Easy Chopped Broccoli Salad
This Loaded Broccoli Salad is crunchy, sweet, savory, and packed with cheddar, apples, cranberries, and bacon—perfect for any potluck or picnic!
May 2024 update: I first shared my go-to broccoli salad recipe back in November 2023. The recipe itself is still the same crunchy, creamy, flavor-packed goodness you know and love—but I gave the post a little glow-up with fresh new photos, tasty serving ideas, and tips on how to store leftovers.
👩🍳 Creamy Loaded Broccoli Salad with Crunchy Veggies – A Summer BBQ Favorite
Craving something crunchy, creamy, sweet, and just a little bit cheeky? Let me introduce you to my Loaded Broccoli Salad. This isn’t your average soggy side dish—this baby’s packed with crispy fresh broccoli, sweet apples, toasted sunflower seeds, sharp cheddar, chewy dried cranberries, and smoky bacon bits. And the dressing? Oh, it’s dreamy—creamy with a hint of tang and just enough sweetness to balance everything out.
This broccoli salad hits all the right notes. You’ve got that satisfying crunch from the broccoli and seeds, a pop of sweetness from the fruit, a little chew from the cranberries, and that salty bacon situation just ties it all together. It’s a little sweet, a little savory, and ridiculously easy to love.
Now here’s my little trick—throw everything in the food processor and pulse it until it’s finely chopped. Sounds extra, but trust me, it makes every bite super scoopable and evenly mixed. No giant broccoli trees to battle with, and you get all the flavors in every forkful.
This salad is a total crowd-pleaser for backyard BBQs, summer potlucks, or meal prep lunches that don’t suck. It plays really well with grilled meats—chicken, steak, even salmon if you’re feeling fancy. And bonus—it’s a sneaky way to get in loads of veggies without it tasting like, well, veggies.
🛒 Recipe Ingredient List
🥣 How to Make the Best Broccoli Salad
Add Broccoli and apples to your food processor. Pulse them until they’re about the size of peas. (You might need to do this in batches if your food processor is small.)
Transfer that chopped goodness into a big bowl, then stir in the onion, cranberries, cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, and the crumbled bacon. Give it a good mix!
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or use Greek yogurt mayo), apple cider vinegar, and monk fruit sweetener.
Pour the dressing over the salad, and stir until everything is evenly coated.You can serve it right away, or let it chill in the fridge to let the flavors really meld together. Either way, it’s best eaten within a week (if it lasts that long!).
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The Best Loaded Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 2 heads of broccoli
- 2 apples (peeled or unpeeled, cored)
- ½ large red onion (sliced thin)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener
- 3 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Instructions
- Add 2 heads of broccoli and 2 apples to a food processor and pulse until pea-sized. Add this mixture to a large bowl. You may have to do this in batches if your food processor is not large enough.
- Stir in ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ large red onion, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ¼ cup sunflower seeds and 3 slices of bacon and stir well.
- To a small bowl, add 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 3 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener
- Add dressing to the slaw and stir until combined. Serve immediately or place in fridge. Consume within 3-4 days.
Storage
Nutrition
FAQs
Do I have to blanch the broccoli first?
Nope! Raw broccoli is the star here. It gives that signature crunch and holds up like a champ, even after a day or two in the fridge. Just chop it small so it’s easy to eat and soak up all the creamy dressing goodness.
What can I use instead of mayo in the dressing?
You can swap in plain Greek yogurt Mayo or a mix of yogurt and sour cream if you want a lighter version. It keeps that creamy tang without being too heavy—perfect for a healthier broccoli salad option.
Serving Suggestions
Broccoli salad is the kind of dish that totally steals the spotlight at any cookout, potluck, or weeknight dinner. Its crunchy texture, creamy dressing, and bursts of sweet and savory flavors make it super versatile. Pair it with grilled BBQ chicken or smoked pulled pork for the ultimate summer cookout combo—perfect for those smoky backyard vibes. It also goes great with lighter proteins like lemon garlic baked salmon or herb-marinated chicken skewers (those are always a hit!).
