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–+ servings
Broccoli Salad in a big serving bowl next to shredded rotisserie chicken and chopped bacon.

Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe

Meg van der Kruik
This broccoli salad recipe is a hearty one-bowl recipe that is a perfect side dish, but with chicken or bacon, this side salad becomes dinner!
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill time 2 hours
Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 607 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Easy Broccoli Salad

  • 6 cups broccoli florets about 2 crowns, separated into very small florets.
  • 1 1/2 cups red seedless grapes halved
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese see note
  • 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup raisins

For the Buttermilk Peppercorn dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

To serve on the side for mix-ins

  • 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or cubed optional. Chicken can be oven roasted or shredded rotisserie chicken.
  • 1/2 cup chopped bacon optional

Instructions
 

Make the Buttermilk Peppercorn dressing

  • Combine all of the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and whisk to combine. The dressing will seem thin. Set aside.

Make the Easy Broccoli Salad

  • In a large bowl combine the broccoli, halved grapes, and onions. Pour the dressing over and toss to coat.
  • Add the shredded Cheddar, almonds, sunflower seeds, and raisins. Toss to incorporate.
  • Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
    As the salad chills the vegetables will soak up most of the dressing.

To serve Easy Broccoli Salad

  • After chilling the vegetarian salad base is ready to serve. If adding shredded chicken or chopped bacon mix in right before serving.

Notes

A note about cheese...
We noticed in recipe testing that it is best to use the largest size shred of cheddar you can find for both the texture and looks of this salad.
If you cannot find large cheese shreds in the store you may want to take the time to shred what you need from a block of Cheddar yourself using the largest shredder on your cheese grater. 
A note about raisins...
While we prefer DOV raisins you can use any type of raisins in this recipe. The raisins will plump as the salad chills.
A note about nuts...
Toasted walnuts and pecans are both delicious substitutes for the almonds in this recipe.
To make nut-free just replace the amount of toasted nuts called for in the recipe with more sunflower seeds.

Nutrition

Calories: 607kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 33gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 858mgPotassium: 830mgFiber: 6gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 861IUVitamin C: 87mgCalcium: 260mgIron: 3mg
Keyword almond, bacon, Broccoli, cheese, chicken, grape, holiday salad, Raisins, sunflower seeds
Tried this recipe?Mention @cagrownofficial or tag #CAGROWN!