Creamy Broccoli Crunch Salad
This creamy broccoli crunch salad is the perfect side dish – everyone LOVES IT!! It combines fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet raisins, and sunflower seeds for lots of delicious crunch! It’s all tossed in the best creamy, slightly sweet balsamic dressing. This salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for spring and summer or for any potluck or gathering.
Need more crowd-pleasing summer salad ideas? Try this refreshing sweet corn salad, this creamy cucumber salad, or this lemon orzo salad!
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this creamy broccoli crunch salad:
For the dressing
For the salad
Ingredient Substitutions & Additions
Sunflower seeds: I love these for even more added crunch, but you can leave them out or sub pumpkin seeds.
Raisins: If you are serving this as a holiday side dish, swap with dried cranberries.
Cheese: Many classic broccoli salad recipes add shredded sharp cheddar cheese… I mean, what can go wrong??
Expert Tips
- Make-ahead tip: Ideally, you’d make this salad and toss it with the dressing about an hour before serving. If that’s not possible, keep the salad and the dressing separate. Then toss with the dressing right before serving.
- Dressing: If you feel the dressing is too thick, add a splash of milk.
- Broccoli florets: I typically buy pre-cut broccoli florets. However, go through them and make sure they are all cut into nice, small, bite-sized pieces.
More Salads For Parties
Did you try this recipe?
Let us know your thoughts on this broccoli crunch salad by leaving a star rating below or sharing it on Instagram!
Thank you! ~ Casey
Creamy Broccoli Crunch Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt/kosher salt
For the salad
- 16 oz. bacon, chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 8-10 cups broccoli florets cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup raisins (or dried cranberries)
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Cook bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, add bacon pieces. Cook, stirring often, for about 8-10 minutes or until crisp. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon pieces to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside to cool.
- Make the dressing: While the bacon is cooking, make the dressing. Whisk the mayo, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt until very smooth. Set aside. Note: If you want a thinner texture to the dressing, add a splash or two of milk.
- Assemble: To a large bowl, add broccoli florets, cooled bacon, red onion, raisins, and sunflower seeds. Add the dressing and toss well until everything is well-coated with the dressing. Chill for a few hours or serve right away.
This salad is an absolute STAPLE at every party or Christmas dinner! Everyone always requests it–I know you’ll love it, too! XO ~ Casey