Skip to Content

Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman

Every potluck needs a nice broccoli salad, and this recipe for broccoli salad from The Pioneer Woman is the BEST. A delicious summertime side dish may be achieved by combining Cheddar cheese, bacon, red onion, and a sweet and tangy vinaigrette.

Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman
Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman

Is Broccoli Salad good for you?

Yes! This Broccoli Salad is packed with broccoli, which is why I think of it as a superfood. The cruciferous vegetable family, of which broccoli is a member, has been shown to provide numerous health benefits, including protection against cancer and inflammation. Cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts are also members. The fiber and folate in broccoli are also beneficial.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Broccoli Salad features crispy bacon and sunflower seeds! You’ll love the added salty, savory flavor they provide.
  • You can make it with fresh, simple ingredients.
  • The broccoli is parboiled, then quickly cooled so it is tender but not mushy.
  • The dressing is a perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and sweet.
  • The world is full of broccoli salads, but none are quite as delicious as our broccoli salad!

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

  • Sunflower seeds: You can remove the shells yourself or buy them with the shells already removed.
  • Raisins: If you prefer, you can substitute dried cranberries.
  • Cheddar cheese: You can use mild, sharp, or extra sharp cheddar in broccoli salad.
  • Bacon: Make it extra crispy!
  • For broccoli salad: I like to use fresh broccoli and blanch it for one minute. Then I rinse it with cold water (to prevent it from cooking further). The recipe can also be made without cooking the broccoli, and many people have enjoyed it that way as well!

Do You Have To Cook The Broccoli For Broccoli Salad?

You can cook the broccoli in water to remove the raw taste by blanching the florets. You should cook the florets for a full minute in water that has been brought to a boil. To stop the cooking, place them in an ice bath. Broccoli should be well drained before use.

Broccoli Salad Variations:

  • Make it gluten-free: This salad is already naturally gluten-free!
  • Make it vegetarian: You can omit the bacon if you’d like to make a vegetarian broccoli salad. Or you can add vegan bacon if you’d like.
  • Use a different kind of nuts, cheese, or dried berries: The ingredients in this recipe are all extremely flexible, so you are free to use whatever nuts, cheeses, or dried fruits you have on hand.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Broccoli Salad?

  • Drop your broccoli into a pot of boiling water and cook it for about 1 minute.
  • Once it’s done, remove it immediately and rinse it with cold water, then place it in a large bowl.
  • Next, you want to add onion, cheese, bacon, raisins, and sunflower seeds to the broccoli. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, vinegar, and sugar. Pour over the salad and allow it to chill for 1 to 4 hours before serving.

What Pairs With Broccoli Salad?

We’re set for any summer gathering, from picnics in the park to backyard barbecues, with this Broccoli Salad recipe in our back pocket. The perfect addition to a gingham-covered table piled high with chips and burgers, it is cold and crunchy, creamy and delightful.

Some suggestions on what to eat with a Broccoli Salad:

Recipe Tips

  • By adding the dressing ahead of time, it softens the veggies and gets absorbed into the crevices of the broccoli florets. I love it this way!
  • Toss the broccoli salad with the dressing right before you’re ready to eat it for a crunchier broccoli salad.
  • This should be chilled for at least an hour before serving for best results.
  • You can use half the sugar or substitute stevia. You can also use a low-fat mayo or olive oil mayo! You can skip the bacon, although I don’t often do that!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Miracle Whip Instead Of Mayonnaise In The Dressing?

While you could certainly use Miracle Whip or some other low-fat mayo in its place, I find the flavor of real mayonnaise to be much more satisfying.

How Do You Store Broccoli Salad?

Your Broccoli Salad will keep for up to three days if stored properly in the refrigerator. Place your Broccoli Salad in an airtight container and refrigerate it to keep it fresh.

How Long Can Broccoli Salad Be Left Out At Room Temperature?

If you want to enjoy your broccoli salad a little bit longer, you may leave it out at room temperature for two hours, but after that, you should refrigerate it to preserve the integrity of the mayonnaise and cheese. Serving this outside in the summer could hasten its spoilage. If you’re not sure when to set the table, wait until right before the meal.

What Dressing Goes On Broccoli Salad?

Traditional Broccoli Salad dressing is a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. With some homemade yogurt, I’ve been able to increase the dressing’s creamy texture. It enhances the dish with the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Can I Use Broccoli Stems In Broccoli Salad?

If you want to utilize broccoli stems in your broccoli salad like I do, you need first peel off the rough, fibrous outer covering using a potato peeler.

Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman
Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman

Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving ( 1 cup | 152g )

  • Calories 403
  • Total Fat 33g
  • Saturated Fat 8.1g
  • Trans Fat 0.3g
  • Cholesterol 38mg
  • Sodium 1046mg
  • Potassium 360mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 20g
  • Dietary Fiber 3.5g
  • Sugars 13g
  • Protein 10g
  • Vitamin A 14%
  • Calcium 17%
  • Iron 6%

Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: minutesRest time:4 hours Total time:4 hours 15 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:403 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Every potluck needs a nice broccoli salad, and this recipe for broccoli salad from The Pioneer Woman is the BEST. A delicious summertime side dish may be achieved by combining Cheddar cheese, bacon, red onion, and a sweet and tangy vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Drop your broccoli in a pot of boiling water and cook it for about 1 minute.
  2. Once it’s done, remove it immediately and rinse it with cold water then place it in a large bowl.
  3. Next, you want to add onion, cheese, bacon, raisins, and sunflower seeds to broccoli.
  4. Whisk together the mayo, vinegar, and sugar in a small bowl. Pour over the salad and allow to chill for 1 to 4 hours before serving.
Keywords:Broccoli Salad Pioneer Woman, Broccoli Salad
Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 403
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33g51%
Saturated Fat 8.1g41%
Trans Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 1046mg44%
Potassium 360mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 3.5g15%
Sugars 13g
Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 14 IU
Calcium 17 mg
Iron 6 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.