Classic Broccoli Salad
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Published Mar 03, 2021, Updated Mar 13, 2023
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This broccoli salad is loaded with raisins, sunflower seeds and bacon and is topped with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. This post is sponsored by Kroger.
In honor of Women’s History Month, I’m so excited to share a recipe inspired by one of the most important women in my life: my mom.
Some of my best memories with my mom revolve around the kitchen. She was always cooking up something and I was in the kitchen more often than not… likely stealing bites from whatever she was making, but I like to think I helped a little too!
She’s the person who taught me to cook and really ignited my passion for cooking and food. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.
We haven’t been able to see each other much this year and that has been really, really hard. I can’t wait until I can hug you again, Mom!
Remaking dishes from my childhood has always been one of my favorite things to do, but even more so now! It helps me relive those special memories and feel close to family, even during a time when we have to stay distanced.
My mom made a broccoli salad for every gathering growing up and it was one of my absolute favorites! I’ve already shared a vegan broccoli salad with a creamy cashew dressing, but I was craving the classic version recently so I created this recipe. It’s just like the broccoli salad I grew up eating, but with a lightened-up twist!
When testing this recipe, I took one bite and was quickly taken back to a memory of being in the kitchen with my mom making this salad for a family cookout. It tastes so similar to her version!
Healthy Broccoli Salad Ingredients
- chopped broccoli florets – you can use pre-chopped florets or buy full heads. Either way you’ll want to chop the florets into tiny, bite-size pieces. This helps distribute the dressing and makes the salad easier to eat.
- bacon – I used Simple Truth pork bacon, but turkey bacon would work great too if you want bacon with less calories and fat.
- sunflower seeds – I prefer roasted and salted, but you can use dry roasted or raw. Roasted tends to have more flavor and crunch.
- raisins – I love the Simple Truth brand.
- red onion – the red onion adds a pop of color and oniony flavor.
- Greek yogurt – instead of mayo, I used Greek yogurt to up the protein and reduce the fat.
- apple cider vinegar – apple cider vinegar is my go-to vinegar for salad dressing because of it’s health benefits and I love the flavor it adds here.
- honey or maple syrup – a hint of sweet to balance out the rest of the ingredients.
- sea salt and black pepper – two essentials for a tasty salad dressing.
I grabbed all of the ingredients for this salad from Kroger. We’ve been doing their grocery pickup or delivery and it has been a lifesaver!
Pro tip: As I mentioned, I love Kroger’s Simple Truth products. Simple Truth is their natural, organic line that is free from 101+ artificial preservatives and ingredients. Their packaging is super clean and clear so you know exactly what you’re buying!
Substitutions & Notes
Raw broccoli – Make sure you’re using fresh, raw broccoli. Frozen or cooked broccoli won’t work for this recipe! If you’re looking for a salad with cooked broccoli try this: roasted broccoli quinoa salad.
Vegetarian version – You can omit the bacon or try using tempeh bacon or coconut bacon.
Dairy-free version – Use a dairy-free Greek yogurt. I personally like using coconut milk yogurt when I need a dairy-free option. It’s thick like Greek yogurt and works great.
Add cheese – Some versions of classic broccoli salad include cheese, but my mom’s version doesn’t so I’m sticking with that! If you want to add cheese, feel free to add in shredded cheddar cheese.
How to Make Broccoli Salad
Cook bacon: I like cooking it in the oven (see notes in the recipe card), but you can also cook it in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, honey, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Add broccoli, sunflower seeds, raisins, red onion, and bacon to the bowl and stir until well combined.
Cover and chill: Cover container and chill in the fridge. Let sit for at least 3-4 hours before serving. Overnight works great too as this salad tastes better after it has had time to sit.
How to Store Broccoli Salad
This broccoli salad will last up to five days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may notice that the raisins absorb some of the liquid or the sunflower seeds soften but that’s okay! It will still be delicious.
More Classic Salad Recipes to Try
Popular Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Cranberry Salad
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Teriyaki Tempeh and Broccoli
- Vegan Broccoli Salad
- Broccoli Noodle Stir-Fry
Be sure to check out all my broccoli recipes as well as my full collection of salad recipes.
Classic Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 5 cups chopped broccoli florets, about 2 large heads
- 3 slices of cooked bacon, pork or turkey bacon work
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup raisins
- ⅓ cup diced red onion
- ¾ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- sprinkle of garlic powder
Instructions
- If you haven't done so already, cook the bacon according to the package instructions. I like cooking it in the oven, but you can also cook it in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- In a small bowl whisk together yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, water, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Add broccoli, sunflower seeds, raisins, red onion and bacon to the bowl and toss. Drizzle on dressing and toss until everything is coated.
- Cover container and chill in the fridge. Let sit for at least 3-4 hours before serving. Overnight works great too as this salad tastes better after it has had time to sit.
Video
Notes
- Cook bacon in the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then place the bacon on the baking sheet. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until bacon is cooked through and crisp. Remove bacon from the baking sheet using a fork or tongs and place on a plate lined with multiple paper towels to soak up the bacon grease.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks delicious but I don’t like the taste of raw broccoli at all. I wouldn’t want it to be mushy, but do people ever partially cook the broccoli in this salad?
I’m not sure how this salad would turn out roasting the broccoli, but you could certainly try it! Here’s my recipe for roasted broccoli if you want to try it. 🙂 Let me know if you do and how it turns out!
This is the second time I made this recipe and I love it … I could not wait for lunchtime.. I had to have a bowl right after breakfast!!!
