon- I used bacon bits to make my life easier but you can absolutely cook and crumble your own bacon if you'd like to . Try my fool proof Baked Bacon Method for a splatter free experience.

Other Easy Broccoli Recipes

If you like super easy to make recipes using broccoli, here are some others that I know you’ll love, too.

• Roasted Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• One Pot Creamy Broccoli Pasta
• Beef & Broccoli
• Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Classic Broccoli Salad Ingredients

• Broccoli Heads cut into bite sized florets
• Dried Cranberries
• Sunflower Seeds
• Bacon Bits
• Minced Red Onion
• Mayonnaise
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

First, blanch the broccoli by boiling it in water for three minutes, placing it into an ice bath and drying it on a dish towel.

Then, place the broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds and bacon bits into a large bowl.

Next, in a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

Now, pour it over the broccoli salad.

Then, gently toss the salad until it’s evenly coated in the dressing.

Next, place it into the refrigerator for at least one hour to let all of the flavors blend together.

Finally, toss everything together one final time, serve cold and enjoy!