Are you ready to take your broccoli salad game to the next level? Look no further! Discover the ultimate recipe for a classic Southern side dish with a twist. This old-fashioned broccoli salad with bacon, raisins, sunflower seeds, and cheese is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Classic Broccoli Salad
Get ready for a blast from the past! This amazing old-fashioned broccoli salad will transport you to the good ol’ days. Loaded with crispy bacon, red onion, sweet raisins, and crunchy sunflower seeds, all tossed in a delightful sweet dressing, this salad is a true flavor explosion.
If you can’t find sunflower seeds at your local grocery store, don’t worry. It’s an optional ingredient, and the salad will still be delicious without them.
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Raisins
Imagine enjoying a sweet and savory broccoli salad on any regular day of the week. It’s the perfect accompaniment to summer BLTs or a hot summer cookout with hot dogs and hamburgers. But that’s not all! This versatile dish shines on special occasions too. Serve it alongside steaks or pulled pork on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, and it pairs beautifully with Easter ham. And for Thanksgiving, it’s the ideal light salad to balance out all those heavy carbs.
I think it’s safe to say that broccoli salad is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
Sweet Dressing for Broccoli Salad
The secret to this exceptional recipe lies in the sweet dressing that coats the broccoli salad. It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring just three ingredients. And guess what? You can use the same dressing for other salads too. It has a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of Grandma’s Deviled Eggs.
Are you ready for the secret ingredient? It’s sugar! Yes, that’s right. Don’t be afraid of a little sweetness. It’s what makes this salad truly amazing.
Ingredient List for Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Raisins
Here’s what you’ll need to make this mouthwatering salad:
- Fresh Broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- Red Onion, finely diced
- Real Bacon, fried crispy and crumbled
- Sunflower Seeds (optional)
- Mayonnaise
- White Vinegar
- White Sugar
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
How to Make Broccoli Salad with Raisins and Sunflower Seeds
Making this delectable salad is easier than you think. Just follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets, finely dice the red onion, and fry and crumble the bacon.
- In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, onion, bacon, raisins, and sunflower seeds.
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, white vinegar, and white sugar to make the broccoli salad dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture and stir until well-coated.
- Refrigerate the salad until chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Right before serving, mix in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper, if desired.
Storage Instructions
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, store them in a large bowl covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days. However, be aware that the texture may change if stored for longer.
For the full ingredient amounts and detailed recipe steps for broccoli salad with raisins and sunflower seeds, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Frequently Asked Questions
To address some common queries, here are answers to a few frequently asked questions:
- For the best flavor, make this classic broccoli salad ahead of time so that the flavors have time to meld together in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to use dark or golden raisins or dried cranberries instead of raisins.
- While red onion is preferred, white or yellow onions can be used as substitutes.
- If you prefer Miracle Whip over regular mayonnaise, go ahead and use it. Just remember to reduce the amount of sugar in the sweet dressing.
- If you want to switch things up, try using cauliflower instead of broccoli for a whole new salad experience.
- Use your favorite type of cheese in this recipe. Cheddar or Colby are excellent choices, and you can add as little or as much as your heart desires.
- To prevent melting the cheese, wait until right before serving to mix it into the salad.
- If desired, you can swap white vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a different flavor profile.
- Fun fact: This salad is a famous West Virginian side dish!
- Don’t forget to check out our Amazon Store for our favorite kitchen and pantry items.
Old Fashioned Vegetable Salad Recipes
If you’re a fan of old-fashioned vegetable salads, we have some other recipes you’ll love:
- Creamy Cucumbers with Mayo Recipe
- Carrot Raisin Salad
- Summer Asparagus Salad
- Southern Vegetable Salad
Favorite Easy Main Dish Recipes
Complete your meal with an easy and delicious main dish. Here are some of our favorite recipes to pair with this fresh salad:
- 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Spiral Ham
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
- Grilled Pork Steak
- Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Steak
- Easy Grilled Chicken Breasts
- 4-Ingredient Baked Chicken Legs
- Easy Steak Marinade
Hungry yet? Get ready for a flavor-packed adventure with this irresistible broccoli raisin bacon salad. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy. So why wait? Whip up a batch of this crowd-pleasing dish and watch everyone’s taste buds dance with delight. Enjoy!
*[BLTs]: Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwiches
