Looking for a quick & easy broccoli salad everyone will love this summer? This quick & easy broccoli salad is the ultimate side dish that everyone will love this summer. It’s crunchy, savory, sweet, and perfectly quick & easy for all your warm-weather gatherings!
Quick & Easy Broccoli Salad Everyone Will Love This Summer
I don't know about you, but when the weather finally gets warm, I am absolutely done with turning on the oven. I'm all about meals and sides that keep me out of a hot kitchen so I can actually enjoy the sunshine. This broccoli salad is my absolute go-to for cookouts, family potlucks, or just a simple weeknight side dish.
It hits all the right flavor notes: crunchy fresh vegetables, salty bacon, sharp cheese, and sweet cranberries, all tossed in a ridiculously simple, tangy dressing. The best part? It actually tastes better if you make it ahead of time, letting you relax when your guests arrive!
The Ingredients
For the Salad Base:
Fresh Broccoli: 5 to 6 cups of fresh florets, chopped into small, bite-sized pieces.
Bacon: 6 to 8 slices, cooked until perfectly crispy and crumbled.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup, freshly shredded or cut into matchsticks.
Dried Cranberries: 1/2 cup (adds the best sweet contrast to the salty bacon!).
Red Onion: 1/3 cup, finely diced for a little savory bite.
For the Creamy Dressing:
Mayonnaise: 3/4 cup (feel free to swap half of this with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter twist).
Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 tablespoons to brighten it up.
Sugar: 1 to 2 tablespoons, depending on your sweet tooth.
Salt & Pepper: Just a pinch of each to taste.
Instructions
Mix the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth. Set aside.
Combine the Salad Fixings: In a large serving bowl, add your chopped broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, and diced red onion.
Toss it Together: Pour the creamy dressing over the dry salad ingredients. Toss everything thoroughly until all the broccoli pieces are evenly coated.
Chill (The Secret Step!): Cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives the broccoli a chance to soak up the dressing and allows the flavors to beautifully marry together.
Serve: Give it one final quick toss right before bringing it to the table, and enjoy!
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