If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s bursting with fresh, creamy, crunchy goodness, Amish Broccoli Salad is exactly what you need to try. This delightful salad combines vibrant broccoli florets with a perfectly balanced dressing, crispy bacon, and just a touch of sweetness, creating a dish that’s easy to make yet incredibly impressive. Whether you’re heading to a potluck, planning a family picnic, or simply craving a refreshing side, Amish Broccoli Salad offers a unique blend of flavors and textures that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright and Refreshing: The crisp broccoli and crunchy add-ins deliver a fresh, satisfying bite every single time.
Creamy with a Tangy Twist: A luscious dressing anchored by mayonnaise and a hint of sweetness perfectly coats each ingredient.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You don’t need fancy or hard-to-find items to create this crowd-pleaser.
Versatile for Any Occasion: This salad shines from casual family meals to holiday gatherings and potlucks alike.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance and let the flavors meld for even more deliciousness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Amish Broccoli Salad lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient contributes a vital role to the overall taste, texture, and appearance, making this dish both irresistible and easy to assemble.

Fresh broccoli florets: The star of the salad, providing vibrant green color and a satisfying crunch.
Cooked and crumbled bacon: Adds smoky richness and crisp texture that balances the creamy dressing.
Red onion: Offers a bit of sharpness to cut through the richness and add bite.
Sunflower seeds or chopped nuts: Brings an extra layer of crunch and nuttiness for depth.
Cheddar cheese cubes or shredded cheddar: Lends a subtle sharpness and creamy texture.
Raisins or dried cranberries: Provide a touch of natural sweetness that harmonizes the flavors.
Mayonnaise and sour cream: The creamy base that binds ingredients and adds richness.
Apple cider vinegar and sugar: Adds a gentle tang and subtle sweetness to balance the creaminess.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all flavors.

Variations for Amish Broccoli Salad

One of the best things about Amish Broccoli Salad is how adaptable it is. Whether you want to tweak it for diet preferences or just experiment with new flavors, this recipe welcomes creativity to suit your taste buds.

Dairy-Free Version: Swap mayo and sour cream for vegan alternatives to keep the creaminess without dairy.
Nut-Free Option: Substitute sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds to avoid nuts while maintaining crunch.
Extra Crunch: Add crispy fried onions on top just before serving for an added crispy surprise.
Fruit Twist: Swap raisins for chopped apples or fresh grapes to add freshness and juiciness.
Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of cayenne or a little diced jalapeño for those who like heat.

How to Make Amish Broccoli Salad

Step 1: Prep the Broccoli

Start by washing and chopping fresh broccoli into small, bite-sized florets; this ensures they’re easy to eat and blend nicely with all the other ingredients.

Step 2: Cook and Crumble the Bacon

Fry bacon strips until crisp, drain on paper towels, then crumble them into small pieces for that irresistible smoky crunch.

Step 3: Chop Additional Ingredients

Dice red onion finely, cube or shred cheddar cheese, and if desired, chop nuts or mix in dried fruit to add layers of flavor and texture.

Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and tangy with just the right touch of sweetness.

Step 5: Combine and Toss

Place all the prepared ingredients into a large mixing bowl, pour the dressing over, and toss gently until every bit is coated beautifully.

Step 6: Chill Before Serving

Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour to allow flavors to marry and the broccoli to soften just slightly without losing its crunch.

Pro Tips for Making Amish Broccoli Salad

Use Fresh Broccoli: Choose firm, bright green broccoli heads to keep the salad vibrant and crisp.
Don’t Overdress: Add dressing gradually to avoid sogginess and maintain the salad’s signature crunch.
Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate for a few hours so flavors can meld perfectly.
Cook Bacon Well: Crispy bacon provides a better texture contrast than chewy pieces.
Customize Sweetness: Adjust sugar amount in the dressing to suit your preferred balance of tang and sweet.

How to Serve Amish Broccoli Salad

Garnishes

Sprinkle extra chopped nuts, freshly cracked black pepper, or a few bacon crumbles on top just before serving to enhance appearance and add freshness.

Side Dishes

Amish Broccoli Salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, barbecue ribs, or even as a fresh contrast alongside heavier casseroles and baked dishes.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve it in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a rustic touch, layer it in a clear glass trifle dish for visual appeal, or portion it in mini mason jars to make it grab-and-go friendly for picnics.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Amish Broccoli Salad covered tightly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; stirring before serving helps redistribute dressing.

Freezing

Because of the fresh vegetables and creamy dressing, this salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well—freezing can cause texture and flavor changes.

Reheating

Amish Broccoli Salad is served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not necessary; instead, remove it from the fridge early to take off the chill.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli for Amish Broccoli Salad?

While fresh broccoli is ideal for crunch and flavor, if you use frozen, make sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly to avoid excess moisture that can dilute the dressing.

Is Amish Broccoli Salad healthy?

This salad offers plenty of fiber and vitamins from broccoli along with protein and flavor from bacon and cheese, but keep dressing portions moderate if watching calories.

What can I substitute for bacon in this salad?

Try crispy smoked turkey bacon, tempeh bacon, or even toasted coconut flakes for a vegetarian-friendly alternative that provides smoky crunch.

How far ahead can I make Amish Broccoli Salad?

You can prepare it up to a day in advance, which actually improves flavor melding, but beyond 24-48 hours it may start to get soggy.

Can I make this salad gluten-free?

Yes! All core ingredients naturally contain no gluten—just double-check that bacon and any additional mix-ins are certified gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

Amish Broccoli Salad is truly a gem in any recipe collection: easy to whip up, delightfully fresh, and so versatile you’ll find yourself making it again and again. Whether you’re after a quick side or a dazzling dish for your next gathering, this salad delivers that perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tangy that’s simply irresistible. Don’t wait—grab the ingredients and give Amish Broccoli Salad a try today. Your taste buds will thank you!

Amish Broccoli Salad

Print Recipe

Amish Broccoli Salad is a fresh, creamy, and crunchy side dish that combines vibrant broccoli florets with a tangy, slightly sweet dressing, smoky bacon, cheddar cheese, and crunchy nuts or seeds. Perfect for potlucks, family picnics, or holiday gatherings, this easy-to-make salad balances flavors and textures that delight every palate. It’s versatile, make-ahead friendly, and can be customized to suit dietary preferences.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizers
Method: No cooking required except for frying bacon
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

4 cups fresh broccoli florets (bite-sized)
6 strips cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1/4 cup sunflower seeds or chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)
1 cup cheddar cheese cubes or shredded cheddar
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Prep the Broccoli: Wash and chop fresh broccoli into small, bite-sized florets to ensure they are easy to eat and blend nicely with the other ingredients.
Cook and Crumble the Bacon: Fry bacon strips until crisp, drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces to add smoky richness and crunchy texture.
Chop Additional Ingredients: Finely dice the red onion, cube or shred the cheddar cheese, and if desired, chop nuts or mix in dried fruit like raisins or cranberries.
Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined, creating a tangy dressing with a touch of sweetness.
Combine and Toss: Place all prepared ingredients (broccoli, bacon, onion, nuts, cheese, dried fruit) in a large mixing bowl, pour the dressing over, and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften slightly while retaining crunch.

Notes

Use fresh, firm, bright green broccoli to keep the salad vibrant and crisp.
Add dressing gradually to prevent sogginess and maintain crunch.
Refrigerate thoroughly to meld flavors perfectly before serving.
Cook bacon until very crispy for the best texture contrast.
Adjust sugar amount in the dressing to balance tanginess and sweetness according to your preference.
This salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance for better flavor melding but is best eaten within 1-2 days.
Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; stir before serving to redistribute dressing.
This salad does not freeze well due to fresh vegetables and creamy dressing.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 210
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: Amish Broccoli Salad, broccoli salad, creamy broccoli salad, potluck salad, bacon broccoli salad, crunchy salad, make-ahead salad, gluten free salad