This broccoli salad recipe serves as the quintessential make-ahead side dish—fresh, crunchy, and infused with the salty essence of crispy bacon, sweet cranberries, and savory Cheddar cheese. With only a handful of simple ingredients and minimal preparation, you can combine it in mere minutes and allow the flavors to meld in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
It is the ideal side dish for potlucks, meal prepping, or busy weeknights! The entire family is sure to enjoy it!
If you appreciate coleslaw, then you will certainly enjoy this straightforward recipe. This salad features a similarly creamy and tangy dressing to that found in coleslaw, but it surpasses it in flavor. It encompasses all aspects of texture and taste: sweet, savory, tangy, crispy, and crunchy...it has everything to delight your palate.
Moreover, my version includes a unique twist. Many broccoli salad recipes utilize raw broccoli. Once you experience it my way—with blanched broccoli—I am confident you will prefer this method moving forward. Blanching the broccoli eliminates the
Ingredients
Before we begin, let us assemble the necessary ingredients for this recipe:
Ingredients for the Ruby Tuesday Broccoli Salad recipe.
mayonnaise
granulated sugar
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
sweetened dried cranberries
red onion
pecans
Cheddar cheese
Instructions
Now that we have gathered our ingredients, it is time to commence cooking!
First, cook the broccoli in boiling salted water until it turns bright green, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Drain the broccoli and immerse it in a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process. Drain again and allow it to dry.
Cooking bacon in a cast iron skillet.
Next, cook the bacon in a large skillet until it is golden brown and crispy. Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. Once it has cooled, cut the bacon into large bite-sized pieces.
Subsequently, in a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Pouring the broccoli salad dressing over a bowl filled with broccoli, minced red onion, grated Cheddar cheese, bacon, cranberries, and pecans.
Finally, in a large bowl, combine the broccoli, bacon, cranberries, and the remaining ingredients. Drizzle the broccoli salad dressing over the mixture and toss to ensure everything is coated. Cover and refrigerate prior to serving.
Hint: Chop the broccoli into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking and to make it easier to consume.
Substitutions
Do you need to make some ingredient substitutions? Here are a few suggestions:
Fresh broccoli - For convenience, I purchase broccoli florets and trim down any larger pieces. You may also opt for broccoli crowns or whole heads of broccoli and cut them into florets. Alternatively, since the broccoli is blanched, frozen, thawed broccoli florets can also be used.
Apple cider vinegar - If you do not have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute it with regular white vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice vinegar.
Granulated sugar - Honey and maple syrup serve as excellent alternatives to granulated sugar.
Cheddar cheese - If you prefer not to use sharp Cheddar cheese (I typically use yellow Cheddar), Colby-Jack, Monterey Jack, and Gouda are all suitable options.
Red onion - Shallots serve as an excellent alternative to red onion. Alternatively, you may opt for a sweet onion or green onions if that is your preference.
Dried cranberries - Golden raisins or standard raisins make a wonderful substitute for cranberries. Dried cherries are also a viable option.
Pecans - You are welcome to replace the pecans with your preferred nuts or seeds. Walnuts, cashews, peanuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and crunchy sunflower seeds are all excellent choices.
Variations
Explore these methods to modify this fantastic recipe:
Spicy - Incorporate a small amount of cayenne pepper into the dressing to add a spicy kick to this salad.
Vegetarian - To adapt this recipe for a vegetarian diet, simply remove the bacon.
Cauliflower Salad - Cauliflower is just as delightful. Replace the broccoli with cauliflower.
Curried Broccoli Salad - Mix in a bit of curry powder into the dressing to provide a unique twist.
Equipment
Here is the equipment required to prepare this recipe:
- dry measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- paring knife
- large pot
- large bowl
- colander
- tongs
- large skillet
- rimmed baking sheet
- whisk
- medium bowl
Storage
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days. (The broccoli may darken due to the vinegar in the dressing.)
