This Broccoli Crunch Salad is fresh and veggie-packed, with a sweet-and-crunchy vibe that will have everyone coming back for more! With crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets, shredded carrots, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds all tossed in a creamy dressing, this vibrant salad is as stunning as it is delicious.
I just love this Broccoli Crunch Salad. Inspired by the popular broccoli salad from Whole Foods, now you can make it at home for a fraction of the cost (and customize it just how you like it, if you want!)
I’m a huge fan of broccoli salads, but this sweet and crunchy broccoli salad recipe especially has my heart! It’s always the first salad to go at parties, and it’s perfect for potlucks—easy to transport and holds up well in the fridge after making it.
It’s super simple to make, too. Just chop up your veggies, mix up your dressing, and mix it all together. Done in 20 minutes!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Crowd pleaser – Even people who aren’t so sure about broccoli love this salad! The combo of crunchy broccoli and cauliflower, salty sunflower seeds, sweet cranberries and creamy dressing is irresistibly good.
- Perfect for potlucks – This Broccoli Crunch Salad recipe is easy to scale and super portable, making it an excellent choice for potlucks. Plus, it’s lower in carbs, dairy-free, and gluten-free—which makes it great for those with special diets!
- Wholesome dish – This crunchy broccoli salad is such a delicious way to get a serving (or two!) of veggies! It’s a great side dish for a variety of meals, but hearty enough to work as a main dish, too (I love it for lunch!)
- Make-ahead – The ingredients in this broccoli salad hold up really well, making it a great choice for meal prep.
What is Broccoli Crunch Salad?
Popularized by Whole Foods, this is a salad made with a broccoli base, combined with other crunchy veggies and a creamy dressing. There are also packaged broccoli crunch salad sold in many super markets, but this homemade version has the BEST flavor!
Recipe Notes
This Broccoli Crunch Salad recipe is as simple as promised! Just 7 ingredients plus a simple dressing for a family friendly salad.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Broccoli Crunch Salad to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
For the salad:
- Broccoli– You’ll want about 1/2 pound of broccoli. Look for fresh, dark green florets that are firm and not wilted.
- Cauliflower– You’ll need 1/4 pound of cauliflower. Try to find a head of cauliflower that doesn’t have many brown spots, but if it does, just cut them off with a knife.
- Carrots– Peel your carrots then grate them using the large holds on a box grater, or you can purchase carrots pre-grated in the produce section of your local grocery store.
- Onion– I prefer the taste and color that red onion brings to this Broccoli Crunch Salad. Sweet onion is nice, too.
- Sunflower seeds– You’ll want roasted sunflower seeds, which add nice flavor and crunch.
- Dried cranberries– Look for dried sweetened cranberries.
- Bacon– You’ll need 1/3 cup of crispy bacon bits, from about 4 slices of cooked bacon. Try my Perfect Crispy Bacon in the Oven for the most amazing crispy bacon!
For the dressing:
- Mayonnaise– Grab your favorite brand of mayo.
- Apple cider vinegar– Adds a zippy tang to the dressing. In a pinch, you can substitute white vinegar.
- Sugar– Just a bit adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing.
- Salt & Pepper
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Vegetarian Broccoli Crunch Salad – Omit the bacon for a fully vegetarian version of this broccoli salad.
- Broccoli Crunch Salad with Edamame – Add a cup of cooked, shelled edamame for a protein boost.
- Apple Broccoli Crunch Salad – Toss in a cubed apple like honeycrisp or Fuji for an extra dose of sweet, crisp flavor.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Broccoli Crunch Salad.
Add the broccoli and cauliflower to a large bowl.
Add the onion, cranberries, and carrots.
Toss in the sunflower seeds and bacon, then drizzle the dressing over the top.
Toss until well-coated and transfer to a serving bowl if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Cut the broccoli & cauliflower into bite-size pieces – Aim for 1/2- to 1-inch pieces.
- When prepping ahead, leave the bacon out – If not serving immediately, you can leave out the bacon and prepare the salad, then chill. Once ready to serve stir in the bacon.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Buy pre-chopped veggies – You should be able to find all of the veggies for this Broccoli Crunch Salad recipe pre-chopped in the produce section at your grocery store. That’ll make prep lightning quick!
- Prep-ahead ideas – To make prep super easy, cook up your bacon in advance (even better, just cook up four extra pieces at breakfast time!) and whip up your dressing, keeping it in the fridge until it’s time to make the salad.
What to Serve with Broccoli Crunch Salad
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of crisp veggies and smoky bacon, it will pair well with many of your favorite classic side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Broccoli Crunch Salad Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Recipe FAQ’s
Is it safe to eat raw broccoli?
Yes, it is safe to eat raw broccoli. Be sure to wash it well!
How to cut up broccoli for broccoli salad?
Hold your broccoli up by the stem, with the florets upside down on the cutting board, and cut the florets, with 1-2″ of stem, off of the main stem. Then, cut the florets down into smaller pieces by cutting through the stem only then separating the pieces with your hands (this helps to preserve 100% of the florets.)
More EASY Salad Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy salad recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Bacon Ranch Broccoli Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Creamy Southern Coleslaw
- 4-Bean Curry Quinoa Salad
Broccoli Crunch Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces broccoli, cut into small florets (4-5 cups)
- 4 ounces cauliflower, cut into small florets (2-3 cups)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 4 slices bacon cooked crispy and crumbled, (about 1/3 cup crumbled)
For the dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, red onion, sunflower seeds, cranberries, and bacon.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well until everything is coated in the dressing.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Dried cranberries: Pomegranate arils or golden raisins are both great substitutes.
- Sunflower seeds: Roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or pistachios are also delicious.
- Apple cider vinegar: White vinegar can be substituted.
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