Description

Crunchy, creamy Amish Broccoli Salad combines fresh broccoli florets, crispy bacon, sweet raisins, and a tangy creamy dressing. This vibrant side dish is easy to prepare, kid-friendly, and perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or casual gatherings. Its fresh ingredients and balanced flavors make it a versatile and crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Fruits

4 cups fresh broccoli florets (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup raisins
Optional: 1 cup shredded carrots or chopped celery (for extra crunch and color)
Optional: ½ cup chopped apples or dried cranberries (for a fruit twist)

Meat & Nuts

6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
Optional: ⅓ cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds (toasted for extra flavor)
Optional (nut-free): substitute nuts/seeds with pumpkin seeds or hemp hearts

Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise/Greek yogurt for dairy-free)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Add-ins

Chili flakes or diced jalapeño (for spicy kick)

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Instructions

Prepare the Broccoli: Rinse fresh broccoli thoroughly and cut into small, bite-sized florets. Pat dry or drain excess water to ensure extra crispness in the salad.
Cook the Bacon: Cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels then crumble into small pieces for easy mixing.
Slice the Onion: Thinly slice a small red onion to maintain mild, subtle sharpness that brightens the salad without overpowering other flavors.
Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss broccoli florets, bacon bits, sliced onion, raisins, and optional nuts or seeds. Add any additional veggies or fruit if using.
Add Dressing and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.

Notes

Use fresh broccoli instead of frozen for best crunch and flavor.
Chilling the salad for at least one hour intensifies flavors and softens the raw onion slightly.
Adjust sugar in the dressing to balance vinegar’s tartness to your preference.
For crispier bacon, bake bacon on a sheet pan instead of skillet.
Lightly toast nuts or seeds before adding to enhance their flavor and crunch.
To make vegan: use vegan mayonnaise and substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon.
Omit raisins if desired or replace with dried cranberries or chopped dates for natural sweetness.
Do not freeze the salad as freezing affects texture and flavor.
Serve chilled or at room temperature; do not reheat.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 190 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 320 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg