This Nutty Broccoli Salad Recipe combines sweet and savory flavors to create a delicious side dish!
Last week I had to harvest 7 broccoli crowns that were getting burnt in the sun. I have been using it as a side dish, adding it to salads, and making stir-frys. I needed a new way to serve up broccoli before my family started complaining, so I decided to create a broccoli salad. I had a nutty broccoli salad at a local deli that I thought was good, but one child didn’t like one of the ingredients and my husband didn’t like the nut they had used in their recipe. I decided to come up with a broccoli salad recipe that the entire family would enjoy.
The good thing about making my own broccoli recipe is I was able to use items that I already had on hand. I added cranberries, sunflower seeds, and pecans to my salad. I also added bacon and red onions. If you decide to try this, please adapt it to what you already have available to you and the items that your family enjoys.
Dressings for Broccoli salad usually consist of mayonnaise and sugar. I added balsamic vinaigrette when creating the dressing for this salad. It adds a unique flavor that blends well with the other ingredients. If you are watching your calories, you can replace some or all of the mayonnaise with plain yogurt.
Nutty Broccoli Salad Recipe
This broccoli salad recipe can be doubled. It can also be made the day before a party.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 6 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette (I used Annie’s Naturals because it is gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon sugar
Directions:
- Cook bacon. (Here’s how to easily cook bacon in the oven.)
- While the bacon is cooking, chop the vegetables.
- Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl, stir well.
- Mix salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over salad, mix until thoroughly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until chilled.
- Serve cold.
Printable Recipe for Nutty Broccoli Salad
Nutty Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 5 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 6 pieces of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Cook bacon.
- While the bacon is cooking, chop the vegetables.
- Combine the mayonnaise, balsamic vinaigrette, and sugar in a small bowl, stir well.
- Add the broccoli florets, pecans, sunflower seeds, onion, cranberries, and crumbled bacon to a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over salad, mix until thoroughly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until chilled.
- Serve cold.
More Salad Recipes:
- Taco Salad
- Apple Walnut Salad
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad
- Cajun Ranch Potato Salad
- Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad with Grilled Pork
- Southwest Steak Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
- Strawberry Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Chicken and Mango Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
I originally created this recipe on July 29, 2009. It was updated on March 25, 2022.
Jennifer says
This looks super yummy
Sharinskishe says
This sounds delicious! I like that you improvised and used what you had on hand. This is what I do sometimes and really should do all the time.
Thanks for posting with Food on Fridays. I love getting tips and learning from my fellow Bloggers.
shari
Lisa Shatzer says
The first time I saw broccoli salad it scared me and I put a tiny bit on my plate. As soon as I took the first bite I fell in love and went back to the kitchen to get a bigger helping. I also begged our hostess for the recipe, which she kindly gave me. Now whenever I make it, people ask me for the recipe.
Elaine says
Oh my goodness….this looks so good. Thanks! 🙂
darnold23 says
Great idea! I hope you will join me at Diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com for Crock Pot Wednesdays. The details for that and the Mister Linky are already posted. The first giveaway item has been announced and you can expect the additional ones over the next few days. The date of the first event is August 5. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda says
That looks great. My broccoli plants are growing, but still not producing anything. I will archive this away (and hopefully remember where I put it) for when I can harvest some from my garden 🙂
ButterYum says
Love balsamic… must give this recipe a try!
heartnsoulcooking says
I like this recipe. The pecans are a GREAT!!! addition. THANKS!!! Geri
Alea says
Thanks for the website Mub, I will give it a try. It would be great to have a place other than my desk where recipes and ideas were saved and organized.
The Thrifty Countrywoman says
That sounds really good. Bet my husband would love it. He adds dried cranberries to everything!
mub says
I love broccoli salad! Cranberries and pecans are a little harder to come by here at a good price so I usually use raisins and just sunflower seeds and it works really well! I also like to toss in some shredded mozzarella (or Italian blend cheese).
I -usually- use delicious.com to bookmark good stuff that I come across online. You can use tags and tag groups to keep things organized… that said, I did NOT use it last week and had the same problem you did with not remembering where I found my inspiration *L*
The Book Lady Online says
This looks so yummy! I'm always looking for more ways to serve broccoli. Can't wait to try this.