Easy Broccoli Salad (make ahead) - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

This easy recipe for Broccoli Salad keeps for days in the fridge and will quickly become a family favorite. Made from crunchy broccoli florets, this salad is tossed with a sweet and tangy homemade broccoli salad dressing!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I always feel like summer has officially started when I make this recipe for Broccoli Salad for my family.

I know, I know, traditional summertime meals are generally cooked on the grill.

But for us, the warm weather calls for a cold summer salad in the fridge — one that can be pulled out at a moment’s notice and used as a way to round out multiple meals and complement whatever we’ve got grilling!

(Or eaten on its own, straight out of the salad bowl, for a crunchy midnight snack.)

This recipe for Broccoli Salad keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge — even once it’s been dressed. It has a creamy dressing that’s tangy and sweet (you might even recognize it from my Best Homemade Coleslaw Recipe, it’s the same dressing!)

Even if it’s been sitting for a couple of days, the broccoli in this salad stays crisp (it’s also tossed in with other ingredients like shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and dried cranberries or raisins.)

This makes it a great fuss-free option to make ahead for barbecues, picnics, and cookouts — I’ve never met anyone who didn’t immediately fall in love with this salad!

Planning a picnic? Give my recipes for Creamy Ranch Bowtie Pasta Salad and BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini, and Corn a try!

How to make this Broccoli Salad Recipe:

• Cut broccoli florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces using a small paring knife or some kitchen shears. If the broccoli has a thick stem, peel away the tough outer layer and cut the sweet inner stem into an even dice.
• Cook the bacon until the fat has completely rendered and it can be easily crumbled. The bacon can be cooked several hours ahead of time, refrigerated, and then crumbled once you’re ready to begin making the salad. In a pinch, you can even use bacon bits.
• Combine salad ingredients with broccoli salad dressing. Toss everything together and serve or keep refrigerated and serve within 4 days.

How to make this Broccoli Salad Dressing:

This broccoli salad dressing couldn’t be easier to make — it comes together in 5 minutes or less! You can store the salad dressing in the fridge, covered, for up to 2 weeks.

• Stir the salad dressing ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.
• I also like to make this dressing in a screw-top jar — all you need to do is give it a good shake and the salad dressing is ready to use!

Variations on this Broccoli Salad Recipe:

• Make use of pre-cut broccoli. To make this broccoli salad a super-easy endeavour use pre-cut, bagged broccoli florets. I always like to give the broccoli a good wash, even if the bag says it’s been pre-washed.
• Add some other crunchy vegetables to the mix. Sliced radishes, cauliflower, and celery all add plenty of crunch and will hold up in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Substitute pancetta or thick-cut bacon for the regular bacon. Pancetta has a slightly gamey taste, so keep that in mind if you decide to make the substitution.
• Use any mild, shredded cheese in place of the cheddar. Shredded Monterey Jack, havarti, and gouda would all work well in this salad.
• Experiment with dried fruit. Out of dried cranberries or raisins? Golden sultanas and thinly sliced dried apricots are also tasty additions to this broccoli salad.
• Play around with different nuts and seeds. Sunflower seeds are my go-to crunchy ingredient whenever I make this salad, but I’ve also tried slivered almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds.
• Add a touch of heat. Depending on your family’s tolerance for spicy food, you can add a small amount of sriracha (or another favorite hot sauce) to the dressing for a hint of heat.
• Customize the dressing to your taste. If you like a tangier dressing add more acid — this recipe calls for cider vinegar but you can also use red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar for a more noticeable taste. If you prefer your broccoli salad dressing on the sweeter side you can add more sugar (or try replacing it with liquid honey!)

Recipes for the grill you’ll love:

These recipes for the grill pair perfectly with this broccoli salad recipe!

• Grilled Chicken Marinade
• Grilled Turkey Burgers
• Hawaiian Chicken Burgers with Grilled Pineapple
• Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil