Savory Broccoli Salad with Miracle Whip

Here’s my go-to broccoli salad recipe that combines fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, and creamy Miracle Whip dressing, with a few simple add-ins that make it extra special.

This broccoli salad has become a regular at our summer BBQs and potlucks. I always make a big batch because it disappears fast, and honestly, it tastes even better the next day once all the flavors have had time to come together.

What Kind of Broccoli Should I Use?

Fresh broccoli is definitely the way to go for this salad – while you might be tempted to use frozen broccoli to save time, it won’t give you that perfect crisp-tender texture that makes this salad so good. Look for broccoli heads that are deep green with tight, compact florets and no yellowing spots. You can use both the florets and the stems (just peel the tough outer layer of the stems first), though many folks prefer just the florets for this type of salad. To prep your broccoli, cut it into bite-sized pieces that are roughly the same size so they’re easy to eat and will absorb the dressing evenly. If you want to save some prep time, many grocery stores now offer pre-cut fresh broccoli florets in the produce section.

Options for Substitutions

This classic broccoli salad is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can switch up:

• Miracle Whip: If you’re not a Miracle Whip fan, regular mayonnaise works great too. Just note that you might want to add an extra teaspoon of sugar since Miracle Whip is sweeter than mayo.
• Raisins: Not into raisins? Try dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even halved red grapes for that sweet pop of flavor.
• Red onion: You can swap red onion with sweet white onion or green onions if that’s what you have. Just remember that white onions are stronger, so you might want to use a bit less.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon works fine here, or for a vegetarian version, try some smoky tempeh bacon or just add extra sunflower seeds for crunch.
• Sunflower seeds: Feel free to use chopped pecans, sliced almonds, or pepitas instead. Any crunchy nut or seed will do the job!
• White vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar can step in for white vinegar – they’ll add a slightly different but still tasty tang to your salad.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when preparing broccoli salad is using large, unwieldy florets that make the salad difficult to eat – instead, cut your broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces about the size of a quarter. A common error is adding the bacon and sunflower seeds too early, which can make them lose their crunch, so it’s best to fold these in just before serving. To keep your salad from becoming watery, make sure to thoroughly dry the broccoli after washing it, and if you’re making it ahead, wait to add the dressing until about an hour before serving – this gives the flavors time to blend while keeping everything crisp. For the best texture and taste, let the prepared dressing mixture (Miracle Whip, vinegar, and sugar) chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before combining it with the vegetables, as this allows the sugar to fully dissolve and the flavors to meld together.

What to Serve With Broccoli Salad?

This creamy broccoli salad makes a perfect side dish for summer cookouts and casual dinners. It pairs really well with grilled meats like chicken, burgers, or hot dogs since the cool, crunchy texture offers a nice contrast to anything hot off the grill. For a simple weeknight dinner, serve it alongside a rotisserie chicken and some crusty bread. You can also bring it to potlucks or picnics as it travels well and tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld in the fridge for a few hours.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This broccoli salad tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle! Pop it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just keep in mind that the bacon and sunflower seeds might lose their crunch over time, so you might want to add those right before serving.

Make Ahead: Want to prep this salad in advance? Mix all ingredients except the bacon and sunflower seeds, and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just toss in the crunchy toppings and give it a good stir. This way, everything stays fresh and crispy!

Serving Tip: If you’re taking this to a potluck or picnic, keep it cool in an ice-packed cooler. The Miracle Whip dressing can get a bit warm and runny if left out at room temperature for too long. Give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	120-135 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 15-20 g
• Fat: 50-55 g
• Carbohydrates: 75-85 g

Ingredients

For the salad base:

• 3 oz raisins (sun-dried, prefer California Raisins brand)
• 4 cups broccoli florets (freshly cut into bite-sized pieces for best texture)
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion (finely chopped for milder flavor)

For the dressing:

• 2 tbsp sugar (granulated sugar, such as Domino brand)
• 1 cup Miracle Whip dressing
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

For the toppings:

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (crispy and drained well)
• shelled and salted sunflower seeds

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Begin by washing the broccoli thoroughly.

Chop the broccoli into bite-size florets.

Next, chop the onion.

Combine the chopped broccoli and onion in a large bowl with the raisins.

This will form the base of your salad.

Step 2: Cook and Crumble the Bacon

Cook the bacon according to the directions on the package until it is crispy.

Once cooked, let the bacon cool down, then crumble it into pieces.

Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, combine the Miracle Whip, vinegar, and sugar.

Mix these ingredients well to form a smooth dressing.

Pour the dressing over the broccoli mixture in the large bowl.

Toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.

Step 4: Chill the Salad

Cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours.

This will allow the flavors to meld together and enhance the taste of the salad.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with sunflower seeds for an added crunch.

Once the sunflower seeds are added, serve the salad and enjoy your flavorful creation!