It’s that time of the year for Memorial Day, graduations, Father’s Day, backyard parties, and picnics. And this Sweet & Savory Broccoli Salad will be a BIG hit at your next special event!
This is the iconic broccoli salad you find at many summer parties. And it’s so yummy because of a delicious combination of crunchy broccoli, savory bacon, sweet onion and carrots, salted sunflower kernels, and plump golden raisins with a creamy sweet & tangy dressing.
Oh, my goodness…it’s just simply the BEST!
I asked my sister, Charlene for this recipe because I enjoyed it so much at a party she had some time ago. I’m telling you, it was the best broccoli salad I’ve ever had!
I haven’t had this salad in a while but when I tasted it, it was exactly how I remembered it – ridiculously GOOD! So, thank you, Charlene, for the great broccoli salad recipe, we really appreciate it!
So, let’s make it!
- Over a skillet cut 1/2 lb of bacon into pieces. Cook and stir over medium heat until crispy.
- Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- Rinse and chop 2 heads of broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces (approximately 7 cups), and place them in a large bowl.
Pro Tip: Don’t throw away these wonky looking broccoli stems, just put them in a bag and refrigerate to keep them fresh. The discarded stems and a small head of broccoli makes great broccoli rice.
Which is a healthy low-carb recipe! Hey, if you haven’t already done so, make sure to sign up for our newsletter below!
- To the broccoli add; 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion, 1/2 cup grated carrot, 1/2 cup roasted & salted sunflower kernels and 3/4 cup packed golden raisins.
Pro Tip: To get your onions evenly and finely chopped, I highly recommend using the Vidalia Chop Wizard (affiliate link) with the smaller chopping plate.
I’ve had mine for years and I love it because it makes chopping onions, peppers, and eggs a snap. And the bottom container measures your ingredients as you chop!
Dressing
- In a separate bowl add; 1 cup light mayonnaise, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1/8 tsp salt, whisk together well.
- Pour the dressing over all the ingredients. Toss thoroughly, taste and season with a little more salt, if desired.
Scoop into a pretty serving bowl and enjoy! I brought this broccoli salad to my other sister, Darlene (yes, they’re twins) for a birthday dinner she had for me last Wednesday and everyone really loved it. As a matter of fact, there was only a little bit left!
We hope you try our Sweet & Savory Broccoli Salad and enjoy it as much as we do. If you make it, please snap a picture and tag us on social media @MySweetMission or #MySweetMission. We’d love to see it!
Also, please consider giving this recipe a star rating, sharing it or leaving a comment. Thanks, we really appreciate it!
Sweet & Savory Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb (226.8 g) bacon, chopped, cooked and drained (approximately 2/3 cup cooked)
- 2 (2 ) heads broccoli (approximately 7 cups broccoli florets)
- 1/2 cup (80 g) finely chopped sweet onion (1/2 medium onion)
- 1/2 cup (64 g) grated carrot (1 medium carrot)
- 1/2 cup (67.5 g) roasted & salted sunflower kernels
- 3/4 cup (108.75 g) golden raisins, packed
Dressing
- 1 cup (224 g) light mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (100 g) white sugar
- 2 tbsp (29.57 ml) red wine vinegar, or white vinegar
- 1/8 tsp (0.62 ml) salt
Instructions
- Over a skillet cut 1/2 lb of bacon into pieces. Cook and stir over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- Rinse and chop 2 heads of broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces (approximately 7 cups), and place them in a large bowl.
- To the broccoli add; 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion, 1/2 cup grated carrot, 1/2 cup roasted & salted sunflower kernels and 3/4 cup packed golden raisins.
Dressing
- In a separate bowl add; 1 cup light mayonnaise, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1/8 tsp salt, whisk together well.
- Pour the dressing over all the ingredients. Toss thoroughly, taste and season with a little more salt, if desired.
- Cover and chill 1 hour. Scoop into a pretty serving bowl and enjoy!
Notes
- Don't throw away the broccoli stems, just put them in a bag and refrigerate to keep them fresh. The discarded stems and a small head of broccoli makes great broccoli rice, which is a recipe I'll be sharing soon!
- To get your onions evenly and finely chopped, I highly recommend using the Vidalia Chop Wizard (affiliate link) with the smaller chopping plate.
Nutrition
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More delicious salad recipes to enjoy!
Dorito Taco Salad
21 Make-Ahead Salads for BBQs, Picnics and Potlucks
Homestyle Potato Salad
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