So glad you loved this recipe, Sally! Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it!
To make this more of a meal salad what protein source would taste good on top or mixed in?
Hey Abby – I bet roasted chickpeas would be yummy or you could make this apple cider vinegar chicken to add to the top of the salad.
It was delicious
So glad you loved this recipe, Donna! Thanks for the review. I so appreciate it!
I’m so glad I found this website!!! You rock👍I’m going to do my shopping in a bit,get ingredients I need and start cooking…I will let you know how they came out 🙂 P.S. ACV actually help with weight loss?
This looks delish! Do you use roasted and salted or raw sunflower seeds?
I used roasted and salted, but you can use whichever type you prefer.
I depise raisins. Could dried cranberries be used?
Hey Caren- that should be fine. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
I made this tonight and even my veggie-hesitant 8 year old enjoyed it. I’d read a different broccoli salad recipe that involved lots of mayo. This dressing was lighter but still so flavorful, much to our delight. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Ahh yay!! So glad this salad was a hit! Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!
Made this recipe tonight for my lunch tomorrow. Of course I needed to “test it” beforehand, and oh my goodness! Scrumptious! And NO Mayo!!!!! 🙂
Yay!! So glad this broccoli salad was a hit, Mary Lou! Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it!
Can I substitute sunflower seeds for f.e. cashews or walnuts?? Only thing I have at home right now…
Thanks!
Hey Thera- Definitely!
This looks amazing. So fresh, great for spring.
Thanks, Angela! Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Super easy and delicious! Big hit at our barbecue!
We’re dairy free but love bacon so I modified this by swapping cashew yogurt for the listed Greek. I love how Erin always includes vegan or dairy free alternatives on her recipes! This was delicious, even the kids loved it!
So glad you loved this recipe, Julie! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + review. I so appreciate it!
This is such a great summertime salad! I didn’t have sunflower seeds so instead I used slivered almonds. I would use a little less of the dressing! I love it!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Erin! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
Made this for our July 4th cookout and it was gone in minutes!! Super delicious and easy to throw together! A nice healthy option for a cookout!
Yay! So glad this recipe was a hit, Holly. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
Never thought of using the Greek yogurt, going to give it a try.
You’ll definitely have to try it! Let me know what you think of it if you do. 🙂
One of our local markets has a delicious broccoli salad that I have been attempting to recreate. This hits all the notes but better! Delicious.
Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear!! So pumped to hear that this salad met your expectations. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
this is so delicious! I’ve made it a few times, most recently for Fourth of July and it was a hit
This was so good and so fresh. I ate the whole thing myself for lunch every day!
Yay! So glad you loved this recipe, Laura. Thanks for the review + star rating. I so appreciate it!
thanks for sharing this recipe ! love having savory summer recipes to try ! this was fun because it felt so different from a regular salad and had such a delicious flavor combination. really enjoyed it and would make again !
Thank you, Emily! I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe. I appreciate your review + star rating!
I made this recipe today and it was very delicious. I love the crunch of the broccoli. All the ingredients blended nicely.i couldn’t find full fat plain yogurt though, so I used 5%. And it only came in 5.3oz. It was good though.
I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe and you were able to make it work with the substitution. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
Trully loved and enjoyed this recipe! Thanks
I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Alejandra! Thank you for your review and star rating, I really appreciate it!
Really enjoyed this recipe – I’ve made it twice in the past month! I used Skyr instead of Greek yogurt because that’s what I had but don’t think I missed much – may have added a little more bacon 😋 Great meal prep side to have in the fridge since it keeps so well!
AH! I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Chelsea. You definitely can’t go wrong with adding more bacon! Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate you being here.
This salad was so delicious! It was the perfect side salad for my summer dinner party- especially for all of those crunch lovers like me!
I am so happy that this salad was a hit at your dinner party, Isabella! Thank you for coming back and leaving your review, I really appreciate it.
I made this salad last weekend when we had family down to the lake house! It was perfect to make ahead, low prep and a great summer meal. Best part is that the leftovers make for a great lunch throughout the week! I’m actually making it again to bring to a birthday party this weekend 😅
Ah yay! I am so happy that this salad was a hit, Sarah. I completely agree, it is perfect as leftovers too! Thank you for coming back and leaving your review, I really appreciate it.
I made this recipe as a side dish when we had family down to our lake house this past weekend. It was perfect to make ahead of time, low prep, and delicious! Best part is having the leftovers throughout the week for lunch! I am actually making it again this weekend for a birthday party!
Just made this as a side for dinner and it is seriously amazing!! I used honey flavored almonds instead of sunflower seeds & I did cook the broccoli because I didn’t realize it needed to sit in the fridge and I needed it done quick! So yummy this will probably be a new staple side dish!
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and that it worked out for you! Thank you for coming back and leaving your review + star rating, I really appreciate it.
We LOVE a good broccoli salad in this house and it’s always so fun to find new twists and recommendations for old traditions. This one is really good (and so much healthier haha)! We still added our beloved cheese and cauliflower, but will def be making this again!
Ah yay! I am so happy this recipe was a hit, Brittany. Thank you for your review + star rating, I so appreciate it!
I’ve been looking for some light dinner alternatives because nobody wants to cook when it’s triple digits outside! This was super easy to make and it’s great that it can be made ahead. Made substitutions with bacon bits and left out the onions but neither took away any flavor. Will make again!
Yess!! I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Colleen. Your substitutions sound great! Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it.
I made this yesterday as a side salad. Once again, another one of your recipes was delicious and easy to make. I can’t wait to try more.