Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe (Perfect for Potlucks!)

It’s hard to beat homemade broccoli salad when you want a side dish that’s both crowd-pleasing and refreshing. This delicious recipe combines fresh, crisp broccoli with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy almonds, sweet raisins, and juicy tomatoes, all brought together with a tangy-sweet dressing. Best of all, this no-cook recipe comes together quickly and actually improves in flavor when made ahead, making it the perfect dish to bring to potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings where you want to impress without stress.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why This Recipe Works

This broccoli salad succeeds because it balances contrasting flavors and textures perfectly. The raw broccoli provides a fresh crunch, while the bacon adds smoky richness. Sweet raisins complement sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy almonds provide textural interest. The creamy, slightly sweet dressing ties everything together without overwhelming the fresh vegetable flavors. Unlike many mayonnaise-based salads, this one actually improves with time as the flavors meld together.

Ingredients for easy broccoli salad

For the Salad Base:

• Large broccoli crown – Provides the fresh, crisp foundation with mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with rich ingredients
• Red onion – Adds sharp bite and beautiful color contrast to the green broccoli
• Fresh tomatoes – Contribute juicy sweetness and bright acidity that lightens the overall dish
• Bacon, cooked and crumbled – Delivers smoky, salty richness that transforms this from simple salad to satisfying side dish
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese – Provides creamy texture and tangy flavor that complements the bacon perfectly

For Texture and Sweetness:

• Golden raisins – Add natural sweetness and chewy texture that balances savory elements
• Slivered almonds – Contribute satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that enhances the salad’s complexity

For the Dressing:

• Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base that binds all ingredients together smoothly
• White vinegar – Adds necessary acidity to brighten flavors and cut through richness
• Sugar – Balances the vinegar’s tartness and enhances natural vegetable sweetness
• Salt and pepper – Essential seasonings that enhance and unify all flavors

How to make broccoli salad

1. Place broccoli, cooked bacon, onions, almonds, raisins, and cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

2. Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Pour dressing over the broccoli mixture.
4. Add tomatoes and gently stir to combine.
5. Serve immediately or cover the salad and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Recipe notes

While perfectly tasty when just made, the flavors will get better the longer you allow this salad to rest before serving.

If you cut want to cut the sugar from this you may want to add some Splenda in its place. I personally do like this with raisins. As I am not a fan of raisins, you can omit those as well.

How do you cut broccoli for broccoli salad?

Wash the broccoli carefully. Shake off the excess water. Grab the broccoli by the stalk and place the stalk over a large bowl. In your other hand grab your favorite chef’s knife.  Hold the knife parallel to the top of the floret, and carefully cut horizontally across the stalk. Your cut should be between ¼ and ½ inch.

You will need to rotate the stalk, so you are continually cutting into the floret. When there is no more floret you can use a vegetable peeler to peel off the stalk of the broccoli, and then chop up the remaining stalk into small pieces.

Storage & Food Safety

• Refrigerator Storage: Store covered in refrigerator for 3-5 days maximum. Beyond 5 days, the salad begins losing optimal flavor and texture.
• Food Safety: Keep chilled during transport and serving. Don’t leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent spoilage.
• Best Quality: While safe to eat for several days, this salad is at peak quality within the first 2-3 days when vegetables remain crisp.

Make-Ahead Strategies

Day Before Preparation:

• Prepare all ingredients except tomatoes and store separately
• Make dressing and refrigerate
• Assemble salad except tomatoes, add them just before serving

Several Hours Ahead:

• Add fresh herbs or additional nuts just before serving for enhanced presentation
• Complete salad preparation and refrigerate
• Flavors actually improve with time as dressing penetrates ingredients

Love broccoli? Check out these recipes

• Broccoli and Rice Casserole
• Pasta con Broccoli
• Low Carb Broccoli and Cheese
• Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Bake
• Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe Panera Copycat
• Cream of Broccoli Soup
• Broccoli Beef Recipe
• Broccoli Cheese Pasta
• Broccoli Raisin Nut Salad

Best Potluck Salads

• Simple Macaroni Salad
• Carrot Raisin Salad
• Easy Corn and Black Bean Salad
• Quinoa Salad

Take a look at more of my easy salads and summer recipes.

Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe (Potluck Perfect)

Fresh broccoli salad with bacon, cheese, almonds, and sweet dressing. Perfect make-ahead side dish for potlucks, picnics, and gatherings!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate Add to Collection Go to Collections

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade Broccoli Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 372kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 2 pounds broccoli
• 1/2 pound bacon cooked crisp
• 1/2 cup chopped red onions
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup raisins optional
• 8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes or cherry or grape tomatoes

Instructions

• Wash broccoli and pat dry.
• Cut off the broccoli florets, leaving the stems aside. You can save the stems for use with a different recipe.
• Place broccoli florets in a large bowl.
• Crumble crispy cooked bacon and add it to bowl.
• Add chopped red onions, raisins if desired, shredded cheese, and stir.
• Place mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Drizzle the dressing over the broccoli mixture.
• Add tomatoes and gently fold them into the salad.
• Cover the salad and refrigerate it overnight. You can serve immediately if you desire, but better flavors result the longer you let the salad rest.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 499mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 690IU | Vitamin C: 69.2mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 1.3mg