Easy Crunchy Parmesan Broccoli Salad

This Easy Crunchy Parmesan Broccoli Salad is the absolute best broccoli salad you can make. Fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, red onion, cranberries, pine nuts, parmesan, and the easiest creamy dressing. You’re going to crave this side all summer long!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2022 and has been republished with all new photos.

I am super picky when it comes to broccoli salad. I think most are too heavy on the mayo and sugar for my liking. But this broccoli salad is a game changer. I could eat a vat of this. Maybe lounge in it like it was a ball pit and I was a kid with no fear of germs. You get the idea. (Clearly I’m no good at analogies.)

The only cooking required here is getting that bacon crispy. You can do that however you like – oven, air fryer, or stove top. While the bacon cooks, stir together your dressing ingredients and chop the broccoli and red onion. Then it’s time to assemble everything!

Broccoli, red onion, and pine nuts give us that crunch. Dried cranberries bring a little sweetness and some chewiness to every bite. Then of course there’s the parmesan. It needs to be the grated parmesan you grew up adding to the top of your spaghetti. Those granules cling to every forkful so you can really taste it!

And now the tangy dressing. The dressing is the best part in my opinion. It adds a creaminess that is so good with the crunchy veggies. We start with a little mayo but instead of sugar we’re using maple syrup to sweeten things up. (Trust me, you won’t get any maple flavor in this.) Apple cider vinegar and seasonings round out the dressing. Everything works together to give us the absolute best broccoli salad.

This favorite salad made from simple ingredients is dreamy summer perfection. You’ll love it. Add it to your menu for family gatherings, summer picnics, or a backyard bbq. It’s also a fun addition to any holiday meal!

Ingredients for Parmesan Broccoli Salad

• Broccoli florets: You’ll need fresh broccoli florets for this easy side dish. Find them in the produce section of your grocery store.
• Red onion: Diced red onion adds freshness and more crunch to this salad.
• Dried cranberries: I love dried cranberries in this dish but you can swap for golden raisins or any raisin variety if that’s what you have. I think you’ll find the cranberries to be a bit more fun and a great color contrast though so it’s my recommendation.
• Pine nuts: Pine nuts are the the right size and crunchiness for this . You can swap for slivered almonds or pumpkin seeds if you prefer.
• Parmesan cheese: Grated parmesan cheese makes this broccoli salad extra special. I love the saltiness of it in here!
• Mayo: We’re only use a half cup mayonnaise here. That’s plenty to add a creaminess to this crunchy side. Use whatever mayonnaise you like. I personally prefer a light mayo.
• Maple syrup: Instead of sugar I like to sweeten this dressing with maple syrup.
• Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar balances out the sweetness of the maple syrup and ensures our dressing doesn’t taste like mayo. You can use red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar if that’s what you have.
• Seasonings: Ground mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper are the only seasonings you need to flavor the creamy dressing that coats our broccoli salad.

How to Make Parmesan Broccoli Salad

Add the mayo, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, ground mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper to a medium bowl and stir until well combined.

To make this crunchy broccoli salad recipe, start by chopping the broccoli florets into smaller pieces. (I like about ¾-inch pieces.) Add to a large bowl. Stir in the parmesan, dried crandberries, pine nuts, diced red onion, and chopped cooked bacon.

Use a spatula to pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture, scraping any remaining dressing from the sides of the bowl so you don’t miss any. Stir to coat the broccoli.

Store this delicious salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Can be served immediately but it’s best if it sits for at least an hour.

Tips for the Perfect Broccoli Salad

• Chop the broccoli. If your broccoli florets are too large then some of your bites will end up being just broccoli. That’s not what we want, friends. Let’s chop that broccoli so you can get a little bit of everything on your fork.
• Dice the red onion. The onion should add to the finished dish but not dominate it. So dice it up to avoid any large chunks of onion.
• Make the broccoli salad ahead of time. You can serve broccoli salad right away and it will be delicious, but it’s even better after it’s had time to sit. The dressing softens the broccoli some (it’s still crunchy but not quite as crunchy) and the flavors all absorb. I think it’s best after sitting for a few hours.
• Give it a good stir before serving. Stirring when you’re ready to enjoy will ensure your broccoli is fully coated with all the good stuff.

Can You Make Parmesan Broccoli Salad in Advance?

Yes! The flavors get more pronounced as it sits so making this a few hours before you plan to enjoy it is a good idea (but not mandatory). Refrigerate leftover broccoli salad in an airtight container and enjoy the next day if you like! Stir before serving.

How to Serve Parmesan Broccoli Salad

This easy broccoli salad is so good paired with my Ultimate Marinated Grilled Chicken or Cilantro Turkey Burgers. Basically serve this with anything grilled!

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