This recipe does not freeze well.
Tasty Tip
This recipe improves in flavor the longer it is stored in the fridge, making it an ideal make-ahead side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How to cut broccoli for broccoli salad?
I prefer to cut the broccoli florets into uniform, bite-sized pieces for easier consumption and even cooking.
How do you prepare the broccoli for this salad?
Rather than leaving the broccoli raw as many broccoli salad recipes suggest, I prefer to blanch it for approximately 1 minute. This method keeps the broccoli firm while enhancing its bright green color and flavor.
Can you use coleslaw dressing for broccoli salad?
Absolutely! Refrigerated coleslaw dressing is a fantastic choice if you have it available.
Why does my broccoli salad get watery?
If the broccoli was not blanched, the broccoli salad may become watery. (Another reason
The sugar and salt present in the dressing will extract moisture from the broccoli; therefore, the longer it remains, the more water will be released from the broccoli (if it is raw).
What complements broccoli salad well?
I enjoy pairing it with a chicken salad sandwich, similar to what is offered at Chicken Salad Chick. It also serves as an excellent barbecue side dish, either as an alternative to or in addition to coleslaw.
Related
Consider trying these:
Broccoli and cheese casserole presented in a white oval dish atop a wooden board, accompanied by a wooden-handled spoon, a green checked cloth, and a stack of plates with a green napkin.
A wooden-rimmed platter filled with a copycat Cracker Barrel Kale and Brussels Sprouts salad, featuring two wooden spoons, a blue-rimmed linen napkin, a bowl of salad, and salt and pepper shakers positioned nearby.
A white bowl containing Creamy Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Fresh Tuna, complemented by blue chevron napkins, silverware, a glass of water, and a bowl of shredded Parmesan cheese.
Creamy Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Fresh Tuna
Three white plates with blue dot rims, showcasing Roasted Beet and Watermelon Salad on a basket-weave surface, along with two blue glasses and a small bowl of dressing accompanied by a wooden spoon.
Pairing
Here are my preferred dishes to accompany this broccoli salad:
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Style Pork Spare Ribs displayed on a wooden board, complete with a basting brush and a metal bowl of extra sweet and sour sauce.
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Style Pork Spare Ribs
Pinto bean burgers arranged on a white board lined with white parchment paper, with a pitcher and glasses of ice in the background.
The Ultimate cheeseburger featuring bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and grilled onions served on a red-rimmed enamel plate.
Chicken Salad Chick Sassy Scotty recipe served on croissants presented on a blue-rimmed plate.
RECIPE GUIDELINES AND TEST KITCHEN TIPS
When creating and evaluating recipes, here are several important practices I follow to achieve greater success in the kitchen:
Ensure that you utilize dry measuring cups for ingredients such as flour, sugar, and mayonnaise, while employing a liquid measuring cup for items like water, milk, and broth.
When measuring dry components like flour and powdered sugar that may compact, gently spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level it off with a knife instead of scooping directly from the container.
I conduct my recipe testing and development using a conventional electric oven and a standard gas stovetop. Please note that if you opt for an electric stovetop or a convection oven, your baking times may vary.
When recipes specify kosher salt, I prefer to use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Food safety
Lastly, remember to adhere to these food safety guidelines while preparing this recipe.
Avoid leaving food at room temperature for prolonged periods.
Never leave food that is being cooked unattended.
Always ensure proper ventilation when operating a gas stove.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup hot water
- 4 tlbs. sugar
- 4 tlb. vinegar
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 heads broccoli cut into small pieces
- 16oz sharp cheddar cheese cut up
- 2 lbs bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 medium red onion minced
Put broccoli in a bowl.
Dissolve sugar in hot water.
Pour over broccoli
Add remaining ingredients mix well, refrigerate for a couple hours and the Ruby Tuesday recipe is ready to serve...great ! Enjoy it !
ruby-tuesdays-white-chicken-chili