For a cozy comfort meal, serve it alongside smoked turkey meatloaf or a warm slice of savory cornbread—the creamy tang of the broccoli salad balances out richer dishes like a dream.
Want a vegetarian spread? Add it to a plate with my crispy baked tofu bites and some roasted sweet potato wedges. And hey, don’t forget how awesome it is stuffed into a wrap or pita with a smear of hummus and a handful of fresh greens—hello, easy lunch idea!
Whether you’re building a picnic platter, Sunday dinner, or meal prep for the week, broccoli salad brings that satisfying crunch and zing every time.
Crowd-Pleasing Salad Side Dishes to Serve with Any Meal
First up, my Creamy Greek Yogurt Coleslaw is a lightened-up twist on the classic. It’s tangy, crunchy, and gets its creaminess from protein-packed Greek yogurt instead of mayo. It’s the perfect partner for anything BBQ’d—pulled pork, burgers, ribs, you name it. Plus, it holds up great in the fridge, so it’s ideal for make-ahead meal prep or bringing to a picnic.
Now if you’re in the mood for something cozy but still a salad (yes, that’s a thing), my Warm Smashed Potato Salad with Burrata and Creamy Herb Dressing is what dreams are made of. Think crispy smashed baby potatoes tossed in a luscious herby dressing and topped with oozy, creamy burrata. It’s hearty, warm, and totally indulgent—but still feels like a salad. Win-win.
Craving something bright and zesty? You’ve gotta try my Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Lemon-Oregano Vinaigrette. It’s loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, and tender pasta all tossed in a punchy, citrusy dressing. It’s like a Greek salad and pasta had a delicious little baby. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, or just eating straight from the bowl at 10 a.m. (No judgment.)
And if you’re into that fancy-but-easy vibe, the Roasted Garlic Caprese Salad with Balsamic Pesto is calling your name. Sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, roasted garlic cloves (hello flavor bomb), and fresh basil all drizzled with balsamic pesto. It’s rich, savory, and perfect next to grilled steak or chicken. Or honestly? Just grab a fork and dig in.
When summer produce is poppin’, I’m obsessed with my Sweet Corn & Peach Fiesta Salad. It’s sweet, spicy, crunchy, and colorful—basically sunshine in a bowl. Add in a little chili-lime tajín and you’ve got a side that pairs perfectly with tacos, grilled shrimp, or anything smoky and charred.
Spicy food fans, don’t sleep on my Jalapeño Popper Corn Salad. It’s creamy, cheesy, a little spicy, and packed with sweet corn, crispy bacon, and jalapeños. It’s like your fave jalapeño poppers turned into a scoopable side dish—and yes, it’s every bit as addicting as it sounds.
Let’s not forget my Floating Salad with Cucumber, Tomato, and Red Onions, topped with an herby apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for potlucks, backyard BBQs, or any time you wanna bring something a little nostalgic (and surprisingly delicious) to the table.
If you love Mexican street corn, then you need my Street Corn Salad in your life. It’s smoky, creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh cilantro, cotija cheese, lime juice, and a kick of chili powder. Serve it next to tacos, fajitas, or grilled anything. It’s basically elote in salad form—and yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds.
More of a comfort food kinda eater? My Loaded Potato Salad is calling your name. We’re talking crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, and a creamy dressing that ties it all together. It’s hearty, savory, and feels like a backyard cookout in every bite.
And finally, for something a little more wholesome (but still loaded with flavor), my Butternut Squash Kale Salad with Maple Cider Dressing is everything. You get spiced pine nuts, goat cheese, crispy kale, tart dried cranberries and a sweet-tangy maple cider vinaigrette that makes it all sing. It’s cozy, nourishing, and perfect for fall dinners or holiday spreads.