Broccoli Crunch Salad

Whole Foods’ broccoli crunch salad was a longtime favorite for good reason—crisp, sweet, tangy, and just a little salty from the bacon. They discontinued it for a while, but it still occasionally returns. This homemade version captures that original flavor, with a creamy, slightly sweet dressing, chewy raisins, crunchy sunflower seeds, and smoky bits of bacon tossed with fresh broccoli florets.

It’s a flexible salad that’s easy to tweak to your taste. Adjust the mayo, dial the sweetness up or down, or add something extra like chopped apples or shredded carrots. Whether you’re making it ahead for a picnic or prepping lunches for the week, it holds up well in the fridge and only gets better as it sits.

How to Make Broccoli Crunch Salad

1. Start by chopping the broccoli florets into small, bite-sized pieces if they’re not already. Add them to a large mixing or serving bowl. Dice the cooked bacon and add it along with the raisins, chopped red onion, and sunflower seeds.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of mayonnaise, the cider vinegar, and sugar. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness, salt, or pepper to your liking.
3. Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss everything together until well coated. If it seems a little dry, stir in a bit more mayonnaise. Chill until ready to serve.

Recipe Variations

• Dried Fruit: Instead of raisins, add tart dried cranberries or chopped dried cherries to provide a more complex flavor profile.
• Nuts and Seeds: Swap slivered almonds, pepitas, or roasted chickpeas for the sunflower seeds.
• Seasonings: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for a pleasant kick.
• Vegetables: Make the salad with half broccoli and half cauliflower.
• Sweetener: Use a sugar substitute or try Lyle’s Golden Syrup.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Diana

Enjoy a tasty and versatile broccoli salad—add your favorite variations!

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Servings 8 servings

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Course Salads

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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• 12 ounces broccoli florets
• 4 tablespoons diced cooked bacon, about 5 to 6 slices, cooked until done but not overly crispy
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 3/4 to 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar or to taste

Instructions

• Combine Ingredients: In a serving bowl, combine the broccoli, bacon, raisins, onion, and sunflower seeds; toss to mix.
• Dressing: In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup of mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar; taste and adjust the seasonings with a dash of salt and pepper, more sugar, etc. 
• Dress the Salad: Add the dressing to the broccoli mixture and toss to blend. Add more mayonnaise if needed.

Keyword broccoli salad

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