Broccoli Raisin Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that combines the freshness of crisp broccoli with the sweetness of raisins, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. This salad is not only delicious but also visually appealing, featuring vibrant green broccoli florets and plump raisins.
To prepare this dish, start by blanching or steaming the broccoli until it’s tender yet retains a slight crunch. Once cooled, combine the broccoli with plump raisins, adding a burst of natural sweetness. The salad often includes red onions for a hint of sharpness and sunflower seeds or slivered almonds for a delightful crunch.
The dressing is a key element, typically made with a mayonnaise or Greek yogurt base. The creamy texture of the dressing complements the crisp broccoli, while a touch of honey or sugar adds sweetness to balance the tanginess. Some recipes incorporate a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to enhance the overall brightness.
This versatile salad can be customized to suit personal preferences. Some variations include adding shredded cheddar cheese for richness or incorporating crispy bacon for a savory twist. Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving, allowing the flavors to meld.
Broccoli Raisin Salad is not only a crowd-pleaser at picnics and potlucks but also a wholesome side dish for family meals. Its vibrant colors and refreshing taste make it a perfect choice for warm weather, offering a healthy option that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Whether served as a side or enjoyed on its own, this salad is a fantastic way to incorporate nutritious broccoli and sweet raisins into your diet.
Details Broccoli Raisin Salad Recipes
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Additional Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 12
Ingredients For Broccoli Raisin Salad Recipes
1 pound bacon
6 cups chopped broccoli
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 cup raisins
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 (3 ounce) package sunflower seeds
Instructions: Broccoli Raisin Salad Recipes
Step 1: Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels and cool. Chop bacon.
Step 2: Mix broccoli, bacon, red onion, and raisins in a bowl.
Step 3: Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar together in a bowl; stir dressing into broccoli mixture until evenly coated. Cover bowl and refrigerate for flavors to blend, about 1 hour. Sprinkle salad with sunflower seeds.
Made as is it’s a great salad. Always an easy side for family barbecues or holidays.I use on the florets no stems. I use golden raisins as well as dried cranberries. I use real heavily smoked bacon and if making for any kosher friends will use heavily smoked kosher turkey breast. I use chopped cashews or pecans instead of sunflower seeds, and sometimes add red grapes or chopped apples or red bell peppers.
I added chopped peppadew peppers and used avocado mayo and apple cider vinegar. Delish. I also used a sugar substitute.
So delicious! I used a thin, good bacon, cut into small pieces before frying. The mayo, sugar, white vinegar combination is perfectly balanced to produce an amazing flavor.
I was very disappointed. Made this for our 4th of July camping trip. WAY TOO SALTY. Perhaps it should have noted to not use salted sunflower seeds. Between that and the bacon it was almost inedible. I was embarrassed for my friends.
Just made this salad without the sugar (added a bit of honey-who the heck wants so much in their salad anyway?),used apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar and replaced the raisins with fresh pomegranate seeds.Also,I toasted the sunflower seeds.Delicious!4 stars due to the amount of sugar this recipe calls for.
It is delicious!! I do agree, though, that the dressing is a little sweeter than I like, so I would reduce the amount of sugar in the dressing next time. I also added 2 cups of cauliflower to the salad, just because I had it on hand, and it made the salad look really pretty. Also, I used dried cranberries instead of raisins, because we like them better than raisins. Thanks for a good recipe!!
Tasted great! another recipe I had tried almost identical but did not add the sugar I did not like that one too well it tasted to Mayo
Made it exactly as instructed and it was fabulous! Couldn’t be easier to make and it’s even easier to eat!
✅What are the key ingredients for Broccoli Raisin Salad?
The main ingredients include fresh broccoli florets, plump raisins, red onions, sunflower seeds, and a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
✅Can I customize the dressing to suit dietary preferences?
Certainly! The dressing can be adjusted to accommodate preferences, such as using Greek yogurt for a lighter option or incorporating honey or sugar for added sweetness.
✅How do I maintain the crispiness of the broccoli in the salad?
Blanch or steam the broccoli until tender but still slightly crunchy. Plunge it into ice water to preserve its crisp texture before combining with other ingredients.
✅Can I add additional ingredients to enhance the flavor?
Absolutely! Consider incorporating shredded cheddar cheese or crispy bacon for added richness and savory notes. Customize to suit your taste preferences.
✅Is it necessary to refrigerate the salad before serving?
Yes, refrigerate the Broccoli Raisin Salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste and texture.