The Best Broccoli Salad

Get ready to fall in love with this Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon! Featuring Cranberries, Flaked Almonds & Feta, this really is simply the BEST Broccoli Salad Recipe!

Creamy Broccoli Salad

I know right, broccoli salad!? It’s a bit of an odd concept isn’t it? Raw broccoli isn’t something you often find yourself craving, I know I’d never thought of eating it before. But let me tell you, a raw broccoli salad is potentially now of of my all time favourite salads, and I’m confident it’s about to be yours too!

I was first introduced to broccoli salad at a restaurant a few years back and only really ordered it through curiosity. I just remember being blown away at how gorgeous raw broccoli tastes in a salad. That nice crunchy texture, wrapped in a creamy dressing. So much yum.

So, first things first, let’s talk dressing.

Creamy Broccoli Salad Dressing

• Sour Cream
• Mayo
• Sugar
• Lemon Juice
• Salt & Pepper

I like to keep it real simple with the dressing. No fancy ingredients, just the essentials. Some broccoli salad recipes use a vinaigrette, but I find a simple creamy dressing goes far more suitably!

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Sure can! If I’m doing the dressing in advance it’s usually good for 3-4days (longer at your discretion) tightly covered in the fridge.

Bacon Broccoli Salad

I mean realistically there was always going to be bacon in the salad wasn’t there? 🤣 Here’s what you’ll need for the best broccoli salad combo:

Best Broccoli Salad Ingredients

• Bacon
• Dried Cranberries
• Feta
• Flaked Almonds
• Red Onion

There’s so many awesome broccoli salad recipes out there, but for me those 5 ingredients give the most delicious combo. A broccoli salad with bacon for is already a winner, but add some sweet cranberries, an extra crunch from the almonds, some feta for a little added creaminess and a gentle tang from the red onion and you’re on to something special!

Broccoli Salad FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! I’ve tightly covered this in the fridge and eaten up to 3 days after (longer at your discretion). Just be aware if you’ve already made the dressing ahead of time that the shelf life might be slightly reduced. Also, the broccoli/almonds will ever so slightly soften, but the difference is small.

Do I have to cook broccoli for a broccoli salad?

Nope! The broccoli is completely raw, absolutely no need to cook the broccoli for a salad. It’s an odd concept munching on raw broccoli but I promise you it totally works in this context.

When to serve broccoli salad?

This is great for pot lock, bringing to BBQs or even as a side for a lunch or evening meal. I usually let it rest for an hour after making, just to let the flavours develop. The dressing will get soaked up, so just adjust as necessary when this happens.

If you’re looking for similar recipes to whip up then definitely check these out if you’ve got a sec:

Mega Summer Salads

• Leftover Chicken Salad
• Creamy Bacon Potato Salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Funky Broccoli Recipes

• Cheesy Broccoli Baked Potatoes
• Broccoli Pesto Pasta with Bacon
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese
• Broccoli Pasta Bake

Okay, let’s tuck into the full bacon broccoli salad recipe shall we!?

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How to make Broccoli Salad (Full Recipe & Video)

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Get ready to fall in love with this Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon! Featuring Cranberries, Flaked Almonds & Feta, this is the BEST Broccoli Salad Recipe.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer / Starter

Cuisine: Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 3

Calories: 556kcal

Author: Chris Collins

Cost per serving: £2 / $2.50

Equipment:

• Large Mixing Bowl & Spatula
• Small Mixing Bowl
• Frying Pan & tongs (for bacon)
• Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

Ingredients (check list):

• 1 large Broccoli, chopped into bitesized florets

Dressing

• 1/2 cup / 125g Sour Cream
• 1/2 cup / 125g Full Fat Mayo
• 1 tsp Sugar, or to taste
• 1/2 Lemon
• Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Fillings

• 4 rashers Streaky Bacon, cooked, cooled & chopped
• 1/3 cup / 45g Dried Cranberries
• 1/4 cup / 20g Flaked Almonds (see notes for subs)
• 1/4 cup / 30g Feta, crumbled
• 1 tbsp Red Onion, very finely diced

Instructions:

• Combine the ingredients for your dressing in a bowl and taste test for seasoning.
• In a larger bowl, combine your broccoli and fillings, then pour in your desired amount of dressing. The broccoli will begin to soak up the dressing, so just adjust accordingly when this happens.
• Serve up with an extra squeeze of lemon juice (optional). An hour in the fridge will help develop flavours if you have time.

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Dressing amounts - You most likely won't need all of the dressing. Broccoli tends to suck up liquid so it's difficult to predict how much dressing you'll need, especially if you don't serve it straight away. Eyeball to your desired consistency in the first instance, then adjust as needed when the broccoli absorbs some of it up.

b) Filling amounts - Feel free to use more/less of each ingredient, it really is all down to preference. However here I offer the measurements I personally feel offer the best balance of flavour.

c) Almonds Sub - Almonds can be subbed with any other nut (cashews and pecans work great). If you can't have nuts for whatever reason sunflower seeds can be used!

d) Make Ahead - I've made this ahead of time for up to 3 days in advance. Just tightly cover and store in the fridge. The broccoli will ever so slightly soften due to the dressing, but the difference is small.

e) Calories - based on using all of the dressing, so may be a slight over estimate.

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Amount Per Serving

Calories 556 Calories from Fat 392

% Daily Value*

Fat 43.58g67%

Saturated Fat 10.6g53%

Trans Fat 0.07g

Polyunsaturated Fat 18.232g

Monounsaturated Fat 12.457g

Cholesterol 51mg17%

Sodium 683mg28%

Potassium 871mg25%

Carbohydrates 32.01g11%

Fiber 7.1g28%

Sugar 15.07g17%

Protein 14.73g29%

Vitamin A 3150IU63%

Vitamin C 203mg246%

Calcium 240mg24%

Iron 2.2mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.

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