Broccoli salad is a classic that you’ll find in most deli counters at your local grocery store. My version uses blanched fresh broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, cooked bacon and sliced almonds. The mayonnaise dressing has slightly tangy/sweet Japanese vinegar. What a great way to eat broccoli!
In my C.S.A. (Consumer supported agriculture) box, I received a lot of fresh broccoli. We love broccoli– roasted, steamed, raw. I haven’t made broccoli salad in ages, so I decided to go for it. Since I had a lot of broccoli stalks, I also decided to make cream of broccoli soup.
I didn’t measure, so I will do my best to help those of you who like to follow recipes to the “letter”. I thought I’d admit to all of you that, when trying a brand new recipe, I tend to follow it precisely. I rarely improvise, unless it’s something I feel really safe with. I make notes, and the second time around I’ll improvise.
That’s what I did with my broccoli salad. I checked around for recipes, and I decided that I wanted to use dried cranberries, instead of raisins. I also wanted to use rice vinegar (unseasoned) so that I could use less sugar. I decided to use sliced almonds and so I got busy:
My florets are a little on the chunky side. You can cut them teeny tiny, but I like shortcuts…
In boiling water, I blanched the broccoli for 2 minutes.
Using one of my favorite kitchen gadgets (my “spider”) the broccoli was immersed into an ice water bath.
I had cooked bacon from a previous recipe that I re-heated in the microwave. I’d say it was about a cup of bacon…maybe a little less. I used about handful of sliced onion, about 1/2 cup of red onion (be careful, or it can overpower your salad, about 1 cup of dried cranberries, a handful of sliced almonds and I was ready to add the dressing…
I used approximated one cup of mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1/4 cup of sugar and whisked it as my dressing. Adjust seasonings to suit your taste.
This is about the time that my boys show up. How do they know when something is almost ready?
My son, who has usually been skeptical of broccoli took a taste. He loved it!
Personally, I think this salad tastes best fresh. The next day, I find that it can become soggy. But, that’s me…
Classic Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- Broccoli florets about 4 cups
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Japanese rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup red onion diced
- 4 to 6 bacon strips cooked crips and crumbled
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon and place into an ice/water bath. Drain and blot dry. In a bowl, add blanched broccoli, almonds, dried cranberries and onion.
For the dressing:
- Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and add salt & pepper, to taste (the bacon can already add salt, so be careful).
- Blend into vegetables, gently mix and serve right away.
I LOVE broccoli salad! We get ours from Costco and everything is premeasured, you just mix it all up when you get home. In it are broccoli florets, shredded stems, poppy seed dressing, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, soy nuts and bacon. It is SO good. We got some yesterday and we’re having it for dinner!
Are you making anything special for Mother’s Day? I always say go for cake 🙂
Broccoli salad is one of my faves. I add some similar to your some different. Red onion, bacon, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, halved, sunflower seeds, etc. Now Im craving it. Loved your picture, so colorful!
This sounds like a heavenly lunch!! VERY nice photography.
I have never eaten a true broccoli salad….have put a few florets on a salad. Will have to try your recipe, sounds and looks delicious!
Best to you!
Thom
BBQing Tips From Deep In The Heart Of Oregon
I forgot how good broccoli salad can be until I saw this recipe. Sounds delicious!
Deb,
Have you been talking to you my sister in law?
She has been making this broccoli salad (minus the nuts) for 20 years.
I love it!
Now that is the best looking broccoli I’ve seen in a while. Broccoli salad never really appealed to me, and then, you posted your recipe. Well, now I’m in love, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the green stuff.
Good for you for taking photography classes! I can’t wait to hear what stands out to you, as I barely know how to turn my camera on! 🙂 The broccoli salad looks so good, I’m actually craving broccoli – which is a slight miracle!
That broccoli salad looks delicious. I love barely steamed crunchy broccoli. I usually eat it dipped in a little mayo, but this is way better.
Mmmm, thank you for posting your broccoli and bacon salad. Almost everyone I know makes one and it’s just one of those things that I have never actually made but love!