Dinner

Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

ByThomas Greene February 22, 2026February 22, 2026

Introduction

This best broccoli salad is a refreshing and crunchy side dish perfect for any occasion. With a delightful mix of fresh vegetables, savory bacon, and a tangy dressing, it’s sure to become a family favorite.

A close-up view of a white bowl full of fresh broccoli salad showing multiple layers. The base layer is bright green broccoli florets with a rough texture and small stems. Among the broccoli, thin slices of purple-red onion add a pop of color and thin white cabbage strips add crunch. Scattered on top are small pieces of crispy brown bacon, light beige almond slices, dark red dried cranberries, and thin crispy fried onion strips. A creamy white dressing is drizzled unevenly over the salad, creating soft patches of white on the green broccoli. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with bright, natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and generously season with kosher salt. Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water.
Step 2: Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook until just fork-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to the ice water to stop the cooking. Let cool completely, then drain well.
Step 3: Place the cooled broccoli in a large bowl. Add the shredded carrots, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds.
Step 4: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir gently until everything is well coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

For added sweetness, substitute dried cranberries with raisins or chopped dried apricots.
Try swapping bacon for cooked pancetta or turkey bacon for a lighter option.
Add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for extra richness.
Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving helps the flavors meld beautifully.

Storage

Store any leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The almonds and bacon may soften slightly over time, so for best texture, add them fresh just before serving if possible. Reheat is not recommended; enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a broccoli salad being served from a white plate. The salad has several layers: bright green broccoli florets form the main base, mixed with thin, pale purple slices of onion and small orange shredded carrot pieces scattered throughout. White creamy dressing coats several parts of the salad, giving a smooth texture. There are also some dark brown raisins or nuts mixed in. At the bottom right, a woman's hand is holding a silver spoon, scooping the salad. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. For the best texture, consider adding the almonds and bacon just before serving.