Broccoli salad is a quintessential side dish, perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and family gatherings. This Pioneer Woman inspired broccoli salad recipe takes the classic to the next level with its creamy dressing, crisp broccoli, and delightful mix-ins like bacon, cranberries, and sunflower seeds. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s incredibly easy to make and even better when prepared ahead of time.
Why This Broccoli Salad Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just any broccoli salad; it’s the best broccoli salad. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Effortless to Prepare: With minimal steps and simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for busy cooks. You’ll spend more time enjoying it than making it!
- Deliciously Creamy Dressing: The homemade dressing is the star, requiring only 3 ingredients. It’s tangy, creamy, and perfectly balanced without being overly sweet.
- Make-Ahead Marvel: Broccoli salad is ideal for prepping in advance. In fact, chilling it in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld, making it even more delicious the next day. This make-ahead quality makes it a potluck champion and a great option for meal prepping lunches.
- Always a Hit: This recipe is consistently raved about. Leftovers are rare, but if you happen to have any, they’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Feel free to customize this salad with extra vegetables you have on hand. Cauliflower, zucchini, celery, or bell peppers would all be fantastic additions.
Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Broccoli Salad
The beauty of this Pioneer Woman style broccoli salad lies in its simplicity and the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
- Fresh Broccoli Florets: These are the heart of the salad. Use fresh, crisp broccoli, washed and thoroughly dried. There’s no need to cook the broccoli, keeping it wonderfully crunchy.
- Crispy Bacon: Bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch that complements the sweetness of the cranberries and the freshness of the broccoli. Real bacon bits simplify the preparation, but feel free to cook and crumble your own bacon for an even richer flavor.
- Flavorful Add-ins:
- Onions: Red onion or green onions provide a sharp, savory bite.
- Dried Cranberries: These bring a touch of sweetness and chewiness. Raisins can be used as a substitute if preferred.
- Sunflower Seeds: For a nutty crunch. Almonds or pecans, chopped, can also be used for variety.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Broccoli Salad
Making this Pioneer Woman Broccoli Salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
- Prepare the Broccoli: Wash the broccoli florets thoroughly and ensure they are completely dry (a salad spinner is very helpful for this). Cut the florets, including the stems, into bite-sized pieces. This step can be done up to 4 days in advance. For extra texture, consider adding a bit of broccoli slaw to the mix.
- Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar (or sugar substitute) along with salt and pepper to taste, as detailed in the recipe card below. Set the creamy dressing aside.
- Combine and Chill: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This chilling time is crucial as it allows the broccoli to absorb some of the dressing, enhancing the flavor and texture.
Creamy Broccoli Salad Dressing: Just 3 Ingredients!
The dressing for this Pioneer Woman inspired broccoli salad is wonderfully simple and takes only minutes to whisk together:
- Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base. For a slightly different tang, you can substitute with salad dressing like Miracle Whip.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a necessary tanginess that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and sweetness of the sugar.
- Sugar: A touch of sweetness to round out the flavors. You can use your preferred sugar substitute to reduce sugar content.
For those looking for shortcuts, store-bought coleslaw dressing or creamy poppyseed dressing can be used instead of homemade. To make a healthier version, try substituting half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt and omitting the bacon bits.
Tips for the Best Creamy Broccoli Salad Every Time
- Dry Broccoli Thoroughly: Excess moisture can dilute the dressing and make the salad watery. Ensure your broccoli is completely dry after washing.
- Chill Before Serving: Chilling is not optional! It allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to tenderize slightly in the dressing without losing its delightful crunch.
- Make it Ahead: This salad is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. If making further in advance, you can keep the dressing separate and toss it with the salad a few hours before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Pioneer Woman Broccoli Salad is an excellent make-ahead dish. It can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for at least one hour and up to 24 hours before serving. Leftovers will remain delicious for 4-5 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Explore More Easy and Delicious Salad Recipes
Looking for more salad inspiration? Try these other easy and flavorful salad recipes:
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
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The Best Broccoli Salad Recipe
This potluck favorite is guaranteed to be a hit! Fresh, crisp broccoli, bacon, cranberries, and sunflower seeds are tossed in a simple, creamy homemade dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
Chill Time 1 hour hour
Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
Servings 8 servings
Author Holly Nilsson
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
- 8 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup bacon bits
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together dressing ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon bits. Pour the prepared dressing over and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Video
Notes
Broccoli Salad can be made ahead & kept in the fridge (at least an hour but up to 24 hours) until ready to serve. Leftovers will last about 4-5 days in the fridge. Dry broccoli very well so moisture doesn’t water down the dressing. Broccoli does not need to be cooked for this recipe. Reserve some crisp bacon for garnish if desired and add just before serving. Store-bought coleslaw dressing can replace the homemade dressing if desired.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 317 | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 81.7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
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