This fresh Broccoli Salad is loaded with chewy cranberries, crispy pancetta, and toasted walnuts, all tossed in a simple homemade dressing. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or BBQs, it’s a delicious side everyone loves.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Broccoli Salad with Cranberries
• 🛒 Ingredients for Broccoli Salad with Cranberries
• 🔪 How to Make Broccoli Salad with Cranberries
• 💡 Tips for Making Broccoli Salad
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Cranberry Broccoli Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Prepare the Broccoli Ahead of Time?
• Do I Have to Blanch the Broccoli, or Can I Use it Raw?
• Can I Make the Dressing in Advance?
• How Can I Make this Salad a Full Meal?
• Why is My Broccoli Mushy after Blanching?
• 🍽️ More Healthy Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Broccoli Salad with Cranberries

• Fresh healthy broccoli
• Sweet chewy cranberries and crispy pancetta
• Toasted walnuts and red onions
• Tossed in an easy homemade dressing
• Perfect for the holidays, potlucks or BBQ's

Broccoli salad doesn’t always get the side dish spotlight it deserves, but this Broccoli Cranberry Salad is here to change that. With fresh broccoli, crispy pancetta, and the sweetness from dried cranberries, it’s got a little something for everyone. Toasted walnuts and thin red onions help give it the perfect combination of flavors and textures.

The creamy homemade dressing is simply incredible. The touch of apple cider vinegar and honey pulls it all together without feeling too heavy. This is the kind of salad that surprises you with just how delicious and satisfying it is, whether it’s for a holiday gathering or just dinner on a busy weeknight.

I love broccoli salad and have other delicious recipes you may want to try. This Broccoli Bacon Salad and this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad are always a hit.

🛒 Ingredients for Broccoli Salad with Cranberries

• Broccoli
• Pancetta
• Dried cranberries
• Walnuts
• Red onion
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Garlic
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey 
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Skillet
• Saucepan
• Whisk

🔪 How to Make Broccoli Salad with Cranberries

Sauté the pancetta in a small skillet, then drain on paper towels while you prepare the broccoli.

Heat a saucepan to boil, then add in the broccoli and boil for 1 minute. 

Remove the broccoli and plunge it into a bowl of ice water. This helps stop the broccoli from cooking and also sets the bright green color. Allow to drain and dry while you make the dressing.

Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic, salt and ground black pepper into a small mixing bowl.

Whisk until combined, then set aside.

Add the broccoli into a large mixing bowl along with the dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, red onion and pancetta.

Pour the dressing over the top.

Toss to combine and allow the flavors to meld in the fridge for at least 1 hour or until you’re ready to serve.

💡 Tips for Making Broccoli Salad

• When sautéing the pancetta, cook it until it’s golden and crispy but not too brown, so it keeps a nice bite in the salad. Draining it on paper towels helps remove excess grease, keeping the salad from being too greasy.

• Though it’s an extra step, blanching the broccoli for just a minute and plunging it into ice water locks in the bright green color and tender-crisp texture. Make sure to drain it thoroughly to avoid excess water in the salad.

• If you end up with a bitter red onion, you can soak the slices in cold water for about 5 minutes before adding them to the salad. Drain them well and rinse with cold water. This will tone them down some.

• For the best flavor, allow the salad to sit in the fridge for at least an hour after tossing. This lets the dressing meld with the broccoli, cranberries, and walnuts.

☑️ Storage Instructions

For storing leftover Broccoli Cranberry Salad, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better after a few hours, so it’s great to make ahead! Just give it a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and keep everything well-coated.

🍴 What to Serve with Cranberry Broccoli Salad

• The smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors of these Barbecue Ribs go perfectly with the creamy broccoli salad.

• Broccoli salad is delicious with burgers, whether it's a classic beef, turkey, or these Quinoa Lentil Burger.

• Tender Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, with a tangy barbecue sauce, is a delicious and hearty match for the salad.

• If you're serving it for the holidays, the cranberries go great with this Sausage Herb Stuffing.

• Tender Pot Roast with the fresh broccoli salad will be a family favorite.

• Air Fryer Pesto Salmon is a delicious and flavorful dish that pairs nicely with the salad flavors and textures.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Bacon: Swap out pancetta for crispy cooked bacon for a slightly smokier flavor.

• Sunflower seeds: Use sunflower seeds instead of walnuts for a nut-free option that still adds a nice crunch.

• Greek yogurt: Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing.

• Raisins: Substitute cranberries with raisins if you prefer a different type of sweetness.

• Cheddar cheese: Add small cubes of cheddar cheese for a creamy, savory twist.

• Apple slices: Thinly sliced apples add an extra fresh, fruity note that pairs well with the broccoli and cranberries.

• Carrots: Add shredded carrots for extra color and crunch.

Can I Prepare the Broccoli Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can blanch the broccoli a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and pat it dry before mixing it into the salad to avoid excess moisture.

Do I Have to Blanch the Broccoli, or Can I Use it Raw?

Blanching helps soften the broccoli slightly and brings out its bright green color, but if you prefer extra crunch, you can skip this step and use raw broccoli.

Can I Make the Dressing in Advance?

Definitely. You can whisk the dressing ingredients together and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Stir it well before adding it to the salad, as some separation may occur.

How Can I Make this Salad a Full Meal?

To make it more filling, add grilled chicken, roasted chickpeas, or cooked quinoa. These add protein and make it a heartier salad.

Why is My Broccoli Mushy after Blanching?

Overcooking will make broccoli soft. To avoid this, boil the broccoli for just 1 minute, then plunge it immediately into ice water. Also, be sure to drain it well to prevent extra moisture from softening it further.

🍽️ More Healthy Salad Recipes

• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• Pickled Beet Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Easy Italian Pasta Salad