Description

Amish Broccoli Salad is a fresh, crunchy, and flavorful side dish featuring crisp broccoli florets combined with savory bacon, tangy dressing, and sweet raisins or dried cranberries. This easy-to-make salad balances creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy elements perfectly, making it a versatile addition to potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Ready in under 30 minutes, it can be customized with simple substitutions to fit various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled into bits
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise / Greek yogurt)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar or honey

Optional Additions

1/4 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds (optional, for crunch)
Fresh parsley or chopped chives for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the broccoli: Wash and chop the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces to create the perfect crunch and ease of eating.
Cook the bacon: Fry bacon strips until crispy, then drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces to add smoky flavor and texture.
Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the broccoli, bacon bits, diced red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and raisins or dried cranberries.
Make the dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and sugar (or honey) until smooth and creamy for the perfect tangy-sweet dressing.
Toss everything together: Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and gently toss to coat every bite with delicious flavor.
Chill before serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld beautifully and the broccoli to soften slightly.

Notes

Use fresh broccoli for the best texture and vibrant flavor.
Dry any wet ingredients thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
Prepare the salad a few hours ahead to enhance flavor blending.
Adjust sweetness by tasting and modifying sugar or honey as desired.
Add nuts or seeds just before serving to maintain their crunch.
If making vegan, replace mayonnaise with vegan mayo and omit bacon.
Greek yogurt can be used as a lighter alternative to mayonnaise.
Do not freeze; best served cold or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No Cook / Pan Fry (for bacon)
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 220
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Amish Broccoli Salad, broccoli salad, potluck side dish, creamy broccoli salad, bacon broccoli salad, gluten free salad, easy side dish